Missing Lobsters????

[bobby-in-mass]

has anyone noticed the lack of lobsters on the south shore ??
2 weeks ago brant rock from a boat with 5 or 6 other dive boats we got 5 keepers

Last weekend we dove flag rock from a boat and got maybe 4 between 2 people..
we saw several smalls but not alot (like other years)

today: Maryann rocks-same thing..not many lobsters at all with just a few keepers
Todays dive was 29 to 39 ft..found the thermal and not many bugs

the lobstermen say the same thing "just a bad Year"
any Ideas

 

[mello-yellow]

Yesterday at Cathedral Rocks I only caught two. OTOH, two weeks ago Chebby got eight at Lane's Cove.

 

[scubastew]

is it molting time? perhaps they are under rocks growing new shells?

alternatively if it's a larger more wide spread issue, i'd hypothosize that the resurgence of the striped bass population in the last 7 years is impacting the number of mature bugs. Also i thought that I read the lobster shell fungus that was in NJ is has been migrating north over the last few years.

hey i am no scientist anyone else have some thoughts?

 

[crlavoie]

I think I know what happened. They were all out at Outer Brewster... when we had no catch bags.

Honestly, I was out with Jim and Pat 2 weeks ago and there were loads of them. I haven't done much on Cape Ann since June so I can't comment on that area but my guess is that they too were partying out at the Brewsters.

 

[LobstaMan]

I think I know what happened. They were all out at Outer Brewster... when we had no catch bags.

Honestly, I was out with Jim and Pat 2 weeks ago and there were loads of them. I haven't done much on Cape Ann since June so I can't comment on that area but my guess is that they too were partying out at the Brewsters.

That's when I usually see the most lobsters, too...when I have no catch bag.

LobstaMan