Buying Lobster Spots in Florida: App vs GPS Files vs Charters

Finding productive lobster bottom is the hardest part of the whole sport, so it's no surprise people look to buy spots rather than burn trips hunting for them. The thing is, "buying lobster spots" can mean three pretty different things, and they aren't equal in what you get or what you pay. Here's an honest breakdown so you don't waste money on a list of numbers that leaves out half of what you actually need.

Option 1: A static GPS coordinate file

The old standby is a list of latitude/longitude numbers, often sold by area. It's simple and you get coordinates immediately, which is the appeal.

The catch is everything a bare coordinate doesn't include:

• No navigation. A number is just a dot. You still have to get yourself there, and a single rock or coral head is easy to motor right past.
• No legality. A coordinate file won't tell you that the spot, or the water around it, sits inside a no-take zone. That's how people get tickets.
• It goes stale. Nearshore structure shifts, spots fill in with sand, and new ones open up. A file bought once is frozen the day you got it.
• No context. You get a dot, not how deep it is, what the bottom is like, or whether it's a beginner spot or an advanced one.
• Often priced per area. Want more than one stretch of coast? That's frequently another purchase.

Option 2: A guided charter

A charter is the no-learning-curve option: a captain takes you out and puts you on lobster. For a one-time trip or a total beginner, that has real value.

But it's the most expensive option per outing, it usually runs into the hundreds of dollars, and when the day is over you don't keep anything. You haven't learned the water or banked a single spot for next time. For someone who wants to lobster on their own, again and again, a charter doesn't build toward independence.

Option 3: A lobster-spot app

This is the option built for people who want to dive on their own and keep getting better. With Lobsterly you get:

• 3,000+ curated spots from Haulover Inlet to Key West, each rated by difficulty with a description of the structure, not just a coordinate.
• Real-time offline navigation to every spot, with live distance, bearing, and ETA, so you actually land on the small stuff.
• No-take zones built right in, so you know what's legal before you drop.
• Free extras included: the productive Lobster Zones, 4,500+ Florida artificial reefs, and the ability to save your own spots.
• Lifetime updates as spots are added, refined, or removed.
• A one-time purchase, no subscription, and 100+ free spots to try before you buy anything.

Why an app beats a coordinate file

Put side by side, the difference comes down to a few things a static file simply can't do:

• It navigates. You get turn-by-turn distance and bearing offline, not just a number to type into something else.
• It keeps you legal. No-take zones are drawn on the map, so you don't accidentally harvest in a sanctuary.
• It stays current. Updates mean your spots don't rot the day after you buy them.
• It gives context. Difficulty ratings and descriptions help you pick the right spot for your skill and the conditions.
• It's better value. One purchase covers thousands of spots across every region, instead of paying per area for a frozen list.
• It's risk-free to try. The free tier lets you judge the quality before paying a cent.

What it costs

Lobsterly is a one-time purchase, with no subscription:

• All Waypoints, $34.99: every premium spot from Haulover Inlet to Key West.
• Single region, $19.99: Miami & Biscayne, Upper Keys, Middle Keys, or Lower Keys.
• Region to All upgrade, $14.99: if you start with one area and want the rest.

Set that against coordinate files often sold per area, or charters at hundreds of dollars a trip that you can't reuse, and the math is straightforward.

Try it before you buy

You don't have to take our word for it. The free tier includes 100+ real lobster spots, every no-take zone, the Lobster Zones, and 4,500+ artificial reefs, all with full offline navigation. Start with our free Florida lobster spots and coordinates, and if they put you on bugs, the full 3,000+ are one tap away.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy lobster spots in Florida?

Yes. You can buy a static GPS coordinate file, pay for a guided charter, or get a spot-finding app like Lobsterly with thousands of spots, navigation, and updates. An app generally gives the most spots per dollar, plus the things a coordinate file leaves out.

How much do lobster spots cost?

Coordinate files are often sold per area, and charters run into the hundreds per trip with nothing kept afterward. Lobsterly is a one-time $19.99 per region or $34.99 for all 3,000+ spots, no subscription, with 100+ free to try first.

Is it worth buying lobster spots?

If it saves you from burning trips on dead bottom, yes. Just buy spots that come with navigation, no-take zone boundaries, and updates, not a static list that goes stale, and try a free tier first to confirm the quality.

Regulations and spots change. Always confirm current no-take zones and rules on the FWC spiny lobster page before you dive. Last updated June 2026.