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 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. Recreational lobstering in florida florida go fishing. Regular spiny lobster season is august 6 through march 31. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. Jul 23, 2019 florida s 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. Spiny lobster season is an exciting time of year to be on the water, said florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc chairman robert spottswood.
Floridas spiny lobster recreational regulations ufifas. The most obvious difference between the two is that the caribbean lobster, which actually ranges from north carolina to brazil, does not have large claws for hunting and defense like the maine or american lobster. The season kicked off in august 2016, following a twoday mini recreational period before commercial traps were placed, and remains open through march. 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. Thats why it pays to find the right charter operation. Then a multitude of divers show up at the scene to catch the precious crustacean. Jul 23, 2018 florida lobster mini season is july 25th and 26th. Florida lobster mini season 2018 snorkeling and scouting. Lobster diving in the florida keys at the top of every divers bucket list is lobster season in the florida keys. Spiny lobster mini season set to begin in florida pinecrest. The caribbean spiny lobster, bugs or the florida spiny lobster lives and reproduce to large quantities on the coral reefs and mangroves of theread more. Snorkeling and diving rules apply on wednesday and thursday but have additional days before and after miniseason by.
There is a bag limit of six lobsters per person per day in and off 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. Lobster mini season 2019 south florida diving headquarters. This is a time when lobstering is open to recreational harvesters only. At the end of every july the phenomenon called mini lobster season takes place. Mar 17, 2019 the spiny lobster season the florida keys lobster season is much awaited here since lobster is such a favored and popular seafood item. While final numbers wont be tallied until well after the twoday florida spiny lobster season ends after. Each trying their hand at catching the evasive lobster and bringing home a tasty meal. If youre a lobster fan, youll love the possibility of some of the most succulent meals coming up. Miami, fl florida will be awash in recreational fishermen wednesday hoping to bag one of the sunshine states flavorful spiny lobsters. Subtlety is the key to achieving perfectly seasoned lobster tails that complement rather than overwhelm the crustaceans light, sweet flavor. A twoday lobster mini season takes place the last wednesday and thursday of july each year. We arrive on the first full week of the season so pickins should be good.
Make sure to always verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife. Aug 20, 2018 lobster season closes from march 31st until august 5th. Catch six spiny lobsters and go out in the same day for six more. This year the mini season falls on july 29th and 30th. Season simply by adding wine or stock to the cooking liquid or by sprinkling sparingly with salt and pepper as the lobster cooks. As members of a true new england seafood destination, we at weathervane seafood restaurants know what our guests like to eat. Jan 25, 2019 in very warm climates, lobster season often occurs in fall and winter, when the water is cooler. Florida s legendary spiny lobster miniseason runs from the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive. They are prevalent in the keys but can also be found on offshore reefs in dade and broward counties and in some areas of the gulf of mexico. The 2018 twoday mini spiny lobster fishing season will. They like to hide inside or under coral crevices and ledges.
There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini lobster season and the 8 month regular lobster season. And theres a reason why they call lobster divers bug hunters. The carapace, or the lobsters body shell, must be larger than 3 inchesmeasure the. Allowable shellfish oysters, clams, mussels harvesting areas are established and managed for public health purposes by the florida department of agriculture and consumer services, division of aquaculture. Rating is available when the video has been rented.
The mini season, is on the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of. Mini lobster season 2018 in islamorada, florida keys youtube. You can get first crack at these tasty crustaceans come july, when the special two day spiny lobster sport season opens or tie your adventure into a florida keys. Shellfish harvesting areas are opened and closed in accordance with the national shellfish sanitation program guidelines, and the open or.
While it can be a lot of fun, there are important things you need. 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. As the temperatures climb after winters chill, lobsters move closer to the shore and into warmer waters. For many, it just begins in earnest with the start of the regular season from august 6 until march 31. Florida lobstering how to catch the florida spiny lobster. Saturday, september 28, 2019 through wednesday, march 18, 2020 reference section 29. However, spiny lobster landed under special permit shall not be sold in the state. South florida is a popular lobster harvesting destination. Locals call spiny lobsters bugs and lobster divers are called bug hunters. Florida lobster, known as the caribbean spiny lobster or the west indies spiny lobster, inhabits tropical and subtropical waters. The state of florida allows divers to hunt for spiny lobsters prior to the commercial season. It usually takes a couple of days to get the first shipment, said rich crepeau, manager of gulfports save on seafood. The caribbean spiny lobster, panulirus argus, ranges from north. Spiny lobster season in florida is an exciting time for residents and locals alike, as well as commercial and recreational fishermen.
What is the best time of year to buy lobster home seafood savvy lobster season. Lobster hunting is however restricted, and the florida lobster season is broken down into 2 parts. We find more lobsters than weve ever seen out on the reef. The mini season, is on the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july. In cooler climates, lobsters are more populous during summer months.
Swarms of lobster hunters flood the florida keys for a chance to get their share of this delicious spiny crustacean. Florida keys lobster season, monroe county, sport lobster. Lobster diving in florida every year there is a mass migration of lobster hungry scuba divers to the waters of florida. The regular 8 month lobster season is always august 6 through march 31. We go out to check all our lobster spots in preparation for opening day. From initial reports, this years lobster miniseason so far has been relatively quiet.
While youre enjoying dives on the reefs and shipwrecks, keep and eye out for bugs. Here are the lobster seasons for some of the biggest lobsterproducing states. Fishermen and divers from all over the state, and even across the country come down to the florida keys area to load up on delicious lobsters. Make sure to always verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife it begins at 12. The regular florida commercial lobster season runs from the 6 of august until the 31 of march, but is a special open sport mini season during the last consecutive wednesdays and thursdays of july, just before the regular season begins on august, when divers can catch lobsters with gloved hands by teasing them out. 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.
Florida spiny lobster season what you need to know. Florida keys lobster season welcome to florida keys, monroe county florida, mini lobster season florida keys lobster season is at hand and everyone is excited. Jul 19, 2018 spiny lobster mini season set to begin in florida pinecrest, fl florida will be awash in recreational fishermen wednesday hoping to bag some of the sunshine states flavorful spiny lobsters. Remove the tail and clean the digestive tract by slipping the lobsters antenna up its butt at the bottom of the tail. We snorkel and catch close to a limit of lobster in islamorada, florida keys.
The state of florida years ago created a short sportsman season to allow recreational users to catch lobsters prior to traps being deployed and commercial season. The regular lobster season is always august 6 through march 31. Mini lobster season florida keys catch spiny lobster. Florida keys lobster season, monroe county, sport lobster season. There, they shed their hard shell and grow more before their new shell. Jul 23, 2019 spiny lobster season is an exciting time of year to be on the water, said florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc chairman robert spottswood. Depending on where you huntcollect, there are different bag limits. What is the best time of year to buy lobster lobstering is done yearround off the coast of maine by the 6000 plus lobstermen mostly working out of small coastal communities. My dad, mom and i were able to catch some lobster for dinner, as. The mini lobster season is an annual, twoday period that always falls on the last wednesday and thursday of july.
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. Jan 25, 2018 as members of a true new england seafood destination, we at weathervane seafood restaurants know what our guests like to eat. Some seafood restaurants do just that to extend their lobster menu past the end of the season march 31. Florida s 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. July 25th july 26th book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event. Miami man caught illegal lobsters in fl keys, fwc says. Related post melt the butter florida spiny lobster season start soon the florida keys have other local rules for miniseason, including no diving or snorkeling near shore in most areas. 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. The spiny lobster that most people think of when diving for lobster is not here.
The mini season dates are always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july and begins at 12. A beautiful day snorkeling and lobstering in sunny fort lauderdale on one of the best reefs. Snorkeling and lobstering ft lauderdale, floridas most. Recreational lobstering doesnt end with the twoday miniseason in july. Some claim the coldwater lobster has a denser, sweeter meat. The regular lobster season in the florida keys is always august 6 through march 31 the mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. The florida spiny lobster season is a time of year that is eagerly anticipated.
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. Book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event. Lobster gauge lobster must be measured underwater before being placed in your game bag. Comprised of two time frames, 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. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. By far, the most popular of our delicious and hearty meals featured on our extensive menus has to be the lobster and luckily, its always lobster season in our restaurants nothing else really compares to lobster season. And while we may not share the same seasonal changes that northerners share, our seasons are just as important. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini sea. Floridas spiny lobster recreational regulations ufifas extension. Between the already sexually mature lobster growing larger, the hatchlings beginning to make their way through their life cycle, and the only pressure on the species, is by their own natural predators. The bag limit or amount of lobsters you can take in monroe county and biscayne national park is 6 per day is 6 per person 12 in other florida waters.
