How-to: Dragging for Lobster Spots

Once you have a plan for locations to scout for lobster, knowing how and what to look for are extremely important. The most common method to find lobster spots is called “dragging” where a few divers are drug behind the boat using ski ropes searching for places lobster might hide.

The equipment needed for dragging are your mask fins and snorkel, along with a rope to hang on to. We prefer to use ski ropes because of the handle at the end of the rope, it's very easy to hang onto. A cheaper alternative is to use a long rope and tie loops in it to hold onto. This method is good if you have lots of divers who just want to get in the water to see but this isn’t as effective at finding the most spots.

Another alternative is to use a planer board of some kind. Two possible options are the Subwing and this board. There are other options that can be found in dive shops throughout the keys for around $100. These are great for deeper water since it’s easier to maneuver through the water with one.

When you have your ropes and are trying to determine how long they should be, keep in mind the distance should be varied. Inevitably when dives are in the water they will cross over each other, so you’ll want to have one line short enough so a diver with his fins on won’t hit the diver on the longer rope in the face. For our boat, two to three divers should be looking for spots at a time, any more and the divers are always on top of each other and any less, you aren’t able to see enough ground.

Once you have the location and equipment it’s time to jump in the water. The main structures you’re looking for are rocks, ledges, and/or holes. Lobster love to hide in places where they feel protected, so places that are just barely big enough for lobster will be the best place to find them. Sometimes you will come across a ledge or rock structure that looks like there should be lobster but aren’t, you should still mark these spots! Over time sand could fill in some of these ledges and make them excellent homes for lobster. Pictures of what you’re looking for can be found below.

Ledge too big for lobster usually, should still mark this spot though

Good for lobster because theres lots of hiding places. When dragging, look for the antenna

Here's a surface view of a spot, usually easier to see in person

What should you be looking for in the water? Of course, ledges and holes but chances are those rock structures are so big if your'e drug over them you won’t miss them. What you should be looking for is fish. Fish love structure just as much as lobster do, so if you see any kind of snapper, angelfish, spadefish or small grouper make sure you drop off the line and scour the area until you find the spot.

Sometimes you are drug over bottom that is extremely rocky in between patches of grass, you should take some time and search these areas more thoroughly because there are usually ledges or holes there. These areas you should mark as well because even if there aren’t any spots there this year, one could appear in the following years.

-JL