Marking your lobster for a dive boat cooler?

[O-Town Diver]

OK, I did quite a bit of searching so I hope this hasn't been asked a zillion times.

I'm new to lobstering and went on my first lobster dive last weekend. There were only 2 of us on the dive boat actually looking to catch lobster and one other guy spearfishing. They had a cooler on the boat to put the fish and lobster in and when I "double checked" with the first mate about putting my lobster in the cooler he said, "Yea just put it in the cooler, and put a tag on it so you know its yours. Luckily for me, I was the only one who got a lobster that day but my question is (I forgot to ask the first mate), what do people usually use to mark their lobsters?

I'm heading out on another dive trip this coming weekend and this will be a boat specifically for lobstering and spearfishing so I want to be a little more prepared.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[deepstops]

That's easy, the bigger ones are mine, the smaller ones are the other diver's bugs.

In all seriousness, I've never seen anyone marking their bugs on half-day charters. I usually leave mine in the bag take them in on the second dive.

I have heard the practice is common on the liveaboards where folks are hunting over the course of a few days (for both fish and bugs).

 

[DebbyDiver]

I've seen a specific notch on the tail.

I bring my own cooler or a bucket and a spare catch bag and put them in that while I make the second dive.

Good one, Brian...that way if you catch a few really big ones on the second dive, you can fish out the little ones and put them back.

 

[deepstops]

Good one, Brian...that way if you catch a few really big ones on the second dive, you can fish out the little ones and put them back.

Bingo (and I'm not talking 'bout the dog)

 

[mike_s]

I'm new to lobstering and went on my first lobster dive last weekend. There were only 2 of us on the dive boat actually looking to catch lobster and one other guy spearfishing. They had a cooler on the boat to put the fish and lobster in and when I "double checked" with the first mate about putting my lobster in the cooler he said, "Yea just put it in the cooler, and put a tag on it so you know its yours. Luckily for me, I was the only one who got a lobster that day but my question is (I forgot to ask the first mate), what do people usually use to mark their lobsters?

.


use orange survey tape. tie it into the cracks in the tail.


you can write your name on it with a permanent marker also (on the tape, or the lobster I guess).

 

[matts1w]

Use small colored zip ties or trash bag ties around the antenna to mark your bugs.

 

[Capt Gary]

The easiest way to identify your lobster is to bring along another mesh bag to put your lobster in, then place them in the cooler. If you want you can also put you name on it if there's going to be a lot of people on the boat. I have a lime green mesh bag. This has worked very well on our dive charters.

Good Diving,

 

[ONESPEED]

The easiest way to identify your lobster is to bring along another mesh bag to put your lobster in, then place them in the cooler. If you want you can also put you name on it if there's going to be a lot of people on the boat. I have a lime green mesh bag. This has worked very well on our dive charters.

Good Diving,

That's what I've always done, foolproof.

 

[Sideband]

You could name them and teach them to come when called. Who would argue with that? ;-)
Seriously though, I think a colored zip tie around the tail would work really well.

 

[WesFowler]

Use small colored zip ties or trash bag ties around the antenna to mark your bugs.

That's what I do.

BTW (to the OP) was the trip in the Keys and if so who took you out on that trip? It sounds like it might fit the bill for my Labor Day plans.