OP
Michael Alonso
Registered
thanks for all of the great advice guys, it seems like i'm going to sit this one out
Florida Lobster Mini-Season Questions & Advise
- Thread starter Michael Alonso
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Very smart!
OP
Michael Alonso
Registered
besides, now with tropical storm chanal, it might be another 2 weeks before i do dives 3 and 4 of the OW certification
Chugwhump
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,911
- Reaction score
- 845
- # of dives
- None - Not Certified
Mini-Season is just so damned dangerous for a new diver, and one weekend a year warrior.
I am NOT advocating that you do it like I do it, but there are safe ways to do it, with experience, experienced buddies, with specific gear.
Here is how I do it.
From shore. (less crowded)
At midnight (both good and bad)
Somewhere in LBTS. (in an out of the way place)
With a Faber 149 pumped up tight. (thanks goodness for giant steel tanks)
With buddies that I have dove with for years and years. (I LOVE diving with new people, and neophytes, but NOT for Mini-Season)
In a relaxed mood. (And totally sober)
In an unhurried fashion. (as in.....no worries)
So......for those new divers that might be thinking of doing this, be warned and listen to those of us that have seen the insanity and body bags, missing limbs, and sad families,
This is the most unsafe, most reckless, most dangerous time in SoFla to be in the water, near the water, or even working on a boat.
I guess all I need to point out is that every LEO, Paramedic, and Chamber Attendant that I know HATE the Mini-Season.
And the guys from Sea-Tow and Boat-US............ LOVE IT!
Go figure.
Chug
Let's be careful out there.
I am NOT advocating that you do it like I do it, but there are safe ways to do it, with experience, experienced buddies, with specific gear.
Here is how I do it.
From shore. (less crowded)
At midnight (both good and bad)
Somewhere in LBTS. (in an out of the way place)
With a Faber 149 pumped up tight. (thanks goodness for giant steel tanks)
With buddies that I have dove with for years and years. (I LOVE diving with new people, and neophytes, but NOT for Mini-Season)
In a relaxed mood. (And totally sober)
In an unhurried fashion. (as in.....no worries)
So......for those new divers that might be thinking of doing this, be warned and listen to those of us that have seen the insanity and body bags, missing limbs, and sad families,
This is the most unsafe, most reckless, most dangerous time in SoFla to be in the water, near the water, or even working on a boat.
I guess all I need to point out is that every LEO, Paramedic, and Chamber Attendant that I know HATE the Mini-Season.
And the guys from Sea-Tow and Boat-US............ LOVE IT!
Go figure.
Chug
Let's be careful out there.
TheOnlyRae
Contributor
- Messages
- 5,120
- Reaction score
- 1,969
- # of dives
- I just don't log dives
Micheal, smart decision. Finish your class, get in some serious bottom time just diving and honing your skills. And then in a few months after all the frenzy, meet up with some very experienced local divers or hire a dive guide who will mentor you and show the safest and most effective ways to lobster hunt without tearing up the reefs.
Somewhat related question:
Given the undeniable risks associated with mini season, why do they continue to allow it? Is it to vent some of the pressure of the first weeks in regular lobster season? Is it the associated tourist income?
Given the undeniable risks associated with mini season, why do they continue to allow it? Is it to vent some of the pressure of the first weeks in regular lobster season? Is it the associated tourist income?
iluvtheocean
Contributor
best guess is yes... it does bring in tourism dollars among other reasons.. it's lobster and it pays for itself with 2 lobsters anyways. much cheaper than retail at the store or a restaurant 
and i agree with everyone else... wait for regular season.. that's what i'm doing
don't forget task loading goes way up when bug hunting as well. You'll have to deal with normal items such as buoyancy, air consumption (keep a close eye on guages - air & depth) and you've got your hands full of tickle stick & net or snare. lots of different things to concentrate on.
Check out Chiefy's book on Catching the Bug, should be able to find it at most shops. Gold Coast is having a seminar on it hosted by Chiefy on the 22nd @ 7pm. It's worth checking out even if going to wait until after mini
Catching the BUG Seminar - Gold Coast Scuba Divers (954) 616-5909 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) - Meetup
something i think he mentioned at one point is where you find lionfish you most likely will find lobster and vice versa... so bring your lionfish spears too!
and i agree with everyone else... wait for regular season.. that's what i'm doing
don't forget task loading goes way up when bug hunting as well. You'll have to deal with normal items such as buoyancy, air consumption (keep a close eye on guages - air & depth) and you've got your hands full of tickle stick & net or snare. lots of different things to concentrate on.
Check out Chiefy's book on Catching the Bug, should be able to find it at most shops. Gold Coast is having a seminar on it hosted by Chiefy on the 22nd @ 7pm. It's worth checking out even if going to wait until after mini
Catching the BUG Seminar - Gold Coast Scuba Divers (954) 616-5909 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) - Meetup
something i think he mentioned at one point is where you find lionfish you most likely will find lobster and vice versa... so bring your lionfish spears too!
- Messages
- 5,120
- Reaction score
- 1,969
- # of dives
- I just don't log dives
Here are a couple of important Mini-season threads:
Revive Your Dive: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...heck-boat-check-mini-lobster-season-keys.html
It is important to keep you dive skills refreshed and current. FL Keys Dive Operators are sponsoring FREE refresher courses. There are others all over the state so please check with your local dive shops for refreshers and gear check-ups before you splash.
Know Before You Go: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/un...efore-you-go-2013-florida-lobster-season.html
Links to FWC regulations.
Dive Safe!
Revive Your Dive: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...heck-boat-check-mini-lobster-season-keys.html
It is important to keep you dive skills refreshed and current. FL Keys Dive Operators are sponsoring FREE refresher courses. There are others all over the state so please check with your local dive shops for refreshers and gear check-ups before you splash.
Know Before You Go: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/un...efore-you-go-2013-florida-lobster-season.html
Links to FWC regulations.
Dive Safe!
Well Rae, obviously you have not dived with some of the people I have. I have seen people ditch their rigs to squeeze in after a lobster. I have seen LOTS of people shove their arms up to their shoulder into a hole after a lobster. And I got one guy who didn't notice that he had drained his tank chasing some damn fool crustacean. The reason that I was still down there to rescue him was that I was screwing with yet another unneeded anchor that I had just found.
It has nothing to do with tourist income. The local boat ramps and commercial boats north of the Keys will be full of people from Floriduh. Tourists in fact are at risk during mini-season. The State of Floriduh would like to do away with mini-season but cannot do so. The crazed, boisterous populations of Miami-Dade and Broward counties would surely riot and go berserk.
Similar threads
