I hunt alot of lobsters on the Florida East coast. There are 3 keys to catching alot of bugs. 1. cover alot of area, 2. Work quickly on the bug so you can move along, 3. Don't hunt where others have already been.
To learn how to work quickly on the bug, you need to watch others who are hunting and copy their techniques. Each bug is different, so you can't just say "Always tickle from the right side", or loopers are the best, or clear plastic tickle sticks can't be seen. Each set of conditions will require a different technique.
As an example I pull about half of my bugs out by hand if there is a reasonable current. If current is 3 knots or more, that goes up to 100% are hand pulls. But you can get bit by eels or other things, so be careful. I also use an Oceanus green looper, but a tickle stick can be even better.
Since you are just starting out, I can offer you these beginning tips.
* Start with a Tickle stick and net instead of a looper. You'll 'Keep' more bugs when just starting out. New divers using a looper tend to back up bugs into the hole more often.
* Try to go out with divers & charters that cater to hunters so you can watch different hunters and see how they do it. MissConduct out of Pompano is a good small boat that will help you.
* Buy the VHS called Tail Tamer, available at most FL dive shops (or Amazon). You may even find it at the library. It's a great video that you can watch several times to see how he catches bugs.
When you do go hunting remember these 4 things.
1. Tickle slowly, let the bug focus on you and your bubbles, not the tickle stick
2. Work your own line and your own bug, don't follow someone else since they will catch the bug before you will. Also 2 sets of bubbles will just spook a bug, so don't help a buddy catch a bug.
3. Walk the bug out of the hole. When you get good, you should be able to walk them all over the reef without spooking them.
4. Never let the bug see the net. Put the net behind the bug's tail and slowly walk him into it.
Best of luck to you and above all, watch your air gauge. No bug is worth your life.