Lobster pots

C-Pelican · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject: Lobster pots

Hello everyone,

I have been at your site for awhile and it helped me find the C-Pelican which I became the proud owner of this summer.
Being my first boat I have taken it in steps from lakes and then the ocean. A successful trip to Catalina Island has hooked me into the ocean fun.
So, this week-end, as I celebrate Veteran's Day (Semper Fi) I am going to Oceanside Harbor to try my hand at fishing again, and for the first time, Lobstering. Seeing the post on shrimping, I wondered if anyone had advice on how to net/pot lobsters? I am going down to Riverside tomorrow to a tackle store and a West Marine and would love to be more knowledgable before I talk to the help down there.
I've researched the net and think I have basic knowledge, but advice from those who have "done it", is always better

Thanks!
Jeff

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:54 pm Post subject:

Jeff,

Here in So Cal, we have to use the hoop nets. Here's a good artical on hooping
Have fun!

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:45 pm Post subject:

They ain't real lobstahs if they ain't got claws! Wink

They be just big water bugs! Laughing

Charlie from DownEast Maine.

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:07 pm Post subject:

flagold · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:20 pm Post subject:

The "hoop net" was something different than I thought it would be. At night, with a light in the shallows down here you can net them similar to the shrimping thread. You take the net and bend it to make a bullet net (L) and when you see the lobster walking on the bottom you jam the net straight down on top -- he'll jump straight up and entangle in the net and you just pull the lobster up, measure, and put in the cooler.

I much prefer the lobsters with no claws. A whole lot more meat, and it is a very sweet tasting lobster.

C-Pelican · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:21 pm Post subject:

Great article Roger, thanks! Maybe I will have beginner's luck and show those Easterners how good these bugs are Wink

Shoot, as long as I don't flip my dinghy again it will be an improvement from last time!
Just as I thought though, the members of this site come thru everytime. C-Dory oughta be paying the creators of this site.

J

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject:

FlaGold,
Love those spinny lobster! No claws to watch when we catch them.
Here in our area, we can only use hoop nets or hands. No traps or any other apparatus to catch them with.
I like diving for them and if I had to catch one with claws by hand, I believe I would have to leave some "apparatus" on the bottom where it would be out of site!! Shocked

They have to be at least 3.25" long on the carapace. I, personally, would like to see a slot limit. The larger bugs produce more eggs and the smaller ones taste better. Leave the breeders alone (over 10 lbs). IMHO

flagold · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject:

I'd agree with that. Take the small ones and leave the big breeders alone. One in the pic is 7 lbs (not me in the photo).

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject:

Leave them alone if they have eggs

C-Pelican · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:

well, lobster hoops (turners sporting goods) are bought, 4, thanks for all the help and let's hope i get beginner's luck!

C-Hawk · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

Have fun and let us know how you do.

C-Pelican · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:12 pm Post subject: Post-trip report

For the nice info and help given to me re my fishing/lobster trip, here's a report of the event.
One, Oceanside Harbor is a very nice spot to rent a slip and the cheapest I found so far ($18.00) and there are tons of restaurants, coffee shops and bars in easy walking distance.
The fishing: Caught my first ocean "fish", it was a bat ray! One hell of a fighter and fun but did not look too tasty. Do they have those spines that are now infamous? We unhooked him carefully. Thats all I caught in two days. My partner caught more but I had fun.
Lobster: well, it was fun, but no success at all this time and lost one hoop net to ????
The only sad part is I got the flu on the last day and suffered with that until today.

Boat performd well and the cabin was a blessing in November here.
One problem though, a few times, inconsistent, turned the key and it (motor) would just stop cranking. Now that I am healthy again will check the battery and starter connections.

Thanks for all that read this and shared advice and will try again soon!

Jeff

C-Hawk · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:34 pm Post subject:

Jeff,
Thanks for the report.

Flyer · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject:

This is my first post.

I appreciate the reply. Its fun and interesting. I am learning.

One of the things that my wife and I have noticed about this forum, is that the boat is used to enjoy other activities besides just the boat.

Thanks.

Rick

oldgrowth · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:06 am Post subject: