Key West Lobstering Charters

The Florida lobster mini season is a preseason before the main season. These two days are the first of the season and usually produce the most lobsters because of this. This takes place on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July every year.

The Florida lobster mini season takes place on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July every year.

If you are going lobstering in the Florida Key or Key West you will need the following items. Mask, snorkel, fins, tickle sticks and nets. Don’t forget the lobster ruler gauge to confirm size restrictions of your catch.

You can buy your Florida lobster season permit either online at this website https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/ViewPackage.aspx?pid=43&lrtid=2&annual=0. You can buy the lobster permit over the phone by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356). You can also buy them in person in most bait and tackle stores in Florida. If you are going on one of our charters the boat has a license for you that you are covered under.

Having a local guide is highly valuable for getting to the lobsters quickly. Our captains know exactly where to go to find the lobster spots. Why waste time trying to figure out where to go? Our Key West lobstering charters are your express pass to getting to the lobsters quickly. Book online or give us a call today to set it up

Florida Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) are known for their delicious tails. Another key difference in this particular species is that they do not have claws to pinch you with which is always a plus. You can find the Florida Spiny lobster throughout the Gulf of Mexico, The Caribbean sea and the tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic ocean.

Lobster diving Key West at night is allowed but only during regular lobster season. Lobster diving Key West at night is not allowed during lobster mini season.

A bully net is a long pole or stick with a net on the end of it. When you go bully netting it is conducted at night from a boat in shallow waters with a big spot light to locate the lobsters. Lobsters transit from one structure to another at night therefore they are out in the open and all you have to do is simply trap them with your net and pull them into the boat.

No harvesting lobsters from protected areas like the Florida Keys national marine sanctuary is prohibited. Please make sure to check that you are not within the Florida keys national marine sanctuary when you are harvesting lobsters.

3 inch carapace minimum to keep the lobster. The carapace on a lobster is the hard shelled area of the head from the horns between the eyes to the edge of the head shell where it meets the tail. The lobster must measure on your gauge at least 3 inches long between those two points to be kept.

Florida Keys lobster charters enhance your experience by knowing exactly where to go to find the lobsters. No more wasting precious time trying to figure out where to go on our Florid Keys lobster charters. Your captain will also come prepared with all the equipment and licenses you need to get the job done. So if you want to make it easy on yourself give us a call or book online today.

Yes you do need a Florida Salt Water fishing license with a lobster permit for lobster diving Key West and the Florida Keys. You can obtain the permit online at https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/ViewPackage.aspx?pid=43&lrtid=2&annual=0.

No you cannot catch lobsters all year around. Main lobster season is August 6th – March 31st, with a mini season the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July yearly.

The state of Florida has a lobster mini season to allow recreational lobster fishing to get a chance to try their hand before the commercial lobster season begins. It’s basically a head start before the fishing industry begins to harvest.

The best place to locate lobsters in the Florida Keys is to look for structures or rocks like coral heads. Lobsters hide under hard structure as a defense tactic. To get them out use your tickle stick to coerce them into your net from under the structure.

Yes it is legal to Scuba dive for lobster in Key West as well as the Florida Keys.

The bag limit for lobsters is six lobsters per person per day. This applies to both mini lobster season and regular lobster season. Also please make sure your lobsters are legal lobster meaning they have at least a 3 inch carapace. Following these rules will ensure you are not violating stick regulations.

The lobstering is excellent all over the Florida Keys. But perhaps some of the most fruitful areas reside on the Gulf of Mexico side of the lower Keys. In particular Content Key & Sawyer Key.

As low as $550 for a half day privater lobstering charter. 

Lobster fest in Key West is held in the beginning of August.  It’s a month long event to celebrate the beginning of Florida Lobster season.  Events are held throughout the month such as lobster buffets, tastings, live music and more!

The daily bag limit for spiny lobsters in Monroe County is six lobsters per person during both mini and regular lobster seasons.

Harvesting female lobsters is prohibited during lobster season. It is illegal to harvest egg-bearing female lobsters.

The Florida Keys, including Key West, are known for excellent lobstering opportunities, particularly around reefs and wrecks.

Marathon is suitable for beginners and offers fewer crowds compared to Key West.

You can book spiny lobster charters in both Marathon and Key West for a more relaxed experience.

Yes, during mini lobster season, local experts can enhance the lobster-catching experience.

Yes! Most visitors and locals partake in excited activities leading up to spiny lobster mini season.

Successful lobster fishing requires proper gear such as nets, tickle sticks, gloves, and dive flags.

Lobster must be landed whole; separating the body and tail is prohibited.

You must possess a saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit while lobster fishing in Florida.

The use of spears, hooks, and recreational traps for lobstering is prohibited in Florida.

Recreational lobster harvesting is prohibited in designated no-take zones such as Everglades National Park and certain areas of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Lobsters are more active during dawn and dusk, making these times ideal for harvesting.

Lobsters are typically found in shallow waters, around 5 to 15 feet deep, hiding in crevices and holes.

Lobsters must be kept in a cool and moist environment during travels to remain fresh.

Use gel packs or cold packs in a cooler to maintain the freshness of lobsters during transportation.