"Can this be done while snorkeling, or is this more of a scuba activity?"
It can be done either way. Usually diving is better, as you get more "bottom time", but I have been successful using just a snorkel and fins.

"Can a snare be rented? Or bought cheaply?"
I've never seen them for rent...or for sale, for that mater, but maybe it's because I was never lookikng. Most people make their own snares...and very cheap to do, too.

"Any tips on good spots to find them? Is February a bad/good time for this?"
Ooh, you're treading on thin ice, there! Haha! Most people will not share their "secret spots" and even go as far as directing you to where they know you will find none. The basic answer is "Underwater". Just remember to follow the rules when snaring lobster...don't take any females, make sure they are the right size, no hunting in park waters or BVI, don't take more than you need, etc. And time of the year doesn't matter. I find them in all months equally. (remember, our water temp doesn't vary much throughout the year...maybe 5 degrees?)

"I love the thought of grilling up some freshly-caught lobster tails at the campground one evening. Any tips would be appreciated."
Even if you don't go hunting, you can purchase live spiny's at some markets and some roadside stands...you just need to get there early! Haha! They go fast! They are typically about $10 per lb., but I have a guy on STT that I deal with who sells them for $7 per lb. If you don't find any for ssale, call my guy at 340-714-9052. He can probably meet you at the ferry dock in Red Hook on STT (which means you would have to add a whopping $6 to the cost of them for your r/t ferry ticket! Haha!).

Enjoy!

"not hunting in park waters or BVI"
Are you sure about the prohibition on hunting in the Park? I looked it up on the Park's website and it seemed to indicate that it was permissable. Limit was two per person, and they had to be kept whole until brought ashore.

OK, now I know better than to ask for a good spot.

How do I make a snare? Any tips on techniques for catching them?

Thanks for your patient answers.

The regs posted on this site seem to indicate that catching lobsters IS permitted in the park.

https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/more_info/fishing/usvifishingregulations.php

Another site I visited also seemd to indicate that it was permissible with a 2-lobster-per-person limit.

Maybe I've just been listening to others without ever checking into it myself! How about that! Learn something new every day!

Making a snare is simple....get a pice of 1/4 inch wooden dowling about 4 feet long at a hardware store, drill a 1/16" hole thru the end of it, thread some stiff (stiffness comparable to soldering wire...not sure of the guage) wire thru it and secure it. The loose end you need to make into a "noose" (don't use that specific knot, but you want the "hoop" to be able to be made larger or smaller by the "knot" having enough clearance to be able to slide up and down), make the loop about 10"-12" around, go underwater, find a lobster, put your "noose" around the tail or torso and give it a yank! Then surface and make sure it's a proper sized male, put it in your catch bag (mesh bags usually used to carry snorkel gear), swim ashore, head for home...and don't forget to stop at the store for some butter on the way! Enjoy!!

Hello,

You can find some tips on catching lobster at

http://www.spearfishing.org/bruces_tips/lobsters.htm

and if you go to

http://www.islandraider.com/loopers.htm

there is a diagram of how the snare works and looks.

--Islander

Good info, Islander!! I'll bookmark those sites!! I prefer my home-made snares, but, for 20 bucks, I might be inclined to get one!! Thanks!

Thanks, Islander. That's just what I was looking for. I hope February finds me on St. John eating freshly-caught lobster tails!

I've been looking for a long time. Seems those tricky guys always show themselves when I DONT have my snare. It doesnt seem to me that they show themselves much in water less than 30 feet.....I always see them when I'm diving......hmmm

Funny thing is, my theory is that there are no real spots.....people just have educated guesses and places they "might" be. I think there are a lot of folks who DONT have spots but try to bluff. It's not like the Lobsters just sit in one spot waiting to be caught.....they like to hang out under cliffs and thats for safety but then they still have to eat....but they are difinately mobile. It's a challenge and not an easy thing in my opinion. Most of the restaurants dont even buy local lobster because they cant supply enough and the local population probably wouldnt be able to keep up. There is even a pecking order among chefs waiting in line for local caught lobster. No one who relies on them for income is gonna saya peep on this one.

Not to mention the over fishing problem....

You don't see them much at depths less than 30 feet, huh. Well, I'd better dial down my expectations then, because I'll be snorkeling not diving. I'm gonna spring for the $20 snare that was recommended above, and bring along a heavy glove and mesh bag just in case. But I expect any lobsters eaten at my campsite will be bought not caught.

My wife and I are coming down nov 21 for a few days on St. John. We both would love to catch a few lobsters to grill. What are the chances two novice snorkelers will have any luck? We are both experienced swimmers.

Lineman83 - pretty much zero chance.

Pia

Lineman83, if you're inclined to head over to STT, Captain Rick of "Swashbucklin' Tours" has snaring lobsters as one of the activities he offers. (Just request it ahead of time so that he has snares on board.)

If you don't want to head to STT, an amateur snare is easy and inexpensive to make, but you have to be able to dive down to bottom. My sinus cavities riot when I try to do this, but my husband is able. And, of course, if you're very lucky and catch one, you have to bring something along to keep them in.

Please check with the park service to see what is and isn't allowed.
There are also size limits and no taking of females with eggs, at all.
No spearing, no gigging, at all.

While snorkeling or diving, please report any lion fish you see.