{"id":12527,"date":"2016-08-02T11:46:07","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T18:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/?p=12527"},"modified":"2016-08-02T12:25:53","modified_gmt":"2016-08-02T19:25:53","slug":"panulirus-argus-tournament-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/panulirus-argus-tournament-2\/","title":{"rendered":"PANULIRUS ARGUS TOURNAMENT"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/a>\u201cSpiny Mike\u201d Maler & Jahn Kirchoff\n

Every July the coastal areas of Florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this year\u2019s bounty in the official mini lobster season.\u00a0 This took place starting at 12:01 am on Wednesday July 27,\u00a0and ending at 12:00 midnight on Thursday, July 28.<\/p>\n

The following day in SOMI, many hunters gather for a party hosted\u00a0at Sunset Tavern.<\/p>\n

The popular annual event hosted by \u201cSpiny Mike\u201d Maler and partner\u00a0Jahn Kirchoff continues to entice divers to enter the tournament and bring their catch to Sunset Tavern where it is measured and weighed.\u00a0The winning crustaceans are placed on display.\u00a0 The 2016 Spiny Lobster King was Bob Maler with a 8.85 lb catch (photo top left).<\/p>\n

The spiny lobster sport season is regulated by the Florida Fish and\u00a0Wildlife Commission; a limit is set for 6 lobsters per person per day for the Biscayne National Park.\u00a0 The minimum size for the carapace is larger than 3\u201d, measured in the water.\u00a0 For the tournament, they\u2019re not\u00a0looking at minimums.<\/p>\n

The weigh-in at the SOMI eatery was complete with live music, raffles,\u00a0a silent auction, hermit crab races, a special lobster and drink menu, photo contest, trophies and prize money for the heftiest \u201cbugs\u201d in both the adult and junior categories.\u00a0 A portion of the event\u2019s proceeds go to the Stiltsville Optimists Club. The Club, a charity run by the Miami\u00a0Springs Power Boating Club, provides opportunities for children and\u00a0civic organizations to visit and enjoy Biscayne Bay\u2019s Stiltsville.<\/p>\n

Sponsors of the tourney provided plenty of swag.\u00a0 Among the major sponsors year were: Ray Tepper\u2019s Turnkey Construction, Budweiser,\u00a0Coca-Cola, Austin Dive Shop, Pesky Critters, and Jermco Food.\u00a0Many other local businesses such as Whip \u2018n Dip and Kendall Bait &\u00a0Tackle also offered raffle prizes.<\/p>\n\n\t\t