With the calendar rapidly approaching the last week in July, it's easy to get down about summer coming to an end, but it also means we are closing in on the most wonderful time of the year.No, I'm not talking about Christmas.It's spiny lobster mini season here in the Sunshine State.TWO REGULAR JOES WILL COMPETE WITH PROS FOR $3.25M PURSE AT INAUGURAL 'THE CHAMPIONS' BASS FISHING TOURNAMENTThe Florida Keys is known for drawing in large species like swordfish, but landing one of this size requires specialized deep-sea techniques.
(iStock)If you're unfamiliar with mini season, it's basically a time where commercial fishers aren't allowed to catch any lobsters so that anyone who does so recreationally can have first dibs.It happens the last Wednesday and Thursday of July every year, and every hotel along the Florida Keys braces in anticipation for the mass pilgrimage of both natives and visitors who will make the trek down to participate.For those who wish to partake in the wonders of mini season, there are some rules you must follow.You are limited to 12 lobsters per person per day, unless you are diving in Monroe County (home of the Florida Keys).If you're staying there, your limit is six per person per day.Also, keep an eye out for protected areas and National and State Parks, as those are obviously no-take zones.In addition to the limit, you must also make sure the carapace (the part from its head to the beginning of the tail) exceeds 3 inches in length.
You must also have a lobster permit, which you can easily obtain by going to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website.After all that is taken care of, the fun really begins.A family displays their haul of spiny lobsters from mini season in the Florida Keys (2012).(Austin Perry)CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMI'm not even a big fan of eating lobster at a restaurant, but I have happily devoured pounds of Florida spiny lobster that my friends and family have caught while stay...