Every summer, South Florida transforms. Boats fill the marinas before dawn. Dive flags dot the reefs from Biscayne Bay all the way down to Key West. Locals call it Bug Fever — and if you've ever caught your limit of Florida spiny lobster on mini season morning, you know exactly what that means.
Mini season 2026 runs July 29–30 — the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July, as set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) every year. You have 48 hours to get out there before the commercial traps go in the water for regular season. This guide covers everything you need to know: the official dates, the rules, where to go, and what gear actually works.
Official 2026 Florida Spiny Lobster Season Dates
- Mini Season (Sport Season): July 29–30, 2026 — open to all recreational divers and snorkelers
- Regular Season: August 6, 2026 through March 31, 2027
Mini season starts at 12:01 AM on July 29 and ends at midnight on July 30. You get two full days. Plan accordingly — the best spots get crowded fast, especially in the Florida Keys.
FWC Rules & Bag Limits for 2026
Breaking these rules carries serious fines and can cost you your fishing license. Know them before you get in the water.
- License required: A valid Florida recreational saltwater fishing license with a spiny lobster permit is required for anyone 16 and older
- Bag limit in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park: 6 lobsters per person per day
- Bag limit everywhere else in Florida: 12 lobsters per person per day
- Minimum size: Carapace must measure greater than 3 inches — measured in the water before placing the lobster in your bag
- Measuring device: Required at all times — you must have one on you
- Egg-bearing females: Prohibited from harvest — if you see eggs under the tail, put it back
- No spearing: Spears, hooks, or any tool that punctures the shell is prohibited
- Dive flag: Required any time you are in the water — 20x24 inches minimum from a boat
- No diving within 300 feet of residential shoreline during mini season
- Night diving prohibited during the two-day mini season
Always verify the latest regulations directly at myfwc.com before heading out — rules can change year to year.
Where to Catch Spiny Lobster in South Florida
Florida spiny lobster hide in structure — reef ledges, rocky outcroppings, coral heads, grass beds, wrecks, and jetties. They back into holes and crevices with their antennae sticking out. That's what you're looking for. Here are the top areas:
Florida Keys: The undisputed king of lobster grounds. Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West all have world-class lobstering on both the bayside and oceanside reefs. Patch reefs in 10–25 feet of water are the sweet spot for snorkelers. Islamorada and Marathon see some of the heaviest mini season boat traffic in the state — get out early.
Biscayne National Park: Right in Miami's backyard. The park's reefs and rocky shorelines hold good numbers of lobster and are accessible by boat from Homestead and Cutler Bay. Remember — the 6-per-person bag limit applies here, same as Monroe County.
Broward & Palm Beach reefs: The artificial reefs and natural ledges off Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach consistently produce lobster. Less crowded than the Keys and closer for divers coming from the north end of the Miami metro.
Miami-Dade nearshore reefs: The ledges and reef systems off Miami and Key Biscayne are worth checking, especially for divers who don't want to make the drive to the Keys for mini season.
The Best Gear for Catching Spiny Lobster
You don't need a lot of gear to have a successful mini season. You need the right gear. Here's what every lobster diver should have in the water:
Lobster snare and tickle stick: This is your primary catching tool combination. The tickle stick coaxes the lobster out of its hole from the front while the snare waits behind the tail. Once the lobster backs into the loop, a quick pull cinches it tight and the lobster is yours. The LobsterStick combines both functions into a single 36-inch tool — no juggling two separate pieces of gear underwater. It's the most efficient setup for solo divers.
Lobster gauge: Non-negotiable. You are required by law to have one and to measure every lobster in the water before bagging it. Don't skip this.
Gloves: Spiny lobster are covered in sharp spines and their antennae can cut. Heavy-duty dive gloves protect your hands during the catch and when checking females for eggs.
Catch bag: A mesh lobster bag clips to your BC or weight belt and holds your catch while you keep diving. Get one that holds at least your daily bag limit.
Dive flag: Required by law. On a boat use a 20x24 inch flag at the highest point. On a float tube or kayak, a smaller flag on a pole attached to your float works.
Snorkel, mask, and fins: For snorkelers working shallower reefs in 5–20 feet, this is all you need beyond your catching gear. Free diving is the most common method for mini season in the Keys.
Tips for a Successful Mini Season
Scout your spots before July 29. Mini season is not the time to explore. Know exactly where you're going, what the depth is, and what the reef structure looks like. Go look a week before if you can.
Get in the water early. Spots get crowded by mid-morning on mini season day one. The lobsters that are easy to catch get caught early. Being on the water before sunrise puts you ahead of the pressure.
Work as a team. One person on the tickle stick, one person with the bag ready. It's faster, more effective, and you'll hit your limit quicker than a solo diver working alone.
Check every antenna you see. Lobsters hide deep and only their antennae may be visible. Learn to spot them poking out of ledges and rocky holes. Slow down and look carefully — rushing past a hole full of lobster is the most common mini season mistake.
Respect the reef. Don't stand on coral, don't grab coral for leverage, and don't let fins kick the bottom. The reef is the reason the lobsters are there. Protect it and it keeps producing year after year.
Get Your Gear Before Mini Season
The worst thing that can happen is showing up to mini season without the right tools. The LobsterStick by LobsterStix is a 2-in-1 lobster snare and tickle stick built specifically for Florida spiny lobster season — manufactured and assembled in the USA right here in Miami. At $35 it's the most affordable pro-grade snare on the market and it ships fast.
Mini season 2026 is July 29–30. Order now and have it in your hands well before the season opens.