Florida 2025 Spiny Lobster Mini Season Rules, Regulations & Tips
- When is the Florida 2025 Spiny Lobster Mini Season for Florida?
- Where Can You Find Florida Spiny Lobster?
- Florida Spiny Lobster Mini Season Regulations
- What Gear Do You Need to Catch Spiny Lobster in Florida?
- How to Catch Spiny Lobster in Florida
- How to Measure Spiny Lobster
- How to Clean Spiny Lobster
- Catch Some Lionfish Along the Way
California 2025 Spiny Lobster Season Rules, Regulations & Tips
- When is the California 2025 Spiny Lobster Season?
- Where Can You Find Spiny Lobster in California?
- How to Catch Spiny Lobster in California
- California Spiny Lobster Season Regulations
Florida 2025 Spiny Lobster Mini Season Rules, Regulations & Tips
For Floridians, Spiny Lobster Mini Season might as well be a state holiday. People travel from all over to take part in the two-day long season and pull up a few tasty catches. We'll walk you through all the gear you need and a few regulations to make sure you don't run into any trouble.
When is the Florida 2025 Spiny Lobster Mini Season?
Florida’s Spiny Lobster Mini Season occurs the last Wednesday and Thursday of July. The 2025 Spiny Lobster mini season will run from July 30–31 and is a two-day recreational-only harvest before commercial harvest is allowed.
Where Can you Find Florida Spiny Lobster?
The east coast of Florida from Vero Beach all the way down to the Florda Keys are great for catching spiny lobster. The shallow reefs along the coast are prime lobster spots and the clear waters make them easy to see. Once you settled on a spot, swim or paddle out, dive down and look for antenna where the sand meets the edge of a ledge. If you aren’t seeing any antenna, look for spots that have a lot of pork fish since they prefer the same environment as lobster.
What Gear Do You Need to Catch Spiny Lobster in Florida?
A lobstering kit has most of gear you need to get started. Pick up a dive flag and a snorkel as well and you're set!
Getting started doesn’t require much and we have all the lobstering gear you need to dive in. You can piece together your setup from the list below or get most of the gear you need in a lobster kit and add on the rest from there.
Your checklist for spiny lobster hunting:
- A valid Saltwater Fishing License and a lobster permit which can be purchased from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
- Lobster gauge
- Tickle stick
- Gloves
- Catch net
- Catch bag
- Lobster snare
- Snorkel or Scuba Gear
- Dive flag
- Last, but not least, you should always have a dive buddy on the water. Diving with someone else is much safer and not to mention more fun!
How to Catch Spiny Lobster in Florida
Once you’ve found your quarry, use your tickle stick to slide behind the tail and tickle the lobster out from cover making sure to avoid touching the antennas. Go slow and don’t force it if the lobster tries to crawl back under cover. Once the lobster is out from under the ledge, slide your catch net between the lobster’s tail and the shelf and close the net down on the lobster. Use your gloved hand to control it so you can measure it and check for eggs. Any undersized lobsters or lobsters carrying eggs can’t be kept and must be released immediately.
How to Measure Spiny Lobster
A lobster gauge makes it easy to measure your catch and make sure it meets regulations
Florida regulations require that the carapace of your catch must be larger than 3" and all lobsters must be measured before they are removed from the water. To measure your catch, place one end of your lobster gauge between the lobster's eyes and slide it up until it catches and stops on the ridge just above the eyes. If the end of the carapce is past the back end of the gauge, you can keep it. If the carapace ends inside the gauge, you must release it immediately.
Florida Spiny Lobster Mini Season Regulations
- Season: The last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July
- Daily Bag Limit: 6 per person for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park; 12 per person for the rest of Florida
- Possession limit on the water: Equal to the daily bag limit
- Possession limit off the water: Equal to the daily bag limit on the first day and double the daily bag limit on the second day
- Minimum Size Limit: Carapace must be larger than 3", measured in the water. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times.
- Night Diving: Prohibited in Monroe County (ONLY during sport season) Diving is defined as swimming at or below the surface of the water.
- Licenses & permits: Unless exempt, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobster
- Landing lobster: Lobster must be landed in whole condition. Separating the tail from the body is prohibited in state waters.
