How to catch lobster in the florida keys without scuba. Its a place to brag or bitch about mini season in the. Lobster hunting is however restricted, and the florida lobster season is broken down into 2 parts. I love to eat lobster, but my party doesnt, and we arent interested in catching any. Lobster mini season tropical living by keys weekly. The two days during mini season are certainly the most productive couple days of lobstering we have all year. 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. An epidemic of lust, greed and envy is about to claim tens of thousands of florida divers. Lobster mini season which falls on july 25th and 26th this year, is always the last wednesday and thursday in july, and it usually brings around 25,000 visitors to the florida keys. While final numbers wont be tallied until well after the twoday florida spiny lobster season ends after midnight thursday, the keys saw five arrests related to the annual hunt, dozens of. In the keys, lobster miniseason is a holiday and an.
Whether lobster fishing content keys in the gulf of mexico, the wrecks and reefs of the atlantic, or the shallow key west flats, spiny lobster are abundant everywhere. Florida keys 2012 lobster mini season opens tomorrow the. Thats why it pays to find the right charter operation. Two men caught spearing lobster in key largo before season. There was a nine percent increase in the purchase of lobster stamps for the upcoming season. There numerous ways to find lobster honey holes throughout the keys. Mini lobster season florida keys catch spiny lobster. July 19th 2018 here in key west next week is lobster miniseason, aka sportsman season, again. Thus, it is much more difficult to find the perfect lobster spot. This page was created to gain support to cancel lobster mini season in the florida keys, the devastation of our waters is not worth the. Floridas mini spiny lobster season underway miami, fl florida waters will be teeming with recreational fishermen hoping to bag some of the sunshine states flavorful spiny lobsters. Lobster regulations monroe state attorneys office, fl.
During this two day lobster bonanza, each properly licensed snorkeler and diver is allowed to take up to six legal sized lobsters per day. Florida and florida keys lobstering guide scuba diving. A twoday lobster mini season takes place the last wednesday and thursday of july each year. No fatal accidents during lobster mini season in florida keys. This gives folks like us a chance to catch a few lobster before the commercial traps are put out. Going to the keys and wondering if lobster mini season or right before it will be an issue. Florida keys 2019 lobster mini season is here florida. Lobster charters in key west tailing water expeditions. Properly licensed snorkelers and divers are able to. Three men were arrested by the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission in the florida keys an hour before lobster miniseason began at midnight tuesday. Mini lobster season or spiny lobster sport season is the twoday period that falls on the last wednesday and thursday of the month of july where recreational fisherman can drop nets for their own catch before commercial outfits can. Lobster season in the florida keys hawks cay resort. So far, five arrests in lobster miniseason in fl keys. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini season and the 8.
Mini lobster season is an annual event that falls on the last wednesday and thursday of. The 2017 twoday lobster miniseason got underway at 12. And for anyone who has even been down in the florida keys during miniseason which is a 2 day opening only for recreational snorkelers and divers on the last wed and thursday of july, youve seen the loads of lobster seekers jamming up us 1 from north of key largo all the way to key west. 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. Tens of thousands of amateur spiny lobster hunters are expected to ply the florida keys waters for the tasty bugs wednesday and thursday for the. In addition, please remember that the city of key colony beach prohibits diving and snorkeling during this time. Wednesday and just two and a half hours later, the first resource arrest for the sport diving days in the florida keys occurred. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami. Florida keys lobster season welcome to florida keys, monroe county florida, minilobster season florida keys lobster season is at hand and everyone is excited. Florida keys lobster season, monroe county, sport lobster.
Mini season in the keys is the last wednesday and thursday of july and is open for all noncommercial lobstering. By now there are literally thousands of you all headed to the florida keys for lobster mini season this july 2425 from all across the country. If youre a lobster fan, youll love the possibility of some of the most succulent meals coming up. Its called bug fever and it strikes during miniseason every year on the last wednesday and thursday of july the start of florida spiny lobster season. Mini lobster season in the florida keys, is one of the busiest times of the year. They are related to crabs, shrimp, and other lobsters. To show your pictures and tell your stories good or bad about mini season in the keys.
Theres always a critique among people about miniseason. This is a time when lobstering is open to recreational harvesters only. Miniseason is a nonissue for the lobster population, fwc lobster expert tom matthews said. Welcome to the florida keys treasures lobster page. The mini season dates are always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july and begins at 12. Both safety and nerves are an issue, and accidents can occur both on and off the water.
The spots have not been picked over yet and the commercial fisherman have not put their lobster traps in the water. Every july the coastal areas of florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this years bounty when the offical mini lobster season kicks off. Swarms of lobster hunters flood the florida keys for a chance to get their share of this delicious spiny crustacean. Captain dan and elizabeth head out with matthew, ethan, the neighbors, and heiko and caitlyn south florida fishing channel for day one of lobster mini season. They were getting ready for the twoday event, taking place wednesday and. A father and son on a florida keys getaway landed in trouble for illegally taking lobster before the start of lobster season, police say. Floridas annual lobster miniseason is officially over and in the florida keys, while it was a busy season, there were no fatal accidents, according to the monroe county sheriffs office. Floridas mini spiny lobster season underway miami, fl patch. Mini lobster season, content keys blue turtle trawler. Many of our subscribers ask us all the time how to find lobster, what gear to use, and when is the best time to go. Wednesday with several early birds scoring good starts to the twoday event. Cancel lobster mini season for the florida keys home. The only downside of coming for mini season is that it is a mad house. Lobster season opens for mini season on the last consecutive wednesday and thursday at the end of july and the regular season opens august 6th and closes on april 1.
The florida lobster or spiny crawfish palinurus argus is a crustacean. 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. 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. And theres a reason why they call lobster divers bug hunters. The florida lobster is caught off the florida keys and around the southern tip of the state. However, the lobster miniseason and the first few weeks of the regular lobster season are extremely busy, with nearly 30,000 visitors flocking specifically for the lobstering. Lobster diving in the florida keys at the top of every divers bucket list is lobster season in the florida keys.
Lobstering is a challenging and fun family activity, where all that is required is some snorkel gear, a good breath hold, a stick and net and a lot of energy. Regular spiny lobster season for commercial fishermen lasts for 8 months and. We planned to head west from marathon, on the gulf side, toward content keys for sport lobster season, also known as mini season. Annually, this opening takes place on the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. July 25th july 26th book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event.
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