Lobster mini-season kicked off at the stroke of midnight Tuesday as hundreds of boaters hit the water to catch the marine crustaceans. 

As of Wednesday evening, wildlife officials said the start of the mini-season was "phenomenal."

The U.S. Coast Guard and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said not a single distress call was made, and no divers were reported missing. There were also no reports of boating accidents.

"We didn't see anybody in any trouble, nobody broken down or anything. It looked good," said boater Chris Gians.

Haze from dust in the air aside, Gians and his family said the conditions worked in their favor. They caught a bounty.

"The water's a little murky. The visibility was bad, but the seas were calm, and it was nice out there," he said.

The Hutchisson family took down 24 spiny lobsters and plans to head back out Thursday. 

"You hit them in spots where there would be several, and it would be a frenzy," said Mike Hutchisson. 

Federal and state officers joined the hunt to make sure spiny lobster catchers not only follow the law, but stay safe. First, they are told to put dive flags up and keep a distance from others. 

Police use a tool to measure lobsters because the carapace, or outer shell, must be 3 inches or larger. 

"Sometimes, the quantity makes up the quality. They all taste the same," said lobster catcher Jason Chockley. 

In the mini-season, each person can catch 12 lobsters per day, and the number is half that in protected waters. It ends at midnight Thursday.