LOBSTER MINI SEASON 2025
Mini Lobster Season July 29-31,2025
Mini Lobster Season is a highly anticipated event every year. If you have never experienced the frenzy, you don't know what you are missing. The State of Florida years ago created a short sportsman season to allow recreational users to catch lobsters prior to traps being deployed and commercial season beginning. This season became known to divers and snorkelers all over the world as "Mini Lobster Season". Over the years Mini Lobster Season has been modified several times to account for changes in lobster stock assessments. The season lasts 48 hours, after which it closes, and the regular lobster season opens August 6th - March 31st.
Mini Lobster Season is a highly anticipated event every year. If you have never experienced the frenzy, you don't know what you are missing. The State of Florida years ago created a short sportsman season to allow recreational users to catch lobsters prior to traps being deployed and commercial season beginning. This season became known to divers and snorkelers all over the world as "Mini Lobster Season". Over the years Mini Lobster Season has been modified several times to account for changes in lobster stock assessments. The season lasts 48 hours, after which it closes, and the regular lobster season opens August 6th - March 31st.
Lobster Mini Season Trip Itinerary 2025
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Day 1 - 07/29/2025
4:00pm Hotel Check In - Bayside Inn Key Largo 7:00pm Meet and Greet (Hotel Lobby, they have outside seating to accommodate us) 7:30pm Introduction to Lobstering 8:00pm Walk to nearby restaurant for Drinks and Food (Optional) Day 2 - 07/30/2025
7:00am Breakfast at Bayside Inn Key Largo 7:30am Start heading to Boat 7:45am Boat Check in 8:30am Boat Embarks Lobster Hunting Begins! 12:00pm Boat Returns to Marina 12:30pm Optional PM Dive 1:00pm - 8:00pm Free Time (Optional Excursions & Addons) (Grills available to cook lobsters) 6:00pm Optional Night Dive 6:45pm Optional Sunset Cruise 8:00pm Dinner |
Day 3 - 07/31/2025
7:00am Breakfast at Bayside Inn Key Largo 7:30am Start heading to Boat. (check out of your room) 7:45am Boat Check in 8:30am Boat Embarks Lobster Hunting! 12:00pm Boat Returns to Marina (Trip Concludes) 12:30pm Optional PM Dive Hotel & Boat InfoHotel: Bayside Inn Key Largo (Check in 4:00pm 07/25/23)
Address: 99490 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 Hours: Open 24 hours Phone: (305) 451-4450 Boat: Captain Slate's Scuba Adventures Address: 90791 Old Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070 |
How to Catch Lobster
To catch lobster in the Keys, most people use two tools: a net and a tickle stick. Lobsters like to hide in holes and under coral or obstructions.
To catch lobster in the Keys, most people use two tools: a net and a tickle stick. Lobsters like to hide in holes and under coral or obstructions.
- Once you’ve spotted one, you can slide the end of your tickle stick into the hole or crevasse and tap the lobster on the tail or use the stick to push it forward and out of the hole.
- Once it’s out in the open, you place your net behind the lobster.
- Then by tapping it on the head with your tickle stick, you can get the lobster to pump its tail and shoot backwards — its natural way of trying to escape predators.
- When done properly, instead of shooting away, the lobster will shoot right into your net.
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Gear you will need:
Label all gear with your name and contact info!
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Other important things to know when lobstering include:
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Excursions & Additions for your trip!
How to Grill a Lobster
Let’s say you’ve come to the Keys for mini lobster season, had a great day with your tickle stick and net, and loaded up the cooler with these tempting crustaceans. What’s next? Prepare yourself for a serious feast!
Let’s say you’ve come to the Keys for mini lobster season, had a great day with your tickle stick and net, and loaded up the cooler with these tempting crustaceans. What’s next? Prepare yourself for a serious feast!
- Split the lobster or just the tail (many people prefer to eat the tail, only) down the middle with a stiff knife, and turn it shell-side-down.
- Melt a stick of butter and mix in a tablespoon of minced garlic plus a pinch each of salt, cayenne pepper, and cumin.
- Baste the meat of the lobster with the butter mix.
- Place the lobster shell-side-down on the grill, and close the grill cover.
- After about five minutes when the shell has turned orange, baste the meat with more buttery mix and then flip the lobster.
- Allow it to grill meat-side-down for three or four minutes, then pull it off the grill and squeeze a fresh sliced lime or lemon over the meat immediately before serving.
