When And Where to Bully Net in the Florida Keys
Bully netting is done over grassy, shallow bottoms from one to six feet deep in fairly close proximity to areas that lobsters can hide during the day — rocks, coral, mangroves, etc. At night, as soon as it’s full dark, the lobsters leave their holes and crevices and spread across the grassy flats to feed, favoring areas with moving water that sweeps their tiny prey items along.
Virtually anywhere in the Keys you can find this setup — shallow, grassy bottom close to structure with moving water — you’ll find lobsters feeding at night. To successfully net, them, though, you’ll also have to be able to see them, and that requires clear, calm water conditions. Fortunately, murky water is unusual in the Keys, and even on windy nights, we can usually hide behind an island find water calm enough for good visibility.
Gear and Boats for Bully Netting
Bully nets can be made or bought. They basically consist of a long wood or metal pole with a round hoop mounted to one end at right angles. The hoop is normally around 20” in diameter and connected to a conical net. Think of it kind of like an upside-down landing net. A string attached to the end of the netting lets you hold the net up out of the way as you maneuver it close to a lobster.
Good lighting is critically important. Above-water lights, including spotlights, flashlight, headlamps and boat-mounted flood lights, glare off the surface. Subsurface lights mounted on vertical poles provide much better light and can be rotated from the boat. We use three Outrigger Outdoors Swamp Eye underwater LEDs putting out a total of nearly 60,000 lumens — 10 to 30 times the output of a typical pair of car headlights. The color tone of our lights can also be adjusted to provide optimal visibility in a range of conditions.
Having the right boat is also important. You’ll want a wide, stable boat with uncluttered decks that can float in a foot of water or less. You’ll also want to be able to stand right at the gunwale — with your toes almost hanging over the edge — so that you can push your net straight down, rather than leaning or reaching. A large, elevated forward deck is ideal. We operate a 17’ Boston Whaler modified with a large, forward deck for netting and an elevated, bow mounted console to give the captain maximum visibility.
Keys Bully Netting Seasons and Limits
Lobster bully netting seasons and limits in the Florida Keys (Monroe County) are the same as for diving.
“Mini-season” — the two-day window when recreational divers and netters can catch lobster before the commercial season opens — is the last Wednesday and Thursday in July. For 2024, that’s July 24 and 25.
Regular season is August 6 through March 31.
Bag limit is 6 lobsters per person per day with a carapace length of more than 3”.