Florida spiny lobster mini-season is Wednesday, Thursday. What to know

Get ready for 48 hours of lobster-snaring madness.

The spiny lobster mini-season , also called the sport season, starts today and ends tomorrow. For those two days, you can bag double the daily limit allowed during the regular season everywhere in Florida except for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park.

"Florida lobster > Maine lobster," Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez posted Tuesday on X , formerly Twitter.

If you miss out, the regular season starts next month and runs through March next year. You just can't get as many per day.

Here's what you need to know.

What are spiny lobsters?

Spiny lobsters have forward-pointing spines that cover their bodies and help protect them from predators, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their colors can range from almost white to dark red-orange and they have two large cream-colored spots on the top of the second segment of their tails.

"The typical recreational harvest is 1.5 to 2 million pounds between the start of the two-day sport season and Labor Day," the FWC said. "During the time period 2015-2019, commercial harvest averaged over 5 million pounds, with an average annual value of over $40 million. Measured in dollars, the spiny lobster fishery is the second largest commercial fishery in Florida, behind shrimp."

When is the spiny lobster mini-season ?

The last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. This year, that's Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25. It's open to Florida residents and non-residents.

Recreational saltwater fishing licenses and spiny lobster permits are required, unless the individual qualifies as exempt. Divers must follow safe practices and use divers-down flags .

What is the daily bag limit for spiny lobsters during the mini-season?

The bag limit for spiny lobsters during the regular season is 6 per day per person. But during this two-day mini-season (and the extra day on July 14 added this year) the bag limit is doubled to 12.

The limit is still 6 per person in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park.

Possession limits are enforced on and off the water, the FWC warns.

When is the spiny lobster regular season?

If you miss out on the mini-season, don't worry. The regular season runs from Aug. 6, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

What is the minimum size limit for spiny lobster?

The carapace length must be larger than 3 inches , measured in the water, to ensure the lobster is at least two years old. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times.

The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding any soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace, the FWC said.

Can I fish for spiny lobsters everywhere in Florida?

No. Harvesting lobsters is prohibited in these locations:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (only during the mini-season)
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• No-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
• Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary
• The five Coral Reef Protection Areas in Biscayne National Park

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida spiny lobster mini-season is Wednesday, Thursday. What to know