MIAMI -- Spiny lobster mini-season is off to a strong start as hundreds of boaters crammed Crandon Park Marina Wednesday to grab their share of lobsters.

The two-day spiny lobster season began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

Mini-season is an annual tradition that fills many hotels and brings residents out to hunt for free seafood for 48 hours -- first dibs before regular lobster season.

"It's a lot of water out there and a lot of lobster," said diver PJ Mills as he returned to shore.

Mills was one of many who came up emptyhanded.

"It's the luck of the draw," he told Local 10's Terrell Forney.

The two-day period allows recreational fishermen to collect spiny lobsters before commercial lobster traps are placed in the water on August 1.

"Every year, we wait the whole year just to come and lobster," Ana Quintanar told Local 10's Rob Schmitt.

Dozens of boaters say the dark, murky water and stormy weather made lobster searching efforts difficult Wednesday morning.

"It's the worst season in 10 years," said diver Robert Chapman.

Chapman and his crew had hoped to score 75 lobsters but said they only caught 29.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officers wil continue to be on patrol off South Florida's coast to make sure people abide by the fishing guidelines and remain safe while in the water.

"We've also cited people for having too many lobsters on board the vessel and some that have had lobsters with a carapace smaller than 3 inches," said officer Jorge Pino of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Divers and snorkelers are required to have a saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit in order to take part in the two-day sport season.

All lobsters must be measured before being removed from the water and they must have a carapace longer than 3 inches.

Fishermen are allowed to take up to 6 lobsters per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park and 12 lobsters per day elsewhere.

Night diving is not allowed in Monroe County and lobster harvesting is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary.

In Miami-Dade County, Florida Fish and Wildlife, as well as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, will have a heavy presence until mini-season ends.

"Our number one call this time of the year is missing divers," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lieut. Arnold Piedrahita with. "We urge everyone to always swim or dive with a buddy."

Regular lobster season is from August 6 - March 31.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue encourages boaters to enjoy a safe mini-season by observing the following safety tips:

you have been absent from diving for at least a year, ask your local retailer about taking a diving refresher program, and include training in first aid and CPR. Refresher programs are short and simple, but more importantly they reacquaint you with skills such as how to set up your equipment, properly use dive tables and/or dive computer, and increase your confidence in the water.

Make sure you have a dive flag that is easily visible to boaters; stay close to the flag, and be alert for boaters who may not see your "diver down" flag.

Always dive with a buddy - this primary rule of diving makes for a safer experience as well as easier lobster hunting.

Make sure your diving equipment has received recent service (such as visual inspections for tanks and regulator servicing) and is streamlined to make your dives easier, safer and with minimal impact to the surrounding marine environment.

Know where the nearest medical and chamber facilities are and how to get there. Consider obtaining dive insurance before the dive season begins to assist in the event of a dive-related emergency.

Plan your dives to be well within safe time and depth limits and stick to the plan.

File a boating "Float Plan" with family and friends. Like a "flight plan," let someone who is not accompanying you on the dive know where you are going and when to expect your return.