mermaid8773:
Caught 3 bugs....snare-style.
Gonna try the mop trick....heard it is the best....should be fun and funny to watch.
Big Hugs~
Alix
Sounds like a first bugging really good day.
My all time favorite metod is team diving. One diver tickles the bug to back it directly into/under the catcher diver's hand. The catcher zens into "being a rock" until he moves his hand no more than 1/4" to close it on the bug. Getting the catcher to wait long enough and not jump early is sometimes a problem. I've had to literally beat one catcher over the head with a spear shaft before his light bulb came on. The "trick" is to learn enough about the bugs and their movements relative to bottom structure to determine where the bug is going to want to go once you get it out of it's hole, and then properly place the catcher before ever approaching the bug. The tickler also needs to keep far enough away from the hole to keep from spooking the bug.
Using this method we gauge almost every "may be legal" bug we see. (in excess of 95%) The other plus to this system is that any undersize bugs can be released into their original hole, intact, with minimal stress, and all body parts!
The other thing to remember is that the bug will ALWAYS be in the best hole for him. If working without a dependable hunting buddy find a shallow hole, or hole with a closeable back door, nearby. Then tickle him into that one, then snatch him out. Time spent learning how to tickle without spooking the critter is time well spent no how you try and catch them.
BTW For about 3 years while a starving student my grocery store was the reef, and if we didn't catch lunch we didn't eat. For 6 months of the year we ate bugs, the rest of the year we ate whatever else was slow. I've tried EVERY method of catching bugs there is, the gloved hand and tickle stick is the most reliable! My favorite tickle stick is a sling shaft so I can stay back a bit while tickling.
Nooses, nets and mops will cost you some bugs.
FT
