Shovelhead/Slipper Lobster

[Decker]

This morning I dove with Pro Dive and encountered a couple of shovelhead lobsters scurrying about the reef while the "normal" lobster were holed up with their antenna sticking out. I asked and no one could come up with an explanation as to why these normally very shy nocturnal animals would be out during full day light while their cousins were hunkered down. I have only seen this type of lobster in the past during night dives... Could it have something to do with molting or mating?

If anyone knows I would be very interested in the answer!!!

Thanks

Decker

 

[ONESPEED]

I've seen shovelnose out in the open too but more often than not they are holed up like their spiny cousins. Last week I spotted a couple of spiny's wandering around in the open too, sometimes they just get suicidal, not sure why.

FYI, for anyone who doesn't know there is no closed season on shovelnose lobster but it is still illegal to take egg bearing females.

 

[jmorriss]

I've seen shovelnose out in the open too but more often than not they are holed up like their spiny cousins. Last week I spotted a couple of spiny's wandering around in the open too, sometimes they just get suicidal, not sure why.

FYI, for anyone who doesn't know there is no closed season on shovelnose lobster but it is still illegal to take egg bearing females.

Are they as tasty as their currently out of season cousins?

 

[ONESPEED]

Are they as tasty as their currently out of season cousins?

I personally don't care for lobster but I have many friends who swear they are better and sweeter tasting than spiny lobster. I even have a couple of friends who won't eat spiny's but will eat shovelnose.

 

[jmorriss]

I personally don't care for lobster but I have many friends who swear they are better and sweeter tasting than spiny lobster. I even have a couple of friends who won't eat spiny's but will eat shovelnose.

Can they be found in the North Gulf, say Panama City vicinity?

 

[Johnoly]

Are they as tasty as their currently out of season cousins?

In my opinion they are sweeter tasting than the regular spiney's. The meat also is flakey'r . I also don't see them out in the open unless at night, but I usually look for them hanging upside down inside a ledge. They are very hard to spot, but if you are searching with a light, even in the daylight, their eye's will light up giving them away.

 

[FredT]

Can they be found in the North Gulf, say Panama City vicinity?

occasionally. when you find one look around. They seem to travel in herds. Normally one or more large females, escorted by several males this time of year. I tend to leave the females, but males are "disposable"

 

[jmorriss]

occasionally. when you find one look around. They seem to travel in herds. Normally one or more large females, escorted by several males this time of year. I tend to leave the females, but males are "disposable"

:cool3:

 

[Wayward Son]

I caught this one diving out of PCB

 

[RaginCajun]

Recent lobster report from PCB.

wreck raider lobster report - Spearboard Spearfishing Community