Mini season has a way of exposing the divers who didn't prepare. You drive three hours to the Keys, launch the boat, get in the water — and realize you forgot your gauge. Or your catch bag clip broke and you didn't bring a backup. Or your buddy shows up with just a tickle stick and no snare. Don't be that diver. Here's the complete gear checklist for Florida spiny lobster season 2026 — everything you need in the water and on the boat.
Required by Florida Law — Don't Leave the Dock Without These
These aren't optional. Getting caught in the water without any of these items can result in fines and loss of your catch.
- Valid Florida recreational saltwater fishing license — required for anyone 16 and older. Get it at myfwc.com or any Walmart sporting goods counter
- Spiny lobster permit — required in addition to your fishing license. Also available at myfwc.com
- Lobster gauge — must be on your person in the water at all times during lobster season. Carapace must measure greater than 3 inches to keep
- Dive flag — required any time you are in the water. Minimum 20x24 inches from a vessel, displayed at the highest point
Catching Gear
- Lobster snare and tickle stick — your primary catching tools. The LobsterStick combines both into one 36-inch tool so you only manage one piece of gear underwater. Bring a backup if you have one — gear gets lost and broken during mini season
- Mesh catch 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. Make sure the clip works before you get in the water
- Gloves — heavy duty dive gloves protect your hands from spines, antennae, and reef contact. Non-negotiable for lobster diving
Diving Gear
- Mask and snorkel — obvious but worth checking before you leave. A fogged or cracked lens on mini season morning is a bad time
- Fins — longer blade fins give you more power and efficiency for covering reef ground quickly
- Wetsuit or rash guard — Florida summer water is warm but a 2mm or 3mm wetsuit protects from jellyfish, fire coral, and sun exposure on long surface swims. At minimum wear a full rash guard
- Weight belt — if you're free diving or snorkeling a small amount of weight helps you get down to the reef and stay there long enough to make a catch
- BCD and tank — for scuba divers. Make sure your tank is full before mini season morning. Fill stations get backed up the day before
- Dive computer or depth gauge — know your depth and your bottom time especially if you're free diving multiple dives in a row
Boat Gear
- Cooler with ice — keep your catch cold immediately after bringing it aboard. Lobster deteriorates fast in Florida summer heat
- Extra dive flag — flags get lost, torn, and blown off. Bring a spare
- Anchor and anchor line — you'll be stationary over reef for extended periods. A good anchor setup keeps you on your spot without drifting onto the reef
- VHF radio — mini season brings massive boat traffic to the Keys. A working VHF is essential for safety
- First aid kit — lobster spines, reef cuts, and seasickness are all real possibilities. Be prepared
- Sunscreen — reef-safe only in national park and sanctuary waters. Apply before you get on the boat not after
- Food and water — you'll be on the water all day. Dehydration is a real risk in July Florida heat. Bring more water than you think you need
- Boat registration and safety equipment — flares, fire extinguisher, life jackets for everyone aboard. FWC runs safety inspections during mini season
Before You Leave Home
- Check the weather forecast — July in South Florida means afternoon thunderstorms. Know when they're coming and plan your dive time accordingly. Get in early and be off the water before early afternoon if storms are forecast
- File a float plan — tell someone on shore where you're going, what boat you're on, and when you expect to be back
- Check FWC regulations — rules can change year to year. Verify current bag limits, size requirements, and any area closures at myfwc.com before mini season
- Charge everything — dive computers, underwater lights, GoPros, phones. Do this the night before
- Rig your gear the night before — attach your gauge to your catch bag, check your snare loop, make sure your gloves are in the bag. Don't be rigging gear on the boat at 5am in the dark
The One Piece of Gear Most Divers Forget
A backup lobster gauge. Your gauge is required by law and it's a small piece of plastic that gets dropped, lost, and forgotten constantly during the chaos of mini season. Throw an extra one in your gear bag right now. They cost a few dollars and the peace of mind is worth it.
Get Your LobsterStick Before Mini Season
The most important item on this list is your catching tool. The LobsterStick by LobsterStix is a 2-in-1 lobster snare and tickle stick that handles everything on the catching gear section of this checklist in one 36-inch tool. Made in Miami, USA-assembled, $35. Mini season 2026 is July 29–30 — order yours now and have it ready before the season opens.