The regular 8 month lobster season is always august 6 through march 31. Jul 28, 2016 since lobster season has recently opened, i thought a how to catch fl lobster article would be timely for anyone considering a trip down to the keys check out all of my best lobster tips below. Have your saltwater fishing license on you at all times, with the required spiny lobster tag. When the special twoday spiny lobster sport season opens is held each year the last wednesday and thursday in july, thousands of scuba divers and snorkelers head to the florida keys hoping to bag their limit before the regular season opens in august. One of the first arrests of the 2018 lobster miniseason happened about an hour before the season actually began. The best lobster in central florida updated may 2020. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water. This is a time when lobstering is open to recreational harvesters only. Jul 23, 2018 florida lobster mini season is july 25th and 26th. Lobster species, lobstering gear, where to find lobsters, hazards, regulations. Lobster charters dirty boat islamorada florida keys.
Current 20192020 recreational lobster fishing information. Floridas legendary spiny lobster miniseason runs from the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. How to catch lobster in the florida keys without scuba tanks. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. Carapace must be larger than 3, measured in the water. Florida spiny lobster regulations tulas endless summer. Regulations for recreational harvest and lobster information for monroe county monroe county.
Unless exempt, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest. Florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020 eregulations. The carapace, or the lobsters body shell, must be larger than 3 inchesmeasure the carapace from the edge between the rostral horns to the edge. Call him today to discuss when to go and where he runs his lobster charters. Oct 24, 2017 mini lobster season is about to kick off in the florida keys, and man are we ready to get our hands on some fresh florida lobster. The regular lobster season in the florida keys is always august 6 through march 31. Late season lobster catch and cook florida sportsman. Our lobster trips can be booked in 4, 6 or 8 hour blocks and we can take up to 6 people per trip.
July 25th july 26th book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event. The 2021 mini lobster season like all lobster mini seasons is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. On august 1, the commercial lobstermen are permitted to set their gear and allow it to soak until the opening of regular lobster season, which is august 6. The mini season, is on the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july. Lobster charters in key west tailing water expeditions. In the dry tortugas national park, everglades national park and the florida keys national marine sanctuary lobster fishing is prohibited during both the 2 day mini lobster season and the 8 month regular commercial season regardless of the lobster season florida keys lobstering has common restrictions and florida fishing regulations. Commercial spiny lobster trap fishery lobster trap fishing is important to floridas cultural history and economy. Lobster season in the florida keys florida keys fishing charters. The most popular place to catch lobster in florida is the florida keys, but. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission subject. If this is your first time coming down for lobster season, i would definitely recommend getting a guide to show you the ropes. The most popular place to catch lobster in florida is the florida keys, but that doesnt mean you cant in other places. Jupiter, palm beach, fort lauderdale and miami all have good florida lobstering grounds and a fraction of the divers. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission officers stopped a small boat.
Florida lobster season opens with a twoday recreational miniseason thats your chance to catch the biggest tails before commercial fishermen set their traps. They typically rise this time of year as supplies are tighter before the main fishing season begins. Wherever you are in florida, opening day of mini season is completely nuts. Many areas also have a special sport season for legal recreational fishing of the spiny lobster. How to catch a florida lobster there are numerous ways and techniques to catch a florida spiny lobster. Lobsters are found in all depths of water around florida shallow and deep. The competitive advantage is minimized by the fact that as many as 50,000 other divers invade the states reefs during this intense 48 hours and the hunt takes on the fevered pitch of a. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami herald.
Florida keys spiny lobster spiny crawfish fishing guide. Lobster season kicks off with a 2 day mini season or sportsmanship weekend at the end of july and then opens back up on august 6th for a 9 month season. Your guide to lobster fishing in florida lauderdale divers. Lobsters may be stored and retrieved in excess of this limit, provided fishing activity is not occurring. Florida lobster season opens with a twoday recreational mini season thats your chance to catch the biggest tails before commercial fishermen set their traps.
There is a bag limit of six lobsters per person per. Lobster season is like a big party where everyone is diving in and coming up with some of the best seafood that florida has to offer. Lobster charters in islamorada lobstering chartersbud n. Floridas spiny lobster recreational regulations ufifas extension. With only three days remaining in the season and the winds ramping back up, i figured it would be a good. The recreational lobster fishing season starts at 6. Required licenses include the recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit, unless exempt. Floridas legendary spiny lobster miniseason runs from the last consecutive. Lobster diving in florida every year there is a mass migration of lobster hungry scuba divers to the waters of florida. Jul 23, 2019 florida spiny lobster season underway.
