Lobstering Gear: The Complete Checklist

You don't need a boatload of expensive equipment to catch lobster in Florida, but a few key items make all the difference between a frustrating day and a cooler full of bugs. Here's the complete checklist, from the tools you'll hold underwater to the paperwork you're legally required to carry.

The lobstering essentials

These are the tools you'll actually use to catch and keep lobster:

• Lobster gauge: required by law, one per diver. A metal gauge holds up better than plastic. Use it to measure every lobster in the water. Verify your gauge is accurate by measuring it yourself.
• Tickle stick: a slim rod (about three feet) used to coax lobster out of holes. The tip must be blunt, since sharp implements are illegal.
• Short-handled net: to scoop the lobster once it's out of cover. Works best with a tickle stick.
• Tail snare: a cable loop that cinches around the tail; often better than a net on reef. Many divers opt for a snare instead of a net & tickle stick combo.
• Puncture-resistant gloves: spines, rock, and coral will shred bare hands.
• Catch bag: a mesh bag to hold your catch while you keep working a spot.

Dive gear

• Mask, snorkel, and fins: a mask that fits and won't fog is the single most important comfort item. Long-blade freediving fins help you cover ground and dive efficiently.
• Exposure protection: a rashguard or thin wetsuit, and in cooler months a 3mm suit is nice to have.
• Dive light: for peering under ledges and into holes, even during the day.

Helpful extras

• Marker buoys: drop one as you pass over a spot so it's easy to find once you're in the water. A 2-liter bottle, some line, and a weight make a fine one in a pinch.
• Surface float with a flag: clip your catch bag to it on drift dives.
• A fish-finder or depth finder on the boat to confirm structure before you jump in.

The legal must-haves

You can't legally lobster without these:

• A Florida recreational saltwater fishing license
• A spiny lobster permit
• A dive flag, visible from all directions whenever divers are in the water
• A measuring device for every harvester in the water

See the full Florida lobstering rules for the details.

Don't forget the boat

If you're running a boat, lobstering adds a few rigging considerations on top of your standard safety gear: anchor setup, marker buoys, and an easy boarding ladder. We cover those in how to set up your boat for lobstering.

New to all of this? Start with how lobstering works.

Frequently asked questions

What gear do you need to catch lobster in Florida?

At a minimum: a mask, snorkel and fins; gloves; a tickle stick and net (or a tail snare); a lobster gauge; a catch bag; and a dive flag, plus a Florida saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit.

Do you need a measuring device to catch lobster?

Yes. Florida law requires every harvester to carry a measuring device at all times and measure each lobster in the water. The carapace must be larger than 3 inches.

Is a tickle stick and net or a snare better for beginners?

A tickle stick and net is the most beginner-friendly combo and works well on sand and grass. A tail snare tends to work better on reef. Many divers carry both, and any tickle stick must have a blunt tip.

Always confirm current regulations on the FWC spiny lobster page before you dive. Last updated June 2026.