Florida lobster season

[c master]

So I realize this post isn't really about boats, but I saw a "FWC" tv show about lobster poachers last week.  And it got me thinking that I'd like to trail my 170 to Florida sometime and do two things:  I'd like to run from Miami to Key West and back, and I'd like to go "lobstering" (legally, of course).  

Can some of you describe this event?  What should I expect?  Is the short season just too ridiculously crowded with insane people?  (the show sorta made it seem that way).

Thanks...

[love2fish]

Miami to KW in your 170? thats a long ride by boat. I think a much better idea would be to spend a week (at least) and trailer your boat through the keys and pick out key places and find a boat ramp. That way you could spend more time at good spots instead of having to move through them the whole time.
Its almost 130 highway miles from Miami to Key West.

As far as lobstering- check out the dates for next year. There's a thing called Mini-season/Sport Season which is the last weekend in July. Then the season starts the 2nd weekend of August (usually). The earlier the better in the season as lots of people are doing the same thing. But its tons of fun and you'll be completely addicted after you get your first lobster!

They are everywhere and no-where throughout the keys! haha

[c master]

Thanks for the info...actually I guess I was thinking more like "Key Largo to Key West"...you're correct - 150 miles or so would be a long trip, whereas 90 would be do-able over a few days.  And I wasn't planning on a straight run...just work my way along the route if I could find a couple of motels along the way.  Anyway, trailering makes sense...I just need to research it a little.

The lobster-chase sounds like a hoot.

[Capt. Bob]

There's a thing called Mini-season/Sport Season which is the last weekend in July.

Actually it's the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday (and the corresponding dates) of July.

2012 would make that the 25th and 26th if I read the calendar correctly.

The regular season begins on 6 August and runs through 31 March each year.

[pete]

if you want to go to the keys for mini season,make reservations well in advance,gets very crowded,but you'll have a blast!

[flounderpounder225]

My nephew in Ft. Pierce got a 17 pounder about 3 weeks ago.  10 feet of water off north beach! I'll try to get a picture up

[pete]

17 lbs!!!thats a monster bug!who caught who?

[seabob4]

My nephew in Ft. Pierce got a 17 pounder about 3 weeks ago.  10 feet of water off north beach! I'll try to get a picture up

         

[gran398]

Is there such a thing as a "Classic Aquasport Lobsterfest Reunion?"

Lewis...

Lewis...

 :flower:

[Circle Hooked]

Mini season can be quite crazy,was doing it for many years then this year we went ater the start of reg season and had a much better time.

My nephew in Ft. Pierce got a 17 pounder about 3 weeks ago. 10 feet of water off north beach! I'll try to get a picture up

Wow i have to see a pic of that.

Is there such a thing as a "Classic Aquasport Lobsterfest Reunion?"

Lewis...

Lewis...

:flower:

If there's not there should be.

[Woodinator]

C-

I've done mini-season in Tavernier (upper keys) each year for the past decade.  I can WHOLE HEARTEDLY recommend that you NOT come that week unless you have friends who already have GPS spots and numbers for you.  All the easy spots to find get picked over very quickly, and you'd probably have to work your butt off for just a couple bugs while also putting up with a ton of drunk, rude, or inattentive boaters, and severely elevated enforcement.  Second week of regular season would be a bit more stable.  Summer weather is generally much more reliable (less wind, flatter water) for a 170, but winter brings more comfortable temperatures, and far fewer biting bugs, and you won't have to worry about getting caught in any of the randomly violent afternoon thundershowers.  Kinda a trade off either way, but the trip itself would probably be a TON of fun.   Make sure you have a mapping GPS to guide you through the maze of channels...charts would honestly not be sufficient for anyone who doesn't know the waters... you'd be destined to find a flat or sandbar or three.

FP - I wanna see pics of that bug!!!  17 is a giant anywhere.

[flounderpounder225]

.

FP - I wanna see pics of that bug!!!  17 is a giant anywhere.[/quote]


I'm working on it, it's on his wife's "Spacebook" thing... so I am trying to retrieve it.

[flounderpounder225]

here is the pic,

[seabob4]

DYYAMMM!!!  Look at that tail!!!  2 sticks of butter for that one!!!

[Circle Hooked]

Wow thanks for getting the pic,thats has to be by far the biggest fl lobster i've seen,and i thought the 3 pounder i got was big