UM... HOLY SHIT!

Two Months to Miniseason

Thanks to being distracted by the end of the world and without all of last year's activities, like creating the flag, logistics of the coozies, designing the t-shirts, and the relying on the monthly countdown, I will have to admit that the immanency of miniseason has escaped me. My fellow lobstermen, I kid you not, but there is a mere two months until the first bugs of the season will be slaughtered.

So request time off from work and start your training routines because this is really happening. Of course, now that I've realized how close we are the time will probably just pass that much more slowly. Oh well, at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

INDIAN KEY

If you manage to catch your limit with some time to kill, one thing you might want to check out is the Key's very own ghost town, known as Indian Key. At one point in time this island was the county seat for Monroe County, but now it is a State Park. Along with Key West, the island was the only part of the keys to remain populated during the Second Seminole War. That is, until the Seminole Indians staged a raid of the island and massacred 13 of the residents while forcing the other 50 or so people to flee the island.

There is not a whole lot to do on Indian Key, but it has an interesting history and there are still some remnants left from the people who lived there. There is a nice boat dock and a lookout tower provided by the park service, but I don't remember there being a whole lot else. I do remember it being really hot, with not much shade on the walking paths. Its a tiny island and only takes a short time to explore, so if you happen to be boating by with some time to kill be sure to check it out.

While you are there, try to guess what the "deep opening" is in the town square... because thanks to this placard we know that the Florida Park System has no idea. Hey, at least they're honest.

EARLY START TO MINISEASON IS NOT WORTH IT

Reminder: Miniseason is July 27 and 28

A Tampa man wound up being fined more than $13,000 for trying to get a jump on lobster mini-season in July 2010, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

After being declared guilty by Monroe County Judge Peary Fowler in a Feb. 11 hearing, Shabott was fined $12,150 and assessed court costs for a total cost of $13,095. The fines work out to $335 per illegally taken lobster. KeysNet

And I thought that my bill for miniseason was expensive last year. Try going a few days early like this jackalope. I mean seriously, is it that hard to find lobsters during miniseason that you have to go two days early? 

I suppose I could understand if this guy couldn't take off of work and was so pissed that he drove down the weekend before and created his own mini-miniseason, but this dumbass was there on Monday just wringing tails like it was going out of style.

The worst part is at $335 per tail, he still doesn't get to eat any of those tasty bugs. Something tells me he will be paying extra special attention to our countdown timer this year.

GEARING UP

Mobile Tide Charts

Marine Weather by Bluefin

Discover more Android apps

Of the tide chart apps I have tried this is by far the best. It uses Google Maps to help you focus in on your desired location and allows you to save favorites for easy reference.

This is a necessary download for any lobster pirate who doesn't rely on a hookah, and still actually cares when slack tide is. Check it out at http://www.bluefinengineering.com/. There is also an ad-free version for $1.99.

LAST CHANCE

Regular Season Ends March 31st

Just a heads up that this is your last chance to go snag some crustaceans before the regular lobster season ends. You need to put that license to good use before it expires... not that I ever do. A classic example of do as I say not as I do. Anyways, happy hunting!

PIRATE MUSIC

The Real McKenzies - Mainland

MONSTER LOBSTER

I Need A Bigger Net

A WHOPPING 15-pound crawfish (spiny lobster) was caught by fishermen and brought to The Tribune this week. Lllewelyn Fox proudly displays the lobster, which he said his son purchased on Potter's Cay dock. The Tribune

Now that is what I call a lobster! If I knew any better I might think that guy's holding the ghost lobster. I mean let's be honest, if I saw that bug hanging out under a coral-head I would probably shit myself. There's no doubt in my mind that beast would win a fight between me and him. I have a hard enough time holding onto a short while I'm trying to measure it, never mind a lobster bigger than me.