Lobster lovers, rejoice!The Saturday before the first...

Lobster lovers, rejoice!

The Saturday before the first Wednesday in October--that’s this weekend, folks--has finally arrived.

The day marks the start of lobster season, which means that from now until the first Wednesday after the 15th of March, divers are free to pluck the tasty crustaceans from local waters.

The method used by the state Department of Fish and Game to define lobster season is about as clear as the underwater visibility in Redondo Beach’s King Harbor. But a Redondo Beach diving shop has developed a fun way to help local lobster enthusiasts keep track of the dates.

For 16 years, Dive N’ Surf has celebrated the opening of lobster season by sponsoring a competition to see who can bring back the biggest lobster in the first nine hours of the season.

Bug hunters, as lobster divers like to be called, can search for lobsters anywhere they want, as long as they can make it back to the diving shop by 9 a.m. Saturday. Last year, the contest drew 500 participants, Dive N’ Surf Vice President Scott Jones said.

What: The 16th annual Lobster Mobster Contest

When: Midnight Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday

Where: Sign up at Dive N’ Surf, 504 Broadway, Redondo Beach, before midnight tonight.

Background: Under state law, only lobsters at least 3 1/4 inches in length from their eyes to the end of their bodies may be taken from local waters. The law also prohibits divers from using nets or spears to capture their prey.

Dive N’ Surf will hand out trophies to the divers who catch the three biggest lobsters. The shop will serve coffee and doughnuts all night and give away T-shirts to anyone who brings back a live lobster.

Cost: Free

Information: (310) 372-8423