- Egg bearing lobsters: The harvest or possession of eggbearing spiny lobster, or any other eggbearing species of lobster belonging to the families Palinuridae (spiny lobsters), Scyllaridae (slipper lobsters) or Synaxidae (furry lobsters) is prohibited
For more information, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision website.
How to Clean Spiny Lobster
To remove the tail, hold the head of the lobster in one hand and the tail in the other and twist the tail away from you. Lobster tails have a habit of spraying when separated so make sure to twist over the water or a fillet table. To remove the intestinal tract, take a piece of the lobster's antenna and insert it base first about 2-3 inches into the anal opening at the base of the tail. When you pull the antenna back out, the spines on the antenna should grab on to the intestinal track an start pulling it out the opening. Grab the intestinal track with your hand and pull it the rest of the way out to finish de-veining the lobster.
Catch Some Lionfish Along the Way
Lionfish are an invasive species in Florida reefs and frequent the same spots as spiny lobster. If you bring along a fishing spear with a paralyzer tip, chances are you can score a few lionfish along the way as well. There are no lionfish catch limits or size restrictions in Florida so catch as many as you want and cook em up with your lobster after. If you do come across some, be careful of their venomous spines when harvesting them. For more gear advice, check out our How to Catch Lionfish West Advisor Quick Tip
California 2025 Spiny Lobster Season Rules, Regulations & Gear Guide
As the sun sets on the last Friday of September, the anticipation among California's marine enthusiasts reaches a fever pitch. The opening of the California spiny lobster season is not just a date on the calendar; it's a celebration of the state's rich marine culture. From recreational boaters to seasoned anglers, the allure of catching these clawless crustaceans draws thousands to the waters each year. But what makes the California spiny lobster so special, and how can you make the most of this season? Let's dive into the details.
When is the California 2025 Spiny Lobster Mini Season?
For recreational fishers, the California 2025–2026 season opens at 6:00 p.m. on September 26, 2025, and closes at midnight on March 18, 2026. The commercial season typically mirrors these dates, starting on the first Wednesday in October and ending on the first Wednesday after March 15. Early in the season, lobsters are more accessible as they remain closer to shore, making fall the prime time for catching them.
Where Can You Find Spiny Lobster in California?
Southern California, with its rocky crevices and kelp forests, offers ideal habitats for spiny lobsters. The spiny lobster fishery runs from Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexico border, including the areas surrounding the Channel Island. Spiny lobster fishing is only allowed in California Marine Districts 18, 19, 20 and 20A and popular spots include the waters off San Diego, where the season is eagerly anticipated by local communities. You can view a map of all California Marine Districts on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. As winter approaches, lobsters migrate offshore, presenting a greater challenge for anglers.
California Recreational Spiny Lobster Season Regulations
- Season: Recreational lobster season opens at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October and closes at 11:59:59 p.m. on the first Wednesday after the 15th of March. The 2025-2026 California season opens at 6:00 p.m. on September 26, 2025, and closes at midnight on March 18, 2026.
- Recreational Bag and Possession Limit: Seven lobsters per person.
- Minimum Size Limit: 3¼ inches carapace length, measured in a straight line on the midline of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell. All spiny lobsters must be measured immediately and any undersize lobsters must be released back into the water.
- License Requirements: CDFW Spiny Lobster Report Card and California sport fishing license, available at CDFW's Online License Sales and Service. An Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required if fishing in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County), unless fishing under the authority of a one- or two-day California sport fishing license.
- Skin and Scuba Diver Gear Restrictions: All skin and scuba divers must only use their hands to take lobster.
- Pier Fishing Gear Restrictions: You may use up to 2 hoop nets while fishing from a public pier.
- Vessel Fishing Gear Restrictions: You may possess up to 5 hoop nets while fishing from a vessel, but the total number of hoop nets on a vessel cannot exceed 10, even if there are more than 2 people on the boat.
- Hoop Nets Prohibited 24 Hours Prior to the Season Opener: Hoop nets may not be deployed south of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County during the 24 hours leading up to the recreational lobster season opener.
Need More Help?
West Marine is the perfect place to get ready for your next fishing, crabbing or lobstering trip. We offer free line spooling and locally assorted tackle in most of our stores to gear you up for what’s biting in your area. Plus, with plenty of anglers on our crew, we have the know-how you need to get ready. Find your store here.
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