Lobster fishing my 19ft Angler w/ video

J

jcastner

New member
Hi all,

I don't often touch bases here, though I need to more often. Just thought someone might be interested in my hoop-net adventures here in SoCal. So far this season we were able to haul 80+ bugs on my very own C-Dory. It's a little cramped, but as we all know it's been a tank on the water during these rough winter channel crossings. I've attached a link to a short video on youtube for those interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OflHnEwlolc

Looking forward to the remainder of the season and the upcoming spring and summer spearfishing video adventures coming your way soon.

Cheers,
JCastner
Lil Bebe's Revenge :mrgreen:
 
I am so jealous, that looks like a blast and good eating too. Those lobster sure look feisty, if they had pinchers they’d be dangerous. Love pulling pots, never know what you’re going to get. Thanks for the video, something different for a change.
 
Great post and good video (OK perhaps the production quality wasn't TV ready but I loved watching it nonetheless). Man I wish we had lobster to harvest up here in the PNW. What's the per person limit on bugs down there? The closest thing we have to lobsters is spot prawns - I love those guys and so does my wife. Spot prawns is one of the few things she really loves going out on the boat for. If we had lobsters available, I could get her to go out for those too. I bought a pot puller at the boat show so this year I can't afford NOT to get out for shrimp this year!
 
You're allowed 7 lobster per day. This season, they started the use of a report card system to track how many and where.

Roger
 
C-Hawk":2f6cj3nh said:
You're allowed 7 lobster per day. This season, they started the use of a report card system to track how many and where.

Roger
Click to expand...

To clarify, 7 lobsters per license per day. Unless you file a multi-day permit with CA fish and game specifying vessel, harbor, and launch and return times. That way we were able to pull 28 over 2 days a couple of weeks ago. Also a max of 10 traps per vessel.

Good lookin out,
JCastner
 
JCastner,
Awesome - way awesome. I'm in North Carolina, just across from Cape Hatteras. The Northern Labrador bugs extend as far south as Cape Hatteras. I have never set pots and I have never pulled pots. I have been researching pots on-line the past couple of months. There are very very few bug pot pullers around here - certainly of no commercial consequence since it's mostly crab, scallop, shrimp, oysters and clams. However, I "am" going for some bugs. I just need to get the right pots/enclosures, and the rigging/davit setup and I'm hittin' em up.
I loved that video - you guys rock.
eNORMous
 
eNORMous,

Have you heard of Danielson Hoopnets? They are like Eclipse hoops but fully rigid.
Easier to handle, stack and store.

JCastner
 
JCastner,

Great post and video, thanks. It has restored my faith that there ARE actually still some decent bugs at the bottom even after the commercial guys vacuum with their traps!

I've been a very unsuccessful part-time hoopnetter for about 3+ years now. We have caught crabs, fish (yes) -- that's how fast we have that "first pull" technique down, and various other asundry sea creatures. So far my son and I have caught, let me see, wait, gotta count, got it, a total of 2 "barely legal" bugs in probably 8 night trips to Anacapa, breakwaters and Catalina. Location, location, location seems to be key once again. And I like your nets, I plan to replace my older "traditional" flat hoop nets someday.

Thanks for restoring the faith, maybe someday for us...!
 
Steve...Do you pull your traps as fast and as smooth as those guys ? I was watching that pretty closely and they keep that net moving really fast... also they are down at 180' and that is alot deeper than I have ever tired... I like their block and tackle rig... that sure would help... maybe we should try it.... those new nets sure look better too...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
JCastner,
Hey, sorry for late resonse - creating piles & piles of paper i.e. it's tax return time.
So, I looked awhile last night, but I did not find that style of Danielson Hoopnets. I looked quite a long time. I saw some, I believe they were called Promar hoop nets. They looked similar to the type you were using on the boat. I'm not sure if they're of the same quality though. If you have any links or addresses or telephone numbers send 'em my way. I also will be looking for a block/tackle davit rig.
If you can hook me up with where to get the Danielson Lobster Hoop nets, that would be great. I found Crab Hoop Nets and Fish Hoop Nets by Danielson, but no bug nets.
Thanks,
Norm
 
Yes, the Promar nets are the way to go, didn't have them where I shopped 3 yrs ago. A bit pricey, but I believe a way better design, worth it.

SEA3PO, yep, my son and I have the pull technique down good, fast and smooth, that's the ticket. I also like his block and tackle situation, would like to figure how I could mount that WITHOUT drilling any holes, hmmm, maybe attach to the boarding handle with a clamp-on device, I have to think about it.

I too like the idea of much deeper water endeavors, my muscles won't though, might look like popeye after a few trips :smilep .
 
Thanks for all your great feedback. I have posted this same vid on youtube and bloodydecks.com with amazing hits. One of the most frequently asked questions everywhere is about the vessel we are on. I have posted numerous links to this and the C-Dory site with great enthusiasm to great response. Maybe we'll see more more fellow brats on the water here in SoCal and beyond?

Always an advocate for the C-Dory,
JCastner
 
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