The Complete Guide to Catching Lobster in Florida

Lobstering in Florida is a popular pastime for both locals and visitors. The warm waters surrounding the state are home to the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, a decadent seafood delicacy. While commercial fishermen use traps to harvest lobsters in mass, recreational lobstering by hand is an exciting hands-on experience. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know about catching your own lobsters in Florida.

When is Lobster Season in Florida?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates the harvest of spiny lobsters. There are two lobster seasons in Florida each year:

• Sport Season – Always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. For 2022, the dates are July 27-28th. This mini 2-day season sees hoards of recreatonal lobster hunters hitting the waters trying to get their bag limit.

• Regular Season – Runs August 6 through March 31 every year. The regular season is the best time to lobster as it lasts nearly 8 months!

Lobsters are off-limits during April 1 to August 5 as this is their breeding season. The regulations allow the population to recover each year.

Legal Harvest Requirements

Recreational lobstering requires:

• Saltwater fishing license
• Annual lobster permit
• Minimum size limit – Lobster’s carapace must be larger than 3 inches, measured from between the horns to the back edge.
• Daily bag limit – 6 lobsters per person in regular season, 12 per person in sport season (Monroe County and Biscayne National Park stay at 6/person in sport season).
• No harvesting of egg-bearing females.
• Gear requirements – Must have a measuring device. Gloves, snare, or net allowed. No spears, hooks, etc.

Where to Catch Lobster in Florida

The Caribbean Spiny Lobster is found throughout the waters surrounding Florida. The highest concentrations occur within the Florida Keys and along the Atlantic coastline from Palm Beach down to Miami. Here are some of the best places to lobster:

• Florida Keys – Anywhere in this island chain south of Miami provides lobster habitat, including structure like coral reefs, ledges, artificial reefs, and rock piles

• Biscayne Bay – The bay side of the Keys right outside Miami hosts lobsters. Best areas include Sands Cut, Pacific Reef, Triumph Reef, and Belcher Barge.

• Fort Lauderdale – The network of reefs running parallel to the beaches hold good numbers of lobsters. Focus your search near Port Everglades Inlet and off Galt Ocean Mile.

• Palm Beach – Scatterings of artificial reefs off Singer Island down through Boca Inlet give lobsters perfect hideouts.

Best Baits for Catching Lobster

While lobsters will eat just about any meaty bait certain baits are tried and true for catching them in traps

• Fresh dead fish like mullet, pinfish, grunts, or blue runners
• Live shrimp or crabs
• Squid and cut mackerel
• Bonito strips
• Fish heads

If using traps recreationally be sure they have biodegradable panels for auto-escape. Traps must be pulled and emptied regularly.

Lobstering Gear & Equipment

These essential items will help you hunt lobsters successfully and safely:

• Tickle Sticks – Essential for flushing lobsters out of hiding spots. Use 5 foot PVC rods with a bent handle.

• Gloves – Protect your hands from spines when grabbing lobsters. Cut resistant gloves work best.

• Measuring Device – A sturdy plastic caliper ensures all lobsters meet the minimum size.

• Mesh Dive Bag – Let’s water flow through while keeping your catch secure.

• Dive Light – Illuminate those dark ledges and overhangs lobsters love.

• Snare – Let’s you safely capture lobsters deeper in holes.

• Hawaiian Sling – Optional for protection against aggressive predators.

How to Catch Lobster by Hand

Let’s go through the steps to catch lobsters by hand:

1. Find Lobster Habitat – Search areas with structure like ledges, coral heads, artificial reefs. Also watch for fish like porkfish that share habitat.

2. Check Ledge Depth & Layout – Note any deep recesses, multiple openings, etc to plan your approach.

3. Gauge Lobster Size – Avoid wasting time on shorts by learning to judge 3 inch+ carapace underwater.

4. Use Proper Technique – Use tickle stick to block escape route and guide lobster into your hand or net. No rapid grabbing!

5. Control the Head – Once caught, grip antennae bases firmly and shake aggressively to disorient lobster.

6. Carefully Return Undersized – Relocate shorts under new shelter far from original hideout.

7. Move Methodically – Work one area completely before moving on to prevent circling back.

8. Record Your Progress – Note areas searched and count of lobsters already caught at each spot.

Follow these tips and with some practice you’ll fill your bag limit in no time!

Cleaning & Preparing Lobster at Home

Once your lobstering mission is complete, you’ll need to handle your catch:

• Kill lobsters before transport by piercing between eyes. Keep tails curled under when storing.

• Keep lobsters cool – place on ice if longer than 2 hour trip back. Don’t let sit in standing water.

• Once home, purge lobsters in saltwater for 15-30 minutes before cooking or freezing.

• Split lobster along back and remove gastrointestinal tract and green gland/liver. Rinse.

• Many prefer to leave tails unsplit for grilling or broiling. Cutting allows marinades and spices to penetrate meat.

• Lobster meat may be extracted for other recipes. Cooked meat will keep 5-7 days refrigerated.

Tips for Lobstering Success

Follow this collection of lobstering wisdom for better luck on your underwater hunting trips:

• Take it slow – methodical movement and thoughtfulness leads to full bags. Rushing causes mistakes.

• Scout first, catch later – note lobster locations and terrain before attempting capture.

• Leave the speargun behind – dedicate dives fully to lobstering for best efficiency.

• Use the right tool – properly bent tickle sticks are essential for effective manipulation.

• Two hands are better than one – don’t let big lobsters muscle their way to freedom.

• Bag limits matter – be selective and strategic to maximize your 6 lobster allotment.

• Ledge lurkers – that second pair of antennas deeper in a hole can reveal a hidden trophy.

• Location, location – find and work quality habitat fully before moving on.

• Note lobster highways – observe where they prefer to shelter, migrate, and feed.

• Night vision – low light around new moons draws more lobsters into open foraging.

Be Safe and Responsible

Make sure your lobstering practices are sustainable and lawful:

• Abide by all seasonal and bag regulations. No egg bearing females!

• Never take more than you can use. Freeze extras if needed.

• Report violations like undersized lobster sales.

• Never use poison or explosives – this harms the reefs we depend on.

• Coexist with commercial lobsterers and their livelihood.

• Promote sustainability by supporting size limits and closed seasons.

• Remove derelict lobster traps when found to avoid waste.

• Anchor carefully around fragile corals and do not stand on reefs.

Lobstering Florida’s warm waters for dinner or sport is an experience every angler should try. Follow this guide to find lobsters efficiently, capture them legally, handle them for optimal flavor, and promote healthy fisheries. With a little luck and skill, you’ll be feasting on fresh lobster pulled from the sea by your own hands.