If you've been lobstering for any amount of time you've had this debate. Do you carry a tickle stick in one hand and a separate snare in the other? Or do you use a combo tool that does both? We're obviously biased — but we'll give you the honest breakdown so you can decide for yourself.
The Traditional Setup: Two Separate Tools
For decades Florida lobster divers carried two pieces of gear into the water — a tickle stick in one hand and a separate snare or net in the other. It works. Plenty of experienced divers still swear by it. Here's why:
- Independent control: Each tool operates completely independently — you can reposition one without affecting the other
- Familiar: If you've been doing it this way for 20 years it's muscle memory
- Backup: If one tool fails you still have the other
But there are real drawbacks that anyone who's lobstered solo knows intimately:
- Two hands occupied: Managing two tools underwater while staying neutrally buoyant, watching the lobster, and not kicking the reef is genuinely difficult
- Gear management: One tool has to go somewhere while you use the other — it gets tangled, dropped, or lost
- Slower transitions: Switching from tickle to snare position costs you time and that's when lobsters escape
- More to carry: Two pieces of gear to transport to and from the boat, rinse, store, and keep track of
The Combo Approach: LobsterStick
The LobsterStick combines both functions into one 36-inch tool. The stick end does the tickling, the snare loop at the other end does the catching. You hold one tool, control both functions, and never have to switch hands or manage a second piece of gear.
- One hand free: Your off hand is free to brace against structure, manage your catch bag, or signal your dive buddy
- Faster catch sequence: No switching between tools means less time between spotting a lobster and securing it
- Less gear to manage: One tool to carry, rinse, store, and replace
- Better for solo divers: When you're working a hole alone the combo tool is significantly more efficient than juggling two separate pieces
- Easier for beginners: New lobster divers already have enough to think about underwater — one tool instead of two reduces the cognitive load significantly
The Honest Tradeoff
There is one situation where two separate tools have a genuine edge — when you're diving with a dedicated partner and each person takes one tool. One diver on the tickle stick, one diver on the snare, working in perfect coordination. That two-person system is extremely effective and experienced teams can clear a reef section faster than any solo diver with any tool.
But for solo divers, new lobster hunters, and anyone who wants to simplify their gear setup without sacrificing effectiveness — the combo tool wins. It's not a gimmick. It's just a more practical way to carry two functions into the water.
What About Price?
A decent separate tickle stick runs $15–30. A quality snare runs another $25–50. You're looking at $40–80 for a two-tool setup. The LobsterStick is $35 and does both. The math is pretty straightforward.
Bottom Line
If you're diving with a dedicated partner who wants their own tool — buy two LobsterSticks, one each. You get the team system and the simplicity of the combo tool at the same time. If you're diving solo or want to simplify your kit — one LobsterStick is all you need.
Either way, mini season 2026 is July 29–30. Order yours now and have it ready before the season opens.