From Ralph Figuroa...

Lobster mini-season is the last Wednesday and Thursday of July; this year it's July 26-27. The regular lobster season starts on August 6th and runs through March 31st. You can find the state's official guidelines here:- http://marinefisheries.org/lobster.htmAssuming you are properly licensed, each "hunter" must have a lobster measuring device and have their license with them to allow FWC to do an inspection at sea. Hand nets, tickle sticks, and certain snares are allowed for use by people in the water. Other equipment is allowed for people hunting from land or aboard a boat.You must PROPERLY measure and inspect the lobster BEFORE taking it. That is, it must be legal size, no egg-bearing females, from a legal location, and cannot exceed bag limits. Penalties are VERY harsh and can include confiscation of any and all equipment used to obtain the illegal lobster. This means you can lose your car, boat, trailer, scuba gear, etc. The FWC don't play.I like using the tickle stick/net system better than the snare method, but YMMV. I rig my lobster bag to hang like a stage bottle. Also, we discovered last year that very thin metal rods (about 1/8 in) make better tickle sticks than the ones you can buy in a dive shop. It seems the lobster think its another lobster's antenna and don't get spooked by it.Plan on wearing gloves to avoid the flesh-shredding spines on their carapace. Fortunately, the spiny antenna comes in handy when you're cleaning the lobster.In a nutshell,- Hunters must have valid license and measuring device.- Bubble watchers don't count toward the limit. You must be "actively involved in harvesting".- It's stricter in Monroe county and don't even think about taking lobsters in a protected area.- If they catch you with too many, you'll get a ticket and might lose everything.- If they catch you with a short lobster, you'll get a ticket and might lose everything you own.- If they catch you with egg-bearing female, they beat you like a piata.- Read the website for the details.Ralph