Annual Bugfest proves to be a massive catch
The hunters were out in force at the stroke of midnight in earnest pursuit of their elusive prey and in the end the bugs didn’t stand a chance. The fifth annual BugFest By-The-Sea centered around Florida’s twoday lobster mini-season and a record 122 registered bug hunters hit the water to showcase their skills.
The rules of the BugFest tournament allowed spiny lobsters, or bugs as they’re called, to be caught off the beach or off a boat anywhere in Broward, MiamiDade or Palm Beach counties. BugFest gave away a total of $20,000 in cash, equipment, dive trips and other prizes.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Public Information Officer Steve d’Oliveira got together with local dive shops and put the event together five years ago. Besides the lobster hunt, BugFest had dive and marine workshops, dive trips to the SS CopenhagenandLadyLuck shipwrecks, photo and video contests and a chef competition. More than300 divers participated in the festival.
The Great Florida Bug Hunt big winners were members of the Maler family. In the Buddy Team $1,000 contest for the biggest 12 bugs caught , the winners were Jim, Bob and Jimmy Jr. Maler, whose total lobsterweight came in at nearly 43 lbs. Lobster hunters, front row from left, Jim and Bob Maler, and, back row from left, Jimmy Jr., Max and Mike Maler were champions at the fifth annual BugFest By-The-Sea, hosted by the town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. The weeklong series of diving events, scheduled during the two-day lobster mini-season, attracted more than 300 participants. BugFest gave away over $20,000 in cash, dive trips, equipment and other prizes.
Jim Maler of Pembroke Pines was out with his son Jimmy Jr., along with his two brothers Bob, Mike and his son, Max. The family tradition of hunting lobster goes back over 40 years and is passed down from generation to generation. That knowledge and skill paid off for the competitive, but close knit family.
“The key is getting to your spot first,” Maler said. “This is our first time in this tournament andwe had our 60 lobster limit with five people ... It’s very hardtoget your limit the next day. The difference is we scout areas and have a general idea and
it’s also luck with timing. We’ve been doing this our whole lives.”
Erich O’Conner broke the Maler stranglehold by taking first place with the biggest lobster caught off the Black Pearl boat. His catch earned him a Swiss Legend Dive Watch. The biggest bug caught off the beach was Tood Fleming’s 2.12 lb. catch. The Grand Prize Raffle Winner was Anthony Longo of Davie, who won the UNEXSO Dive Trip to the Grand Bahamas, courtesy of Reef Safe.