Are you looking for a unique snorkeling experience in Panama City, Florida? If so, you may be interested in discovering the coastal reefs and piers for spiny lobsters. These crustaceans, related to crayfish, have a rigid outer skeleton that they shed as they grow and are known for their speed, making them difficult to catch. In the Keys, you can find lobsters in the shallow waters of the bays and on deep offshore wrecks. The average lobster has a shell that is three inches long and weighs about a pound.
It is illegal to catch lobsters that are too small, so make sure to measure them before you take them. If you're looking for a more challenging experience, you can try hunting lobsters on the open sand. Marine biologists have tracked locusts equipped with sonar tags for weeks on end, and they have been known to travel up to 78 miles in 42 days. However, these creatures are faster than you think, so be prepared to be outsmarted by a crustacean! When hunting lobsters in Florida waters, make sure to stay within 300 feet of an open water dive flag or less than 100 feet in narrow rivers, inlets and canals.
You must also keep your boat at idle if it is within 300 feet of an open water dive flag or less than 100 feet in narrow rivers, inlets and canals. It is also important to note that it is illegal to twist or separate the tail from the body section of a lobster unless you have a permit to do so. Additionally, if you have lobsters on your boat that were caught in another area, you cannot stop at a sanctuary and go swimming, diving or snorkeling. If you're looking for an unforgettable snorkeling experience in Panama City, Florida, consider exploring the coastal reefs and piers for spiny lobsters.
Make sure to follow all regulations and be prepared to be outsmarted by these speedy crustaceans!.
