Lobster Fishing

[stubbs]

DFG won't cite you. I talked to a DFG last opener at the dock, while they didn't want to come out and say it...They told me they can't write you up for crabbing. You just have to return every bug you get early (you can't even measure them or bring them on board)

I usually hoop of a FND and I just toss the bugs in the cheap mesh dive bag promar makes. You just need to drop the bugs in tail first. Also the dive bag holds a full limit with not much problems.

I also occasionally use a bucket as well, just make sure the lids on tight.

[grantar2]

Thanks team, I think the 5 gallon bucket is likely to be the best choice both price and size wise. Seals are a very real issue for us.

Since my little 2.5 hp outboard doesnt have nuetral we will likely turn it off but I have a trolling motor that we will be using for percision operation. Propulsion will be outboard, trolling motor and oars. We will also be working the lee side of the breakwater.

I plan to have a high power navigation light up high. Gabe and I will be wearing reflective orange saftey vests as well. Nets will have 1 gallon clear crystal gyser bottles with glow sticks. I am also planning to trim the lines to 45'. We just had way to much trouble last year with the lines. We are working in only 20' to 30' of water.

Thanks team.

[IslandFox]

Yeah I've never heard that one either...wouldnt hold in court here in Ventura County at all....I've heard reverse for the closer...dont even be on the water with bugs in possesion after 12:01.
Drew I agree...for 30ft yeah motor doesnt make a difference...but on the inside where it's 10ft or less..I think from what we saw last season it does make a difference. There were nights when the yaks were the only one's getting anything at all. Everyone was using Macs so bait wasnt an issue.

[IslandFox]

Did somebody say rough water??? We like it as it usually means everyone else stays home.
Sorry Jeff!

And cant let Jeff be alone...here's Peter getting a nice shower...look how far the surge pushed him!

Good times though!

Had 3 consecutive weeks of big bugs. First that one.
Then this guy solo.

Then the one over in my Avatar.

[Carnivore]

LOL ya VICTORY AT SEA!!!! definitely a problem sometimes. Straight from the DFG they WILL BE citing people that hoop with in 12 hours of the opener. Now that doesn't mean that some officers will choose not to and to be honest you could beat the ticket if you want to but just to make sure that you per hoop at your own risk.

[peterotto]

I find that the 5 gallon bucket is too small. Once I stored bugs inside my kayak, and as the night progressed. I forgot how many I had down below. "Uhhhh, I think I have 5?????". What worked best for me are those $.99 or $1.50 gunny sacks you get at Sports Chalet. Ocasionally dunk them to keep it wet.

[Sinker]

In the past the way the DFG operated was if your net was in the water prior to midnight and you later retrieved it and kept a lobster from it you would get citied. - Yes they would keep an eye on you. Easiest thing is just don't do it, wait till midnight and go for it - no problems that way.

As for Ventura County - all depends on what Judge you get - TRUST ME.

I have got to figure something out for out here as there is no place I can use the hoop nets to go for lobster - it is all divers here - at least in my immediate area.

I miss hooping for lobster - well when I got them that is.

[Joey805]

All this talk about hooping for lobster has got me pumped!!!

CARNI!!!!!!!!!

Let's pull the hoops out and get'um ready! I can't stand this anymore!!!!

[IslandFox]

Originally Posted by Sinker

In the past the way the DFG operated was if your net was in the water prior to midnight and you later retrieved it and kept a lobster from it you would get citied. - Yes they would keep an eye on you. Easiest thing is just don't do it, wait till midnight and go for it - no problems that way.

As for Ventura County - all depends on what Judge you get - TRUST ME.

I still dont see how that would ever stick...with possesion being taken after the season started...it's not like they were sitting in a "trap" before the opener. And as for the Judges..dont know....but do know that the Prosecutor's for the DA could care less about DFG infractions and misdemeanor's(and that's where the deals are made long before stepping in front of the judge.) ALL the high profile cases we've seen have resulted in slaps on the wrist and fines in the range of a traffic violation. Anyone know what the fine was for that certain sportboat last year?? Going by the regs that should've been a fine well into the $50,000 range.
Kinda hard to get a bug in an unbaited hoopnet. What is done on the opener is that unbaited hoops are set WAY before midnight(I'd say even before sundown) If you wait til midnight you wouldnt have a spot. If you were to set the hoops that early with bait there wouldnt be anything left by midnight.
Not that I am gonna be anywhere near a crowded breakwater at that time!

[IslandFox]

Originally Posted by Carnivore

LOL ya VICTORY AT SEA!!!! definitely a problem sometimes. Straight from the DFG they WILL BE citing people that hoop with in 12 hours of the opener. Now that doesn't mean that some officers will choose not to and to be honest you could beat the ticket if you want to but just to make sure that you per hoop at your own risk.

There's a couple warden's that live in my neighborhood....I'll get confirmation.