I did it. I had a friend who said his uncle in Florida would free dive off of a 30’+ Boston Whaler and just pick them up. We planned a trip 6 months out for the mini season. Long story short, on the ride down there, the 30’+ Boston Whaler slowly degraded into one kayak for a whole family. We literally walked across the beach into the surf and swam out to sea with this kayak in tow with a flag on it. It was crazy. I swam for 4-5 hours in the ocean w/o any flotation. I had trained for months, but mostly on diving and holding breath. I was fine, not sure I’d do it again though. My buddy turned back in the surf saying it was an insane idea. There was a fluffy wife and a 10 year old kid, so I figured I was at least as capable as them and someone else would want to stop before I did. It wasn’t bad, there was never a point I felt like floating was a problem.
That day, we ended up with about 10 lobster with 5 people diving to between 20’-30’ 1-2 miles offshore. It was really cool, but not that productive. We also took a pole spear for fish, came up with a few close misses, but no meat.
The next day, the elusive Boston Whaler did appear. It was a neighbor’s boat, he had to work the day before. I didn’t get that part of the story the first day, just thought the Whaler never existed. It made a big difference, of course. We hung on to a couple of ski ropes out the back and slow trolled along the reefs until we saw lobster antennae poking out of the rocks. We’d flag the driver to stop and start diving. One rock (that I recognized) produced 17 keeper lobster. I have to admit, catching a lobster is not easy. It’s like you’re a kid all over again touching frogs for the first time. The lobster freak out and you have to just grab w/o a care and let it go nuts. Shove it into a bag. Don’t grab their antennae, they just break off.
Alas, I busted an ear drum on that day and ended up puking over the rail of that nice Boston Whaler. We were in the deepest water of the weekend and I’m not a professi
The mini 2 day season is a zoo in the Keys. Every motel room will be booked and long lines at every restaurant and bar. Rates are double normal. No way would I get into that.
I do it a couple of weeks every year on the gulf side or Marathon in 8-12ft of water and have a blast. I do not do mini season, too crazy. PM me if you want, would be happy to share info.
I spent the better part of 5 years living and guiding in the Lower Keys and killed more than my fair share of lobsters. I’ve got a few recommendations of guides who can put you on some great lobster spots. Shoot me a pm if you want some I fo
Mini Bug season is 48 hours of pure chaos! I’ve done it several times,and usually find all the bugs I need on the “Patch Reef”…If you don’t already have arrangements for a boat rental,you’ll have a hard time finding one I suspect. Same with accomidations. Follow the regs precisely… The Fish and Game will be out in force!