Mini-Season, Snorkeling from Shore

[Herby]

13 years ago I used to go to the Keys and snorkel from the shore, near the fishing bridges, for Lobster during Mini-Season. Is this still allowed? If not, is there anywhere in Dade or Monroe county that I can snorkel from shore for Florida Lobster?
Thanks

[BRunner346]

13 years ago I used to go to the Keys and snorkel from the shore, near the fishing bridges, for Lobster during Mini-Season. Is this still allowed? If not, is there anywhere in Dade or Monroe county that I can snorkel from shore for Florida Lobster?
Thanks

from shore yes it is but i believe the law is that the sun has to be up... cant be out there in the dark.

[PhishingPhanatic]

Also be very careful with the tides, you usually have about a 30 min window during slack tide, after that, the current will be ripping and you might end up 2 miles offshore before you know it.

[fixed80]

hello and welcome to BF.

[Herby]

Thanks for the welcome and replies.

I was reading the regs a bit more carefully and studying the prohibtied areas of Monroe County. It seems the regs have changed a bit. Here are some links and I am going to cut and paste the important bits here.
http://www.myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltw ... obster.htm
http://www.myfwc.com/docs/RulesRegulati ... ochure.pdf
Tell me what you guys think? How would you interpret the regs below?

The following areas are under local jurisdiction and
subject to the following:
• Unincorporated Monroe County(Tavanier, Key Largo, etc.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_Cou ... _and_areas
• Islamorada, Village of Islands
• City of Key Colony Beach **
• City of Marathon
No diving or snorkeling within:
• 300 feet of improved residential or commercial shoreline
• any manmade or private canal
• any public or private marina
** In the City of Key Colony Beach this rule applies
during the 4 days preceding Sport Season and continues until 10 days have elapsed after the opening of Regular Season.

It seems to me that it is prohibited to snorkel for lobster from shore during the sport season in the entire Keys.

As for Biscayne Bay, because of the Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, it is out of the question snorkeling from the shore anywhere in Bisacayne National Park, like at Black Point or Homestead Bayfront Park.

The last option I can think of is, Key Biscayne. Has anybody ever tried snorkeling for Lobster from Key Biscayne? I have never heard of anybody doing that.
Any other ideas, besides going on a boat, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again.

[fishnfool73]

I used to regularly limit out in the Keys from the shore then I heard that it was illegal to do so and stopped. I know of people that limit out in Biscayne Bay by bullynetting at night. I am sure if you find some bottom structure ie wreck, rock, or garbage on the bottom you should be able to find a few if you beat the crowds out there.