Tips and Tricks to So. Cal. Lobster Hunting?

[Lexy]

So it's about that time - Lobster season! Yeah! This will be my first year lobster hunting... so any tricks, suggestions, tips, etc. from all ya vets? Are there any good spots in Orange County?

(I posted this thread in So. Cal. instead of Underwater Hunting, since I'm sure lobster hunting varies from FL to CA, etc.)

 

[Robert Phillips]

I hear Lake Perris has good lobster diving. You should be there for opening night!

 

[drbill]

Lexy- As one who hasn't taken a bug for 30 years (but has no problem with those that do... as long as it is done legally), I have an answer. I let my buddies take them and then I eat them! I'm too busy with my camera.

Good luck in your first season.

 

[Otter]

So it's about that time - Lobster season! Yeah! This will be my first year lobster hunting... so any tricks, suggestions, tips, etc. from all ya vets? Are there any good spots in Orange County?

(I posted this thread in So. Cal. instead of Underwater Hunting, since I'm sure lobster hunting varies from FL to CA, etc.)

Use a pair of gloves you don't care about (they will be chewed up pretty good after a few dives from the spines. Aim behind them, they swim backwards. Don't grab the antenas, they just come out. Make sure the bug is at least close to being legal as there is a good possiblity that you will injure it during the catch until you get a hang of 'the grab'. Be prepared for resistance...they can be strong bug-gers. The really big ones have been known to grab you inflator hose and load your BC up with air to send you to the surface.

 

[PhotoTJ]

My buddies and I have had some success. I'll tell you how I do it, and you can adapt the techniques and configuration to your liking.

Equipment. Since I mostly night dive, I have a lot of lights. I use a C-8 for a primary, on a D ring mounted leash, an SL-4 for a backup, a MiniQ-40 on my mask strap for a head light, and a second MiniQ-40 for a backup backup.
I have my gauge on a retractor on the lower right side of my BC, and a spring lock bag on my right hip. I have a gauge mounted on my light, this works really well for me, and smooths things out considerably. I wear kevlar gloves.

Now, I dive mostly in Malibu. Big Rock, the pier, Corral, County line, Deer Creek. Finding the bugs come first. Water temp and habitat are the most important things. So, first find the habitat, then cover a lot of ground till you find a few bugs, in close proximity. Check the temp. This is where you'll most likely find lobsters in that area.

Start shallow. And I mean have your mask on, and be looking down, when you are still walking. I caught a 4 1/2 pounder in water I could stand in while putting on my fins.

Capture. I keep my light in my right hand, and the headlight on, sweeping from side to side. When I spot a probable keeper, I turn off the primary, and position myself for a left handed grab.
DON'T HESITATE!!!
(I'm right handed, for some reason, the lefty grab works for me. It's why my gear is configured the way it is.)
DON'T HESITATE!!!
Grab fast and firm.
DON'T HESITATE!!!

OK, you've got him in the left hand. Using your gauge on your light, pin him to your leg, and measure. Remember, it's between the horns to the back of the carapice. If the back of your gauge touches his tail, he's short, and on his way to freedom for another year. If the gauge hits the carapice, his new name is lunch. Drop the light, (it's on a leash, remember?), and grab the squeeze lock with your right. Open, insert lunch, and let the bag close on your hand. Let go of the bug, and pull your hand out. Grab your primary, turn it back on, and look sharp, where there is one, there are usually more.

(You got the message not to hesitate, right?)

The head light is important, even when you're wrestling with the bug, you always have light where you need it. When bagging, this is invaluable. And by turning off the big light, you reduce the chance of spooking of any other bugs that may be hanging around.

Repeat six times.

When you're done with the dive, re-measure on the beach. Ere on the side of caution, always, I've heard it's a steep ticket. Remember, the limit is 7 per day.

No snares or tickle sticks in California, the only tool you can use is a pair of gloves.

How well do these techinques work?

I have caught 7 over 4 pounds, 10 3 pounders, and 100 or so 1.5-2 pounders. My buddy caught one 7+. (See SoCalAJ's post, 'Bug Caught off Malibu', this forum.)

Good Hunting, see you on the beach!

TJ

PS Here is SoCalAJ's Bug from 2 seasons ago.

 

[JMD123]

I have only gone twice... first time I got 6 second time I got none... But what I did learn is that the second best advice I got is do not pick up the bug. PIN THE BUG DOWN FIRST. Than think to yourself. AM I STILL BREATHING. Than lock your grip on it measure and keep or release. THe best advice I got was as tastey as lobster is its not worth getting hurt. REMEBER THAT and have fun.

