Captain's Corner: Look out for lobsters

What's hot: American red snappers are still all over wrecks in deeper water. We recently dove a wreck in 155 feet and were met 50 feet from the surface by 10-pound snappers. On the bottom we saw bigger ones. We also spotted spiny lobsters, a few big ones (more than 8 pounds) and a few smaller ones.

The season: The lobster miniseason starts July 29 and ends the next day. Regular lobster season starts Aug. 6. Regulations and limitations differ in different areas of the state. To learn what they are, check out a lobster workshop/class or www.myfwc.com.

Up next: I will offer a free lobster workshop from 7:30 to 9 p.m. July 16 at Aquatic Obsessions in St. Petersburg. Space is limited, so reserve a spot by calling (727) 344-3483. The program will cover the Florida spiny, slipper and Spanish lobsters. It will include spotting tips, hunting tactics and tricks, storage and preparation, and the laws and regulations covering harvest of all three types of lobsters in Florida waters.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at bill@aodive.com or (727) 344-3483.