Overnight (outside) from Miami to Key West

[RichandHelen]

We are considering an overnight, outside, from Miami to Key West about the first week in July. We draw 5 1/2" and are nearly 70' tall. We motor at 6.5 knots and do not have line-cutting spurs.

We are aware of the flow of the Gulfstream. Any words of wisdom? Of particular interest would be crab pots if we remain in Hawk Channel.

Thanks, all!

[michaeld]

As for draft, you are fine staying in Hawks Channel. Florida Lobster season is over until August, so pots should not be an issue. You'll know before dark whether you'll have to dodge them along the way.

We did the trip in January to the Dry Tortuga's. Pots were everywhere then.

[ItDepends]

If you do go outside, sail with "one foot on the beach." If you are sailing in less than 100 feet of water (<50 even better) you can usually catch a south setting counter current of up to 2 knots.

Navigating Hawk Channel isn't difficult, but my preference is NOT to do it at night, traps or not.

Stone crab season in Florida is (usually) November to May. Those are actually the numerous traps, NOT lobster traps. Commercial lobster traps are illegal in Florida. So you know what you can do with the advice from anybody who thinks they are lobster traps...

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by ItDepends

Commercial lobster traps are illegal in Florida. So you know what you can do with the advice from anybody who thinks they are lobster traps...

Can you back that statement up with a link to a law? You might be talking about mini season which only lasts 2 days. These 2 days are the time for non commercial people to take their fill. Once regular season starts the commercial guys are able to toss in the traps.

https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/...spiny-lobster/

Also… stone crab is generally caught in shallow waters, less the 30 feet from what I have seen but I’m no expert.

Also… stone crab season is over this year.

Also… regular lobster season does not start until August 6. When in season The traps are all over the place and extend beyond hawks channel into waters around 130 ft deep.



Op, You should not have too many traps to worry about. Hawks channel is runs around 30 ft deep and is well marked though the marks are spread out. Don’t run into Florida and you’ll be fine. Hit me up if you’re in Miami.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by ItDepends

... Stone crab season in Florida is (usually) November to May. Those are actually the numerous traps, NOT lobster traps. Commercial lobster traps are illegal in Florida. So you know what you can do with the advice from anybody who thinks they are lobster traps...

The stone crab season in Florida now occurs between October 15th, and May 1st.
Traps can be placed 10 days before the start of the season, but cannot be tended until the season starts. Traps can only be worked during the day and harvesters have five days after the season ends to remove their traps.
Prior to 2020, it started October 1st, and went through May 15th.
Commercial fishermen can set 100 traps at a time, and Recreational fishermen can set up to five baited traps.

[Russ]

Don't know the rules but my part of the ICW (Melbourne)is LOADED with traps that just went in a few weeks ago.

[captstu]

Hawk channel is well marked and has minimal current compared to the Gulf Stream. Beautiful trip on a full moon night!!

[bkrizmanic]

Originally Posted by captstu

Hawk channel is well marked and has minimal current compared to the Gulf Stream. Beautiful trip on a full moon night!!

We've done overnights as well, since of our best sailing.