 

[BrianM]

I think TJ covered it pretty dang well but there is one spot where he didn't go into enough detail. That would be the transition from hand to bag!!! I lost quite a few legal bugs until I finally got a better plan on bagging them. Here is how I do it-

When you've measured him and it's time to bag, the first thing I do is get them facing the right direction. You want the lobster facing you with his tail pointing away from you. Since lobsters have a reverse gear like a rocket, they will bag themselves if you let him. Put your arm in the bag and then hold the lid closed as tight as you can, squeezing your arm tight. As soon as they sense you releasing your hold just a tiny bit, they will make a big huge kick with their tail, trying to break free, and if you have them pointing towards the bottom of the bag - BINGO!! He's now sitting in the bottom of the bag in a bad mood!!

If you have the bug pointing the wrong way, with the tail towards you...when he makes his big break for freedom the little @#$% will shoot past you so quick you won't even know what happened. I had one knock my mask off @ 40 feet and I just about had to shovel out my shorts!!!

 

[Lexy]

Lots of great information thus far. Thanks guys!

Got it - don't hesitate, make sure you have your DSG tags, get a big pair of leather gloves, good lights and don't hesitate. This is gonna be a blast!!!

Question - Would you recommend the "head lights" or do they just blind your buddy?

Now... let's talk about the "post catch". So, I've got a really tasty looking bug in my bag (legal of course), I'm headed to my car and ready to de-gear.

Dumb question alert...... What do I do with the live lobster? Don't laugh.... ok, at least don't laugh too hard It's in my game bag and rather ticked off. Is there a good way to transport 20 minutes home? Ok, now once I get the lobster home - it's 10PM and I'm not ready to make dinner OR maybe the lobster's a gift for a really nice scuba buddy (like Dr.Bill)? Should I put the lobster in the fridge in a big plastic bag? How long can the lobster stay fresh before cooking? How should I transport the live lobster to my wonderful buddies?

Onto cooking - what's your favorite fresh lobster recipe? I've done the whole boiling pot for live Maine lobster but have yet to cook california spiny lobster. I'm assuming lots of butter to dip in?

 

[BrianM]

Dumb question alert...... What do I do with the live lobster? Don't laugh.... ok, at least don't laugh too hard It's in my game bag and rather ticked off. Is there a good way to transport 20 minutes home? [/COLOR][/FONT]

Lexy,

Don't worry too much about those lobsters....they are pretty tough little critters. I live 250 miles from Santa Barbara and my bugs are always still alive the next day. If you are only driving 20 miles, maybe you could roll down the window and hold their faces out in the wind....they really get a kick out of that!! But don't let them drool all over the seatcovers

Ok, seriously now, I put some ice in the bottom of the cooler, then the top of my wetsuit, then the bugs. I clean them the next morning and freeze most of the tails, only keeping what I will eat that night in the fridge.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IS KIND OF DISGUSTING!!!

To clean them is kind of like watching fear factor and is not for the queezy. First you twist the tail off the body, which is kind of gross in itself, but it gets worse. Now you need to remove the tailpipe from the tail. Find the front half of the lobster(they are usually making a break for it while you are distracted with their tail) and break off about 2/3rds of one of the antennas. Now hold the pointy end of the antenna and poke the broken part up the hole in the back of the tail. Push it in all the way and then pull it back out. The spines on the antenna all point forward so it is easy to go in but coming out it will grab the tailpipe and pull it out of the tail. Now you have a clean tail ready to cook!!!

I cook mine on the barbeque. First I take some scissors and cut off the flippers off the tail. Then lay them on the grill, away from open flame, and let them cook about 10 minutes or until the meat sticking out the front is white instead of opaque. Then I take a pair of kitchen shears and cut up the belly of the tail and open the tail up. Turn off the BBQ and close the lid and let them finish cooking while the BBQ cools down. If you get some HUGE tails, this technique doesn't work as well since the meat gets tough before the whole tail cooks, so you are better off using the big ones for recipes like bisque or cooking in a steamer or something.

Good Luck!!!

 

[pasley]

Additional tips. PhotoTJ covered it well. But you do have to add an additional step for the second and subsequent bugs. Take bag, shake bag, and pinch off the bottom of the bag (scissors lock between legs or other method) to prevent the bugs already in the bag from making a break for it when you open the bag to add to it.

You also need to NOT leave the water with a bug until you know it is leagle size. Once on shore DFG could cite you for a short bug. People I know who have paid the fine for a short bug paid over $600 per bug in fines.

Bag limits is also a subject of debate. DFG says 7 lobsters in possession. In the 2005 regulations they have clarified what they titled “grey area” in section 1.17 it reads:

Bag and Possession Limit. No more than one daily bag limit of each kind of fish, amphibian, reptile, mollusk or crustacean named in these regulations may be taken or possessed by any one person unless otherwise authorized, regardless of whether they are fresh, frozen or otherwise preserved.

No a multi-day permit would be otherwise authorized. But does that mean that if you have 4 in the freezer you can only catch 3 more until you eat some or give them away? I don’t know. I do know that with one poacher they arrested they also charged exceeding the limits based upon what he had in the freezer at home but then they were charging other things too.

DFG will vigorously enforce the rules. So when in doubt, let it go. Swat the bug, don’t try to grab him. If you grab a bug, you will catch only water.