How to Catch Florida Lobster From a Boat in Deep Water
The Florida lobster, also known as a spiny crawfish, lives in waters up to 300 feet deep surrounding the Florida Keys and the southern tip of mainland Florida. The lobsters have no claws, but their sweet tail meat is the attraction that makes many people want to search for them, especially during July's two-day sport season. The regular season spans eight months, from August through March.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Saltwater fishing license with crawfish permit
- Boat
- Scuba diving gear
- Tickle stick
- Net
- Measuring device
Instructions
-
Catching Spiny Crawfish or Florida Lobster
-
1
Buy a saltwater fishing license with a crawfish permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The license fee for residents is $22 for one year; nonresidents pay the same for a three-day permit.
-
2
Find water ranging in depth from six feet to 300 feet, moor the boat and begin the dive.
-
-
3
Look for lobster under ledges as well as near coral and rocks. It is illegal to handle coral because coral can die from the human touch.
-
4
Look for the long, red antennae that are a hallmark of the Florida lobster. Do not pull a lobster out by its antennae.
-
5
Use the tickle stick to gently poke the top of the lobster's shell. This should make the lobster move out from under the ledge.
-
6
Once the lobster has emerged, put the net behind its tail and touch the tickle stick to its antennae to make the lobster scoot backward into the net.
-
7
Repeat steps three through five for the length of time remaining for a safe dive given the dive's depth. Stop at the bag limit appropriate for the boat and type of season, as specified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
-
8
Measure the lobster's shell, or carapace, as it must be at least three inches long. The carapace starts at the eyestalks and ends at the tail. Carefully release any lobster that doesn't meet the three-inch standard.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many local diving boat businesses offer lobster dives. Inquire about these if you don't have a boat or aren't sure where to look for lobster.
Florida law prohibits harming a lobster in the water. Take care not to puncture the carapace.
References
Resources
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Lobster Permit
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Non-Resident Saltwater Fishing - Three Days
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Recreational Licenses and Permits
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Recreational Saltwater Licenses and Permits
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Spiny Lobster Season
- Photo Credit lobster fishing image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
