Bahamas Yacht Charters

What’s the easiest way to catch Bahamian lobster?

Published by melaniemadon Monday, December 29th, 2008 in Explore the Bahamas, Yacht Charter Advise |

A recent blogger asked for advise on the easiest way to catch lobster (known as spiny lobster) in the Bahamas. Since the sweet tender white meat is one of my fresh seafood favorites, I perfected the art of catching these delicious “bugs”  over the years and have thus eaten my fair share of Spiny lobster in the Bahamas. Not to say I’ve met my lifetime quota – there’s certainly a few more “bugs” in the Bahamas with my name on ‘em.

Lobster season in The Bahamas opens August 1 and runs through March 31st, and there are some very specific rules you must abide by as a visitor.  Taking lobster out of season is an obvious no no. Nothing more needs to be stated on that. You must obtain a fishing permit when you clear customs, in Florida the permits are required for each person, in the Bahamas the permits are obtained for the boat. If you’re on a chartered yacht, chances are they carry a legal fishing permit, but be sure to ask your charter agent, or check with the capatin directly if catching fresh lobster is on your holiday agenda. You should also check with the Bahamas fisheries department or the customs officer where you get your fishing permit for current regulations on size and daily limits.

It’s illegal to take anything (fish, lobster, conch, anything) out of the water while breathing compressed air, so that means no dive tanks, no third lungs, etc…  if you’re catching lobster in the Bahamas then you must be free diving.  Bahamas authorities are very serious about enforcing this and other fisheries rules—to the extent that law-breakers could forfeit their entire boat, much less their catch, and of course this would really put a damper on your yacht charter holiday. Possession of lobsters and scuba gear on the same boat can be construed as a violation, regardless of how you caught the lobsters, according to the Ministry of Tourism.  So don’t venture out in the tender with a couple folks who just want to scuba dive and watch. Keep the dive gear on the yacht, and only have snorkel gear with you in the tender.

Tickle sticks and a good dive bag with a wire enforced ring in the opening are great for beginners and experienced lobster hunters alike. Spear guns are illegal in the Bahamas, but for the more skilled free divers – a Hawaiian sling or a pole spear are very effective tools.  The challenge with this of course, is you must be sure that the lobster you’re going after is of legal size and not a female with eggs before the excitement gets the best of you and you release the spear from the sling. You see – you can’t catch and release a speared lobster – ugh!

If you’re going to use a Hawaiian sling, then I recommend you have someone snorkeling with you who can carry a mesh bag to put them in as you spear them, since you’re going to need both hands to operate the sling.  But make sure they’re a good strong swimmer, not a scardy cat and they have a spear in hand, too for protection (assuming you’re really good at catching them, barracuda and sharks may be drawn to the area after a while). Be careful not to venture too far from your anchored boat or tender, either.  And be sure not to free dive in an area so deep you can’t swim to the bottom. That’s a sure way to lose an expensive stainless steel spear – I learned that one the hard way!

Be sure not to take ‘em too small and definitely don’t cheat and use air. Not just for legality sake, but this is how the population is preserved and why there are still spiny lobster to be had in the Bahamas.

In certain areas on the banks you’ll find artificial shelters that the locals have created to attract lobsters. These may be a piece of tin roof or an awning laying on the bottom. Sometimes they’ll use a cement block to hold it in place from the currents and tides. While the locals who created these temporary habitats would likely prefer you don’t look for lobsters there, I don’t know of any legal prohibition. If you’re a strong free diver, the deeper ledges in 30 to 40 feet will often have quite a few lobsters, and you get the joy of knowing it’s a bit more fair for the lobsters, too. Lobster traps are set by the Bahamian fisherman and you’ll see them with a variety of floats (often old milk bottles). Taking lobster from a trap is really not cool to say the least. Just leave the traps alone.

If all else fails – I’ve even traded american cheese and iced cold soda for lobster tails from a local Bahamian boat. One of my more successful negotiations. I don’t know about you, but I prefer lobster – to each his own. Of course most of the charter captains I recommend and their crew are adept at providing fresh seafood for the charter guests, and the local restaurants, especially on the quaint little out islands, make for an awesome experience and an ideal setting to enjoy some fresh grilled lobster and Bahamian hospitality. 

While your charter yacht chef undoubtedly has his or her own fantastic lobster recipes, you may enjoy trying a few lobster recipes from the Lobsters with Laura website.

 Have a great time, and if you’re looking for an awesome Bahamas Yacht Charter experience give me a call at 800.758.9676 or drop me a note by email: melanie@mgmyachts.com.

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