How to Find Lobster in the Florida Keys

The Florida spiny lobster, which has no claws and is actually a crawfish, is yours for the taking -- with restrictions -- from August through March and during a two-day "sport season" in July. No one may take lobster from certain areas of the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary, which covers the entire Keys archipelago, and the sport season is banned at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. But the Keys offer many other opportunities to catch the crustacean. Look for its long antennae --- the telltale sign of dinner.

Things You'll Need

  • Florida recreational saltwater fishing license with crawfish permit
  • Protective dive gloves
  • Thin metal "tickle stick," 3 to 4 feet long
  • Fish net with handle
  • Measuring device
  • Large net bag with secure closure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Snorkel or take a boat to an area 10 to 30 feet deep, with hiding places favored by the crawfish: a reef with sheltering ledges, or large rocks and rubble on the bottom. Many people have found lobster under roadside bridges crossing the water, others within a few hundred feet of shore in less than 6 feet of water.

    • 2

      Closely examine the hiding places, circling slowly if you are scuba diving, or hovering above them if you are snorkeling. Once you see the lobster's antennae, slowly approach the hiding place from behind or the side.

    • 3

      Position the fish net so it covers the rear of the lobster's hiding place. The Florida lobster moves quickly by curling its tail and scooting backward, so it will try to escape opposite of where it's facing.

    • 4

      Gently poke the tickle stick into the area where you see the antennae, forcing the lobster to zip out the rear and into your net. Close off the net to completely trap the lobster.

    • 5

      Turn your catch onto its back, keeping the net closed, and check that it's not a female bearing eggs. The eggs will be visible on the outside of the body. Measure the body to be sure it's at least 3 inches long. Drop it in the net bag and continue hunting.