Coronavirus slams floridas lobster industry cbs miami. Florida lobster season opens with a twoday recreational mini season thats your chance to catch the biggest tails before commercial fishermen set their traps. Floridas legendary spiny lobster miniseason runs from the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. Recreational scuba divers and snorkelers get first crack no pun intended at florida lobsters during a special, twoday mini season at the end of july.
The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive. Florida keys lobster season florida keys experience. This 48hour event represents 25 percent of the total annual recreational fishing in florida. The spiny lobster s carapace, the part of the body that is not the tail, must be at least three inches long to keep.
Aug 05, 2018 the stanzfam goes lobstering on the second day of mini lobster season 2018 with frank, elizabeth, nicky, and matt. Floridas mini spiny lobster season underway miami, fl patch. Floridas spiny lobster season florida seafoodies can forgo maine lobster to instead feast on local, seasonally fresh spiny lobster. July 2930, 2020 last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year daily bag limit. Lobster diving is a lot like spearfishing harder than you think. Nevertheless, commercial and recreational lobster season does not start until.
Before people jump on me about saying no lobster in northwest florida, i guess i should be a bit more specific. The recreational lobster fishing season starts at 6. Sports fishermen are permitted to get to lobsters before the big boats do. Spiny lobster fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. The last day of the season is march 18, 2020 at 12.
As of july 2009, the limit in the florida keys monroe county and in the biscayne national park is 6 lobsters per person per day. The caribbean or florida lobsters primary defense is its speed. The main season runs from august 6 march 31st of each year. It takes a spiny lobster about two years to grow to the threeinch carapace legalharvesting size and they can grow as large as 15 pounds. Spiny lobster season in florida is held for two days only and are the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. Mini lobster season is a chance for recreational anglers to try their hand at catching these elusive crustaceans. Florida provides 100 percent of the nations commercial spiny lobster landings, making it the states most valuable fishery. Florida and florida keys lobstering guide scuba diving. Although china is 9,000 miles away, the coronavirus is causing the lobster season to end early for nichols and many of the other lobstermen of the florida keys.
The northern parts of florida are not too different from the northern states except that the temperature ranges are not as great. One of the first arrests of the 2018 lobster miniseason happened about an hour before the season actually began. This year, the spiny lobster diver season is scheduled for july 24 th and 25 th, 2019. Dive boats and hotels in the more popular areas tend to fill up pretty quickly, so make plans early. Lobster information provided by the fwc and the florida keys fishing directory. Current 20192020 recreational lobster fishing information. Dos and donts of spiny lobster diving in monroe county. Florida keys lobster season welcome to florida keys, monroe county florida, minilobster season florida keys lobster season is at hand and everyone is excited.
Your guide to lobster fishing in florida lauderdale divers. Lobster season in florida at dive duck key hawks cay. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami herald. You can get first crack at these tasty crustaceans come july, when the special twoday spiny lobster sport season opens or tie your adventure into a florida keys. Seasons in florida when floridians talk about seasons, it is typically hurricane season or rainy season.
Lobster gauge every diver must carry a lobster gauge and must measure the lobster under water before its placed in the game bag. The best lobster in central florida updated april 2020. Comprised of two time frames, mini lobster season or spiny lobster sport season is the twoday period that falls on the last wednesday and thursday of the. The best lobster in florida keys updated april 2020. This allows the for the normal practice of mating season to take place. For information on spiny lobster regulations during the sport season and the regular season, visit the fwcs division of marine fisheries management lobster page. Lobster tails can be frozen and kept in the freezer for several months. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini season and the 8 month regular lobster season. Yearround, with the majority caught between june december. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission officers stopped a small boat. Recreational lobster season runs from saturday preceding the first wednesday in october through the first wednesday after the 15th of march. There are some other species, but much harder to get lobster up here. By far, the most popular of our delicious and hearty meals featured on our extensive menus has to be the lobster and luckily, its always lobster season in our restaurants. So far, five arrests in lobster miniseason in fl keys miami.