Boats from Florida and out of state always keep their calendar wide open for the Florida lobster mini season. While most boaters dive for lobster on the reefs, there is an easier way to get them without ever getting wet. Bullynetting is an effective way of catching lobster at night as they leave their hiding spots and scour the flats for food. By having a shallow drafting boat, adequate lighting, and a bully net, you can do just as well if not better than those diving for them.

The sport season also know as the 2-day mini season offers anglers the opportunity to get to the lobster before the commercial trappers do. You can expect to see over one hundred boats in any piling in at your favorite ramp to get to their location of choice on this day.

In this article we are going to focus on the family friendly and safe way to enjoy mini season without ever jumping in the water by method of bullynetting.

Boat:
Flats and bay boats that draft under a foot are very advantageous to bullynetting. When the tides are low you have the ability to get into areas that others can't. The shallow water flats near inlets are great areas to find lobster and if you boat draws too much water you are going to have to have venture elsewhere. If you have a big boat, you are better off diving for the lobster. A small boat simply offers more opportunity when it comes to bully netting lobster.

Lights:
When looking for lobster at night, lights are the most important tools to your hunt. We have seen all types of homemade lighting and off the shelf type underwater lights. However you decide to light up the area around your boat, we highly recommend you go with underwater lights. Lights above the water usually have too much glare making it harder to see the lobster.

You may choose to use 12V and bring out several batteries. Or as a long time bullynetter you may find that to not be enough light and prefer the use of a generator such as a Honda EU2000i Generator. With the Honda 2000 you can run three 500 watt bulbs safely allowing for 1500 watts of underwater light. We recommend one off the tip of your bow and one on each side of your hull to give you a very nice spread.

Nets:
A bullynet is basically a pole with a net that is angled at a 90 degree angle. This allows you to put the net on top of the lobster. Once the lobster kicks up into the net, you can scoop it up. Very easy and very effective.

Spots:
The best spots for bullynetting lobster are shallow water flats near inlets and bridges. Use Google Earth or your map to find inlets and creeks. Around those areas you will find the shallow water that potentially hold lobster at night as they make their way to eat.

Measuring Gauge:
All the same rules apply to bullynetters as divers. Make sure you measure your catch immediately and if it doesn't have a carapace of larger than 3 inches, than return it to the water immediately. Check the current regulations here: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/regulations/lobster/

Safety Precautions:
Make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date and in working order. If you are powering your lights with 12V or a generator it is important to have a plan if there was an accidently fire started.

Bully Netting Lobster Video