Lobster pots

C

C-Pelican

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Joined
May 22, 2006
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C Dory Year
1992
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Vessel Name
C Pelican
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
 
They ain't real lobstahs if they ain't got claws! :wink They be just big water bugs! :lol:

Charlie from DownEast Maine.
 
Captains Choice":k3txqx5r said:
They ain't real lobstahs if they ain't got claws! :wink They be just big water bugs! :lol:

Charlie from DownEast Maine.
Click to expand...

That's why we call it "buggin" down here :lol: Them's some mighty tasty bug, too.
 
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.

lobsternap.jpg
 
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
 
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!! :shock:
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
 
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).
 
Leave them alone if they have eggs
riggy_lobster_berries.jpg
 
well, lobster hoops (turners sporting goods) are bought, 4, thanks for all the help and let's hope i get beginner's luck!
 
Have fun and let us know how you do.
 
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
 
Jeff,
Thanks for the report.
 
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
 
Flyer":2h8by62d said:
This is my first post.
Click to expand...
Don't make it your last. Stay involved and you will enjoy it even more.
 
Jeff,

Thanks for the 'honest' report. I can personally relate to your frustration with hoop netting. Did it for 2 years without catching ANYTHING edible. Finally caught some decent crabs about a month ago, so it has renewed my faith. Almost everyone else I've talked to about hoop netting has had great success! I believe the key is the old adage -- location, location, location -- but it's hard to find THE locations from anyone else until you stumble upon them yourself.

We're now into scuba diving, hoping to increase my chances at those elusive bugs...
 
I have got a few crabs with hoop nets, but never a lobster. The best way is with the hands--and at night. Go get em Jeff!
 
Hello Everyone,
I havent gone buggin this season yet ....but will be going here shortly......having a little one these days makes time limited. @any rate I bought all my hoop nets @ the Fred Hall fish and game convention that comes out here in L.B. every april....Sweet deals also ebay do a search for prommar hoop nets!! You have to know the spots to go and also the tides!! It is like a light switch ...when the tides move so does the bugs they come out to feed...Chopped makeral and bonita are candy for the buggs...I like to go shallow..10ft to 25ft max!!...Good Luck!!
 
Thanks for the note Steve and yes, for better or worse, I am honest. But it was a blast still and I will continue.

Bob! Hello! Yes, the 'ol C-Pelican is being used and yes, I will have to review my diving skills and begin anew and go to the lobsters it seems. But catch or not, it is fun to be on the water.

Jeff
 
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