First time Lobster Hunter! Questions

[JackTheRipper]

I am going down to FL for the mini-season. I have never been lobstering before, but I have been reading crazily about it. I will be alone on a charter that is going specifically looking for these bugs. My question is, if I have never been before, should I just use my hands and a tickle stick? or should I buy a snare? any little tips anyone can give me?

thanks a lot

John

 

[paulwall]

I am going down to FL for the mini-season. I have never been lobstering before, but I have been reading crazily about it. I will be alone on a charter that is going specifically looking for these bugs. My question is, if I have never been before, should I just use my hands and a tickle stick? or should I buy a snare? any little tips anyone can give me?

thanks a lot

John

I've gotten the bug, myself. I never could get the hang of the snare, although I think it is better for the reef. The most effective way I've found is to use a tickle stick and a net. If you just use your hands (with gloves, btw), you stand a good chance of doing nothing but breaking off their antennae (and making them skittish). If you do get a hand on them, and can't get anything but antennae, it will break off, unless you grab the antenna right next to the head. I've caught them by hand, but it's like a 1 in 10 chance of actually getting it, vs 9 in 10 with the net (or 0 in 10 with the snare).

 

[JackTheRipper]

man, so you definitely think the net is better?

so if i come upon a lobster in a little hole...i stick the tickle stick past him and hit him lightly on the back, then he'll walk right out into the net?

 

[paulwall]

man, so you definitely think the net is better?

so if i come upon a lobster in a little hole...i stick the tickle stick past him and hit him lightly on the back, then he'll walk right out into the net?

LOL, yes, the net (when used properly) generally is nearly foolproof.

Place the net vertically next to the hole, but out of the range of the lobster's antenna. Use a position so that your arm is fully extended and slightly bent at the elbo and wrist (kind of a semi-circle). The lobster will be focused on you. Stick the tickle stick in when and nudge the guy out of the hole. He should turn to face you, as he sees you as a giant unknown thing. Then, tap him once on the back, and he (should) scoot backwards into the net. Lay the net face down quickly and grab the lobster's body through the net. Untangle the guy and measure him, then stick him in your grab bag. This way, if he's too small, he should have all of his legs and antennae intact when you put him back.

Give the snare a try after you get proficient with the net and stick.

 

[Johnoly]

I am going down to FL for the mini-season.

Welcome to Florida, you'll have a great time !! What port/town are you going out of ??

 

[JackTheRipper]

key largo!!!

 

[jfoster33702]

Prepare for the addiction.

 

[Johnoly]

so you definitely think the net is better?

For beginners the net is definetely better. It takes some practice for the looper, not necessarily on how to use it, but how to move the bug around.

The tickle stick is easier to manuver and postion so you can tickle the bug just behind the last rear leg. Once out of the hole, it's easier to get them with the net. The looper is definetely quicker, but takes more skill. Just my opinion, but if you start off with the looper, you will drive more bugs backwards into the hole and then waste 10 minutes out of your 30 minute bottom time working him out, which is crazy.

My regular dive buddy who has thousands of bugs to his credit, still to this day uses a tickle stick and consistently kicks my butt in bugs. It's all in the patiences and technique.You soon learn this - "Catching bugs is easy, Finding them is hard"

 

[Bob3]

Net AND snare, you can use the snare as a tickle stick if you need to.
Moving slower is better, fast grabs usually result in a handful of bug parts.
Remember, if ya do it right, the critters will walk right into yer bag.

 

[seansrs36]

Man you guys in FLA have it easy..here in California we have to only use our hands for lobster.