What is Mini-Season?
Mini-Lobster season, also known as "Mini-Season" takes place July of each year. It is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. In the coastal waters of Florida, families and professionals alike flock to the water to get their share of spiny lobster, also known as "bugs."
Mini-Season takes place over two whole days. It takes place from 12:01 on the first day, and ends at 12:00 (Midnight) the following day. (See our Rules and Regs. for more rules on when to lobster and when to not.)
Mini-Season is when families can have some fun trying to test the waters with lobster. It may come easy to some, and not so easy to others. But it is open for all to try.
What do I need for Mini-Season?
To start off, you need a license. Not a drivers license (but it is preferred) but a lobstering license. Every "active hunter" on the boat must have an active Lobstering license provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, also known as FWC. The Spiny Lobster permit is only $5 and is good for one year.
You will also need a boat. Whether it is a rented boat from the many boat rental places around the state or your personal vessel. It just makes things easier.
For equipment, we recommend the following; kevlar gloves, tickle sticks, nets, snorkeling equipment, and a holding container. Some people may get a little more advanced with diving gear, but those are just the basics.
See our Rules and Regs. for how much lobster you can catch, and what to do with them.