South Florida's visibility is much more clear than in the northern part of the state. And there are great wreck dives and rock ledges off the Central East Coast. More reef area off the Southern East Coast of Florida makes underwater photography a memorable addition to your dives.

Starting in the North East Coast of Florida from around Saint Augustine, diving the artificial reef systems and spear fishing are popular diver activities. The best time of year to venture up here for a dive is during the summer months when your visibility is around thirty to fifty feet. Expect a seven to twenty mile ride out to dive at depths of sixty to one-hundred feet. Try to spot a Hogfish while you are out taking in the site of the Triggerfish and Grouper.

Diving Central Florida's East Coast offers a variety of challenging dives from WWII freighters and Monster Hole, to spear fishing and bug snatching. You can bag a monster lobster here. Summer months, again, are the best time of year to dive with visibility fluctuating between twenty five to seventy five feet, the best vis being off shore approximately eight to twenty miles.

Areas for beach dives start becoming frequent as you progress south beginning with Vero Beach. As you venture out around two to four hundred feet the views begin happening of sponges, soft corals and tropical fish hanging by the rocky reefs in depths of ten to thirty feet.

The city of Fort Pierce leads the introduction to the diving off Florida's South East Coast. Three particular dives stand out in this section, a Civil War era paddle wheeler, the site of Urca de Lima Florida's first Underwater Archaeological Preserve, and then there is Inlet Park which has a large variety of rock formations and ledges, with monster lobsters and outstanding fish observation or photography.

Stuart, Florida dives are not for the beginning diver. Visibility is low, the massive rock reef system begins about three miles offshore at depths of sixty to sixty five feet, and the outer ledges are at depths of one-hundred and twenty to one-hundred and sixty feet. Fewer divers mean a large variety of fish and monster lobster, but take this with a local Dive Master.

Florida reefs really start to emerge as you take the plunge diving Florida's East Coast. A drift diving paradise from West Palm south to the Florida Keys offers reefs, wrecks, cleaning stations, multiple species of marine life, and the commencement of the warmer waters with good visibility.

Getting down toward the Keys, dives are more regulated, but beautiful and brilliant with lots of wrecks and marine life. Bring your camera on these dives, you might run into a Goliath Grouper, Moray Eel, or Caribbean Reef Shark. Some of the best photo opportunities diving Florida's East Coast can be found in South Florida. Always check with your local dive shop for current conditions, plan your dive and dive your plan.

Monster Lobsters are rarely found in pristine diving conditions with good visibility. So, where do you find these monster creatures?

Always start with the safety first school of thought and plan your dive out ahead of time. Then stick to your plan. Monster lobster have a plan of staying safe and so should you. Check your gear and the local dive shops for diving conditions.

Occasionally, you can dive across a monster lobster in a good visibility situation, but more often you will bag these monsters in very low visibility. Check areas with deep crevices and ledges to hide in. Usually about 10 to 30 feet, but this 10 to 30 feet is in low to no visibility with high surge and currents.

I have found monster lobsters under ledges with sleeping nurse sharks. The biggest one I came across was at 0 to 5 feet vision, with medium surge, in a depth of 25 feet, and an off shore swim of about 175 yards. The tools required are your hands, a bag, a tickler stick, and an extra set of hands.

When you come across a lobster hiding in a hole, if you can't get your hand in there to pull him out, you put the tickle stick under his tail and tickle him out. He will start moving forward and then once you get him, hang on. They tend to get angry and beat you with their tails. Be gentle but firm as to not break off the legs, these are the sweet meat.

Lobsters live in rocky areas and artificial reefs where there is an ample food supply and an easy route to deeper water for upcoming storms. They choose low visibility areas to avoid sight predators and prefer deep holes and deeper ledges.

The Spiny Lobster varies from the Maine Lobster and is quite different. They seem more rugged, quicker, and more intelligent. Maybe it is due to the water temperature that keeps them hopping. The biggest similarity is they both taste good.

Diving the ares where the monster Spiny Lobster live is not for the beginning diver. It generally involves a shore dive with limited to no visibility, light to heavy surge, and rocky, natural ledges and outcroppings.

If you don't mind the sharks at Sebastian Inlet, heavy surge and strong currents, the most famous site is Monster Hole. Many divers have bagged the big ones here. Wabasso Beach in Vero Beach will bring a few less sharks and a lot less current. If you take some time here you can bring home a monster.

Spiny monster lobsters live throughout the Florida coast and the Caribbean. There is a limited season to dive for these beauties. From April first to August fifth except for Sport Season which is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July each year. Sport Season is special because you get to bag more than the usual daily limit of six per person per day, but may vary from year to year.

Monster Lobster are an adventure to find. Enjoy the dive, stay with your buddy, and make a planned dive and stick to your plan. Bring home your own monster lobster.