Grab Your Pole Spear, It’s Almost Lobster Season!
Lobster season is almost upon us, and with a little planning, you can not only have a memorable dive, but you just might catch dinner as well! Don’t know your tickle sticks from a snare? Read on. Jupiter Dive Center has all the gear, info, and charters you’ll need to make the most of lobster season!
But first...
Before we start discussing lobster hunting, let’s talk conservation - because the two go hand in hand and most divers care deeply about the ocean and the marine life within them.
Spiny lobster are native to Florida, and unlike northern lobster, they lack claws, but they do have two long spiny antennae.
As their name suggests, they have forward pointing spines that cover their bodies and protect them from predators. They can grow up to 18 inches in body length and can weigh in at 15 pounds!
Their habitat includes reefs, seagrass fields, and hard bottom locations. Nocturnal, they are most active at night and can often be found out in the open. During the day, they tuck into the reef crevices. They often congregate, so if you see one, check the immediate vicinity for more.
Many of the Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) regulations surrounding the harvesting of lobsters is to make sure the lobster population doesn’t suffer.
Undersized lobster must be released unharmed. And the number of lobsters you take (known as your “bag limit”) are limited to 12 during the two-day Sport Season, and 6 during regular season in Jupiter (that number can change depending on the county you dive in).
That means that divers must know their limits. The harvesting of any egg-bearing lobster is prohibited. Likewise, don’t use any device that is going to puncture or crush the shell or flesh of the lobster.
FWAC officers are out in force during lobster season especially the Sport Season and it is each diver’s responsibility to know and comply with the latest regulations.
Make sure you have a current recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit to harvest spiny lobster. And just in case you don’t already know, here’s how to measure a spiny lobster.
Let’s talk gear
Gear is always a personal choice, but most people use a tickle stick and net combo to catch lobsters. They are both inexpensive and easy to use. Once you find a lobster, you’ll need to position your net close. The tickle stick is designed to go behind the lobster and nudge it from its hiding place. Lobster can move pretty quickly, so be prepared. It may take a bit of practice and good buoyancy is the key.
The next popular method of catching lobster is using a snare—which is essentially a catch pole. There is a wire at one end which you’ll loop around the lobster and when it’s in place, you’ll draw the wire extending from the other end of the pole tight.
Finally, there’s good ol’ hands. Put on a pair of gloves and try your luck.
Anytime you are diving for lobster, state regulations require that you have a measuring device to ensure your catch is of legal size. The easiest to carry and use is a lobster gauge a flat piece of metal or plastic that has a cutout that measures the minimum legal length of a lobster.
Even diving during the day, you’ll want a flashlight for a couple of reasons. First, lobsters like to hide in dark places. Second, you don’t want to plunge your hand in a place that may also be harboring an eel or lionfish.
Speaking of which, one bit of hunting gear you may want to have with you is a lionfish spear.
You are NOT allowed to spear lobster, but lobster and lionfish like the same habitat and it’s not uncommon for a lionfish to be the only thing to stands between you and the biggest lobster you’ve ever seen. Lionfishes are an invasive species that wreak havoc on the reefs.
Divers are able to kill or harvest a lionfish without a license and without limit.
The bonus is they’re delicious. If you do harvest them for food, beware the spines. They can pack a painful wallop.
Lobster season
There are actually two lobster seasons. The first is the 2-day Spiny Lobster Sport Season and it runs annually on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July. The 2026 two-day Spiny Lobster Sport Season opens at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29th and ends at midnight on Thursday, July 30th.
We get it, everyone loves lobster, and for forty-eight hours, it can appear like the entire population of the Eastern Seaboard is partying on our waterways. Increased boat traffic, inexperienced hunters, and alcohol add to the crazy factor of mini-season. But there are steps you can take to increase your safety. (And if you want a more leisurely experience, regular spiny lobster season is just a week later and opens on August 6th and runs all the way through March 31, 2027! Heck, do both! We won’t judge.
Things to KNOW before you dive:
Jupiter Dive Center offers dedicated Lobster Hunting charters to areas we don’t normally dive and due to the depth of the dive sites, divers must be Advance Open Water certified and all our charters require divers to dive nitrox. (If you aren’t already Nitrox or AOW certified, don’t worry. There’s still time to level-up your certifications. Click on their links above to learn more!)
Things to consider before you dive:
Make sure your dive gear is in good shape and has been serviced. If you haven’t been diving since last mini-season, you need to pay particular attention to your equipment.
Familiarize yourself with the environment and type of diving. The waters off Jupiter can have a stiff current and all the dives are drift dives. If you decide to do a night dive, know that you are comfortable in the dark before lobstering.
On the boat and in the water:
Listen to the boat briefings. They are chock full of information regarding the conditions, the site, what to do in an emergency, and other guidance to make your dive safer and more enjoyable.
Pay attention to your buddy. Hunting or not, the unexpected can still happen. Is your buddy close enough to help? Do you have a plan? How are you going to communicate?
Watch your gauges! In the thrill of the chase, it’s easy to go deeper and stay down longer than you intended.
Make sure you are either pulling a float or are with someone who is. All Jupiter Dive Charters have an in-water diver who pulls a float. Most lobster hunters do not stay with that diver. Be prepared which leads to the next point...
Carry and know how to use a surface marker buoy. You and your buddy may have splintered off from the group or need to ascend. You want to make certain boaters can see you.
Coming up from your dive:
Listen for boat traffic! Sound travels four times faster in water and that makes it impossible to guess a boat’s direction of travel. Ascend safely and look in all directions when you surface.
Getting back on the boat loaded with your equipment and catch is trickier than when you are unencumbered. The boat briefing will cover how to stow your gear and what to do with your catch after you’re topside. Remember; don’t approach the boat before the Captain or a crew member signals that it’s safe.
Upcoming Lobster Sport Season Dives (the fun part!)
The early bird may get the worm, but the early diver gets the bug!
During the mini-season, our charters are scheduled to beat the crowds, and you’ll want to reserve your spot early, as these charters tend to sell out quickly. You can always call the shop at 561-745-7807, or Book Your Dive online.
Wednesday 29 July
6:30 A.M. 2-tank charter departs (Please note the earlier time)
6:30 A.M. 3-tank charter departs (Please note the earlier time)
10:30 A.M. 2-tank charter departs at
Thursday 30 July
6:30 A.M. 3-tank charter departs (Please note the earlier time)
6:30 A.M. 3-tank charter departs (Please note the earlier time)
August lobster hunt charters
If you didn’t get your limit during the sport season, don’t worry. For the first several days of the Regular Spiny Lobster Season, Jupiter Dive Center is running dedicated Lobster Hunt charters in the afternoon. These special charters will run from August 6 through Sunday, August 9.
After that, we transition into charters that explore the Wreck Trek, or focus on goliath groupers as well as reef, Blue Heron Beach guided night dives, and more! Check out our calendar on our Book Your Dive webpage. (And honestly, the Wreck Trek and goliath grouper dives are fan favs!)
Jupiter Dive Center wants to help you make the most of this lobster season. That means staying safe, keeping you informed of the equipment you’ll need, how to comply with state regulations. Most of all, we want you to have a great time. A lobster dinner is just a bonus!
Come dive with us! 🦞
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