The mini season, or sport season, is so popular that it is very difficult to find hotel rooms in the Keys during this time. You will even have trouble finding a spot in a campground! The Florida Keys are just buzzing with energy during these few days, and it's a really exciting time to be here. Each diver is allowed to take six lobsters per day, and you can't go out at night to get them. The earliest you can get out there is sunrise, and you can stay out until sunset. You also cannot dive for lobsters in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during the mini season.

Lobstering isn't really that difficult, and sometimes the lobsters are found in water shallow enough so that you won't need dive equipment. However, although it may be possible to snorkel for lobsters in some areas, you will usually need dive equpment. Lobsters are nocturnal, and during the day they hide under rocks, reefs, caves, and any other structure that will shield them from daylight. Since they are good at hiding, you'll have to scout around under water for them, which is why it's handy to have dive equipment. Look for little underwater shelters, and then look for the lobsters hiding, and sometimes the only thing visible will be just one antenna, so look closely. Scour the area for antennae sticking out, and if you see one, you might get a whole group of lobsters hiding together. So once you've found a little lobster club hanging out under a rock, the next step is to coax them out so you can grab 'em.