Traditionally, thousands of Keys visitors and residents participate in the spiny lobster sport season. Officials emphasize that it’s important to catch lobsters responsibly and protect their habitats. Florida lobster “mini” sport season, named for its short time duration, begins at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2021, and ends at midnight Thursday, July 29, 2021. The … Read more
The antennae sticking out of the hole gave the creature away. So with great caution and care, I placed my tickle stick behind the Florida Lobster and tried to gently coax it into my net. But with one flip of its tail, it shot out between my legs like a cartoon crustacean, leaving nothing but … Read more
This article isn’t specific about the Florida Keys but most of the information matches what you would do here. Once lobster season rolls around in Florida, the excitement [for Kayak Lobstering] couldn’t be any more on fire. Being the popular thing to do (with a nice payout) many head to the Florida Keys to go … Read more
To paraphrase a famous novel by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of World War I, all quiet on the Key’s front. After an opening salvo on July 29 and 30 followed by an eight-month season from Aug. 6 through March 31, all that will change. An armada of all manner of water craft, large … Read more
The Lionfish Challenge rewards lionfish harvesters withs for lionfish removals. Those with the most lionfish will be crowned the Recreational Lionfish King/Queen and the Commercial Champion.
Coast Guard Sector Key West fisheries law enforcement and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement teams issued six Lacey Act violations in the past two years for not having a Bahamian fishing permit while fishing in Bahamian waters. In order to understand the Bahamian and U.S fishing zones, the first place to start … Read more
A study published earlier this year by a state biologist says the durability of lobster traps contributes to a high number of unintended sea life deaths each year. Casey Butler’s study, “Effects of Ghost Fishing Lobsters in the Florida Keys,” was published Jan. 7 in the ICES Journal of Marine Service. “We’ve found that the … Read more
Will you be fishing for Deep-Water Fish snapper or grouper on your next fishing trip? Continue your role as a conservationist by paying close attention to signs of barotrauma and being prepared to respond.
Are you looking for a place to fish from shore? Check out the FWC new Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. It is best viewed using a computer or tablet with a larger screen. … Read more
At its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) listened to a presentation and stakeholder input on goliath grouper in Florida state waters. The Commission directed staff to continue ongoing efforts that recognize the goliath’s role in the ecosystem and promote stock rebuilding while allowing access to goliath through catch-and-release, ecotourism, and dive … Read more
Male, female and junior anglers — including first responders, veterans and active-duty service members — can test their skills against five finned species Friday through Sunday, June 18-20, during the ninth annual VFW Fishing Tournament. The family-friendly challenge’s target species are mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, snapper and grouper. Cash prizes are to be awarded for the … Read more
Save the date for goliath grouper! The 12th Annual Great Goliath Grouper Count is scheduled to take place June 1–14, 2021. The Great Goliath Grouper Count is a stakeholder-driven effort, made possible through collaboration with Florida Sea Grant, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and county partners. Every year, the project provides a “snapshot” of goliath grouper abundance … Read more
Effective April 1, 2021, regulation changes will go into effect at Western Dry Rocks that prohibit fishing from April 1 – July 31. These changes are aimed at providing benefits for multiple recreationally and commercially important species that aggregate to spawn at Western Dry Rocks, including permit, mutton snapper, gray snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The … Read more
At its February meeting, the FWC approved a proposal to protect multi-species fish spawning aggregations near an area known as Western Dry Rocks. “This decision is based on sound science conducted not only by FWC but also by partners at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “This science-based recommendation has been endorsed by … Read more
Angling teams can vie for awards while targeting the Lower Florida Keys’ wiliest species during the rescheduled Sugarloaf Showdown, a fundraising fishing tournament scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 28-30. Presented by the Lower Keys Guides Association, the seventh annual tournament was originally slated for November 2020 but was postponed because of inclement weather. It raises … Read more
At its December meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a draft proposal to protect fish spawning aggregations near an area known as Western Dry Rocks. Western Dry Rocks, which is about 10 miles south of Key West, is an important spawning location for many recreationally and commercially important species such as … Read more
Snook, spiny lobster, reef fish, sharks from shore, blue crabs and stone crabs caught in traps: What do all these have in common? They each require a special add-on permit, designation or registration on your recreational fishing license. Maybe you’ve heard of these specialty designations, some of which have been around since before the Florida … Read more
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2020-21 High School Fishing Program offers high school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant. This grant program is focused on recruiting new anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, … Read more
A new study provides the first detailed documentation of a shallow water fish diving 450 feet deep to spawn. Uncovering this very rare spawning behavior in bonefish (Albula vulpes) is unprecedented. Using active acoustic telemetry and sonar data along the southern shore of Abaco, The Bahamas, a team of scientists led by Florida Atlantic University’s … Read more
Florida Keys fishing tournaments provide a test of skill for anglers and a chance for captains and guides to share their knowledge of the Keys’ diverse fisheries. While tournaments and other events in the Keys may undergo schedule changes or cancellations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all tournament dates and information are accurate as of … Read more