Next year the mini season falls on july 28th and 29th. There is a bag limit of six lobsters per person per day in and off the water. Book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event. We go out to check all our lobster spots in preparation for opening day. South florida has another advantage you can go lobster fishing after sundown. Make sure to always verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife it begins at 12. The best lobster spots are located on the gulf bay side of the middle keys just north of marathon, south of long key and the 7 mile bridge. Harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and in everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, notake areas in the florida keys national marine sanctuary and in the biscayne baycard sound lobster sanctuary during both the 2day sport season and regular season. The mini season, is on the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of. Lobster fishing is a little bit different than regular fishing in that it presents new challenges and requires less equipment.
There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini lobster season and the 8 month regular lobster season. Offlimits fishing areas protect lobsters in florida keys. The last day of the season is march 18, 2020 at 12. Sara at 3053941042 or you can get more information on her website at. Yearround lobster season in southwest florida ufifas. We catch a bunch of lobsters while free diving beautiful reefs, then i show you how to clean a lobster. Lobstering in the florida keys key west lobster charters.
For example, the spiny lobster season runs from august 1 through march 31 in the bahamas, and from august 6 though march 31 in florida. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive. Weve been eating lobster quesadillas every night and ill certainly be back out there before the end of the season. Lobsters are great travelers and they tend to move around more at night. When hunting florida keys spiny lobster in florida, look no further than the florida keys. Florida lobster mini season 2018 snorkeling and scouting. Unlike the caribbean spiny lobster, these other lobsters are unregulated meaning they do not. A twoday lobster mini season takes place the last wednesday and thursday of july each year. Florida saltwater fishing and lobster regulations apply in the park. Jul 29, 2019 my family goes out for florida lobster mini season 2019. Jan 22, 2014 once again, florida lobster season is at hand. Make sure to verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife. Aug 18, 2014 we were able to hit our limit every morning. If youve never taken the opportunity to dive for lobster in south florida, i highly recommend it.
Regular spiny lobster season is august 6 through march 31. Spiny lobster fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Apr 17, 2020 yearround lobster seasons besides the caribbean spiny lobster pannulirus argus, there are 3 other commonly found species of lobster in florida, the spotted spiny lobster panulrius guttatus, spanish lobster scyllarides aequinoctialis and the rigged slipper lobster scyllarides nodifer. Harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and in everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, notake areas in the florida keys national marine sanctuary and in the biscayne baycard sound lobster sanctuary during. Consider tying your lobstering adventure with your florida keys offshore fishing trip when the regular lobster season opens in august. In the dry tortugas national park, everglades national park and the florida keys national marine sanctuary lobster fishing is prohibited during both the 2 day mini lobster season and the 8 month regular commercial season. Floridas spiny lobster recreational regulations ufifas. With trap endorsement, may fish 10 traps per household. Many traps are lost annually due to storms and boat propellers cutting the buoy rope that marks each trap, leading to ghost fishing and habitat damage. First of all, the type of lobster most common in the keys is called spiny lobster. Recreational lobstering in florida florida go fishing. Floridas mini spiny lobster season underway miami, fl patch. Recreational and commercial fishermen alike are on the waters, searching for these delicious florida natives to take to their homes or orlando seafood markets for all to enjoy. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july.
The spiny lobsters, so named for the forwardpointing spines covering their bodies to protect them from predators, are. We find more lobsters than weve ever seen out on the reef. Water depths can vary anywhere between 4 to 12 feet. Dive boats and hotels in the more popular areas tend to fill up pretty quickly, so make plans early. Lobster catching in florida search florida fishing charters. Jul 20, 2019 a saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required. Prices for new england halves a whole lobster weighing 1. Lobster season quick facts when is lobster season in the florida keys.
Florida and florida keys lobstering guide scuba diving. This year the mini season falls on july 29th and 30th. Ive lived in florida now for almost 8 years and this was my first lobster dive. With mangrove shorelines, seagrass meadows, sand flats, reefs and shipwrecks, the park offers diverse fishing experiences. Key west new results from an ongoing study show marine reserves sections of ocean offlimits to harvesting of all sea life are effective at protecting floridas spiny lobster, allowing the tasty crustaceans to grow larger and reproduce at a greater rate, according to a university of florida scientist. Lobster information provided by the fwc and the florida keys fishing directory.
The california spiny lobster panulirus interruptus takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly soughtafter target of both californias recreational and commercial fisheries. Each trying their hand at catching the evasive lobster and bringing home a tasty meal. Via fwc miami, fl florida waters will be teeming with recreational fishermen hoping to bag some of the sunshine states flavorful spiny lobsters. The 2day spiny lobster event is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july, with the regular season opening august 6 th and ending march 31 st. During the florida lobster season, head to hawks cay marina to begin your lobster hunting experience. The mini lobster season is an annual, 2day period that always falls on the last wednesday. Florida lobstering how to catch the florida spiny lobster. If you can snorkel or dive, then you can catch lobster. Regulations require lobster hunters to have a saltwater fishing license and. The park works with the state of florida to promote regulations and ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources.
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