New to Lobstering

[SteveAD]

Great article Matt!

One thing I would add from experience:

An EP told me that only one side of the carapace needs to be legal. Until that day, being right-handed, I would hold the lobster with my left hand and measure it from its right eye socket using my right hand.

Now, if the right side measures a hair under, I try the left side. Sometimes it'll end up being a keeper.

There is always some leeway on the cops part, this sounds like one who wants to educate and not write tickets. You might however run into one who says it only needs to be short on one side for a ticket. (statute only specifies length and landmarks, not which side, and doesn't account for asymetry) when in doubt let it go.

 

[MSilvia]

If any of you are looking for a good read, or more info about lobsters and their habits, I highly recommend Trevor Corson's "The Secret Life of Lobsters".

I got a copy for Christmas, and after the research I did for the article I wrote, I was blown away by how little I really knew. It's got info about migratory habits, reproductive and molting behaviors, the impact of fisheries and management strategies, how they assert dominance, etc. It's a pretty entertaining book too.

 

[pwierz]

What happened with the ones you grabbed at but didn't catch? Too slow, too skittish, or something else? Either way, practice definately helps!

I think I was a little too skittish and the surge was pretty strong yesterday. As soon as I got ready to jam my hand into the hole, a surge would come in and push me a few feet away. The other times I would go in and grab something but then realize it wasn't fighting back and assumed I just grabbed a boulder. Live and learn (at least none of them caught me).

 

[yak]

If they're that close to being borderline, I'll usually let 'em go and hope I catch 'em again after the next molt.

I agree, but it depends on what's currently in the catch bag. Bringing home lobsters definitely keeps the wife happy.

 

[gmbaker]

agreed.

happy wife, happy life

 

[ScubaNorth]

BTW, if you happen across a Lobstersaurus, and do earnest battle with him, and end up in possesion of a noble prize, say a HUGE right claw, and nothing else... I don't think it would be prudent to claim that the 3 pound right claw in your bag belongs to the 7/8 pound lobster in your bag who strangely enough is missing a right claw! Even Massachusetts cops ain't tha stupid.

This is exactly the reason I carry super glue in my dive bag. Ok just kidding I have yet to pull off a claw. Of course I am yet to master or even get better at catching the darn things.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

don't know about mass. law on claws but in ny if you have the right number and type of claws for lobsters in pocession you are good to go..attached or not

It's the same deal in MA-just no extras as they'll count as shorts.

What I was trying to say was when a diver grabs the claw and the lobster releases it, often the lobster escapes resulting in many 1 clawed lobsters roaming about. Out of the four I caught yesterday 3 were culls-argh.

 

[rubberduck]

If any of you are looking for a good read, or more info about lobsters and their habits, I highly recommend Trevor Corson's "The Secret Life of Lobsters".

I got a copy for Christmas, and after the research I did for the article I wrote, I was blown away by how little I really knew. It's got info about migratory habits, reproductive and molting behaviors, the impact of fisheries and management strategies, how they assert dominance, etc. It's a pretty entertaining book too.

I agree, that was an excellent read. Tons of useful info.