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Ft Pierce Mini Lobster Season 7/26-7/27

Discussion in 'Scalloping, Lobstering, Crabbing, Claiming' started by keep it reel, Jul 29, 2017.


  1. keep it reel

    keep it reel Lieutenant Commander
    Thread Started By

    my normal crew of Ola, Denise, Doug and myself opted to give lobster mini season a try this year. We did some research and chose Ft Pierce as our dive area. We chose this area because of the close proximity of a campground and the inshore shallow reefs. Great place to dive.
    There are several dive shops in the area and quite a few boat ramps which make a very easy to hit the water.
    The first day we got our gear loaded minus one who had to drive back to Orlando because her granddaughter got in a car accident on the 528. She is doing ok btw. So we get the boat launched expecting hundreds of boats and there are very few ( where are all the boats ??? )
    All the stories I've heard over the years and no boats. As the sun started up the boats did start to show but not the numbers I was expecting. Oh well, so much for hype...
    So we're heading out of Ft Pierce inlet and the seas are calm and the suns coming up and it is beautiful out.
    IMG_4090.JPG
    This was taken while heading out of Ft Pierce inlet with my iPhone.
    The water was like glass. You could see the bottom in 40 feet IMG_4106.JPG IMG_4104.JPG
    IMG_4135.jpg
    Doug and I getting ready to submerge
    IMG_4097.JPG
    Doug is happy with this one
    IMG_4114.JPG
    Still smiling.
    Only caught the one and let go a short and lost one bigger than this.
    Fun time and definitely a learning experience. These big bugs won't fit into those little nets.
    IMG_4143.JPG
    This is where we stayed. KOA in Ft Pierce. Very close to the inlet.
    We're heading for marathon in 2 weeks to go lobstering and whatever else we can get into.

    IMG_4133.JPG
     
    keep it reel, Jul 29, 2017
    #1
    Nocatfish, mkyota1, Love2Fish and 1 other person like this.
  2. Bob C

    Bob C Master Gunner

    My Sunday fishing buddy, and GM where I work, has a group a friends that always hit the Keys for mini season. He will be back to work on Monday and if he has pics and such I will post a report for him. That is a nice lobster in the photo!
     
    Bob C, Jul 29, 2017
    #2
    keep it reel likes this.
  3. Goggle Eye

    Goggle Eye Seaman Recruit

    Nice catch and pics. Good luck down in the keys.
     
    Goggle Eye, Jul 29, 2017
    #3
    keep it reel likes this.
  4. slaysled

    slaysled Treasure Hunter

    It was tough going here this year. Typically we fill the cooler with those large bugs, rarely have to measure. Some years we can have cold water which my skinny butt hates but if it pushes in the bugs so be it. My avatar pic is a 10.75 lber that came from 12' about two miles north of inlet at pepper park. You would be amazed at some of the holes on the beach you can find. Swim in with light and can't find the back (downright scary). If you come back down PM me and get my number. Be glad to give some numbers if you want to shoot Grouper and Snapper and catch bugs in the 80'-90' grounds. TFTR and hope u come give Ft. Pierce another go !
     
    slaysled, Jul 29, 2017
    #4
    keep it reel likes this.
  5. Ken Boone

    Ken Boone Seaman Recruit

    Thats a nice looking bug! Thanks for posting, Ken.
     
    Ken Boone, Jul 29, 2017
    #5
    keep it reel likes this.
  6. Bossman

    Bossman Moderator on Deck Staff Member

    Dang it man, imagine a limit of those bugs.
     
    Bossman, Jul 29, 2017
    #6
  7. keep it reel

    keep it reel Lieutenant Commander
    Thread Started By

    We're planning on making ft pierce a stop off point or a weekend dive area. I really enjoyed all the shallow reefs which kept the women happy.
    We'll make a few trips a year to ft pierce.
    I was told you can shoot some big gags in the river too.
     
    keep it reel, Jul 30, 2017
    #7
  8. keep it reel

    keep it reel Lieutenant Commander
    Thread Started By

    We tried to imagine it. We lost a real big one. He flapped his tail twice and he was half way to the Bahamas
     
    keep it reel, Jul 30, 2017
    #8
  9. keep it reel

    keep it reel Lieutenant Commander
    Thread Started By

    This will give you an idea how clear the water was in 40 feet. Shot with my GoPro from the boat. Doug and Denise on the bottom, GoPro submerged just below the surface.
    IMG_4194.PNG
    IMG_4189.PNG
     
    keep it reel, Aug 1, 2017
    #9
  10. lobsterman

    lobsterman Seaman Recruit

    Nice going Ken! That is a nice size lobster!
     
    lobsterman, Aug 1, 2017
    #10
  11. nat55611

    nat55611 Cabin Boy

    IMG_5086.JPG Nice pictures and post
    I spoke to a dive shop who said locals catch a lot of lobster in river at night also he said his biggest lobster (15lbs) came from 10ft deep

    Thought I would throw this photo in of one hanging in restaurant on ft pierce inlet
    ( my son is 6.1 tall )
     
    nat55611, Aug 2, 2017
    #11
  12. bogman102

    bogman102 Petty Officer

    Great report and pictures! I like the underwater shots with the GoPro.
     
    bogman102, Aug 2, 2017
    #12
  13. scasios76

    scasios76 Blackbeard

    Nice report. That is a big bug.
     
    scasios76, Aug 2, 2017
    #13
  14. chickenchaps

    chickenchaps Pirate

    Oh my!!! That is Fantastic!!! So jealous! Great job!!
     
    chickenchaps, Aug 5, 2017
    #14
  15. creativ44

    creativ44 Pirate

    Nice! Going to have to try Ft Pierce this year. Just doing the dreaming right now.
     
    creativ44, Aug 5, 2017
    #15
  16. Sandra Pillows

    Sandra Pillows Treasure Hunter

    Wow!...that is a beauty!. nice ...
     
    Sandra Pillows, Aug 7, 2017
    #16
  17. Lynnae

    Lynnae Rigger

    Great report. Awesome pictures! Love me some lobster! Used to load up on em, back in the day. Wish I could still do it. Need some good friends who are willing to share... cough cough. Lol!
     
    Lynnae, Aug 8, 2017
    #17
  18. Nocatfish

    Nocatfish Seaworthy

    Great report and even better pics. Ft. Pierce is a great place to fish, I know that! The inlet is an incredible place to catch giant Snook.
    Amazing water clarity...it looks like you're filming in the Bahamas.
     
    Nocatfish, Aug 9, 2017
    #18

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