Lobster Fishing

[Joey805]

OK MJ, I've joined you with the lobster avatar idea now

[IslandFox]

"It's illegal to target them prior to the opener" and "since rock crabs may be taken by sports fisherman year-round it's ok to have your hoops in the water prior to the opening of lobster season"
Ed Roberts DFG

[IslandFox]

Haha! YEAH Joey!! Bugs will be crawling in our dreams for the next few weeks.

Oh and my references above about the fines etc is not condoning violations..but rather my frustration and amazement from what I've seen.

[grantar2]

I prefer to stay legal. Last year in the hours running up to the opener we had 2 DFG boats working just outside the harbour. They checked us for license, measuring guide, number of hoops on board and that we hadn't started. The harbor patrol was right behind them checking life preservers. From what I saw they got some revenue. On the inbound they were waiting by and on the launch ramp checking catches. Having a slip we were left alone.

Sorry to get everyone all hyped on Lobster, just hoping my fishing luck this year carries over to some bugs. Do hope we don't have big seas, don't need a repeat of the first day of the legend trip. First time I have felt sick on a boat in 35 years. Oh well at least I didn't chum all I missed was breakfast.

[Carnivore]

Originally Posted by IslandFox

"It's illegal to target them prior to the opener" and "since rock crabs may be taken by sports fisherman year-round it's ok to have your hoops in the water prior to the opening of lobster season"
Ed Roberts DFG

I understand but it is up to the DISCRETION of the officer whether you are "crabbing" or "hooping lobster" what I got from Lisa Toof the Executive Assistant to the DFG director L. Ryan Broddrick is they will be actively seeking and enforcing the no fishing rule prior to the opener. I have emailed her for their official position.

What I want to get across is that you COULD be cited no matter what and then the judge will decide if the officer is in the right for citing. You can take it further and get a jury trail but it is time off work and money for a lawyer ETC... I am not telling anyone they CAN'T fish it but the opening is there for the jerks to cite people as they see fit.

The sad thing is and why I hate the DFG so much is they can cite you for ANY DAMN THING they want. They don't have a control board like the police do so take your chances as ya see fit.

[Warmaster Shawn]

Ya, I have a awesome trick that lets me bag at least one lobster everytime and I dont have to get wet or drive more than 10 min

[peterotto]

Originally Posted by grantar2

Do hope we don't have big seas,

I do.

Big seas, murky water, and no wind! Rain is okay.

[stubbs]

Just out of curiosity does anyone know of or heard of someone getting a ticket for hooping hours before an opener, when they had no lobsters on board?

[Carnivore]

Originally Posted by stubbs

Just out of curiosity does anyone know of or heard of someone getting a ticket for hooping hours before an opener, when they had no lobsters on board?

Ya last year is Santa Barbra there were 3 boats ticketed and 2 arrests but the arrests were for outstanding warrants not for the hooping. Never followed up to see if they won lost or even fought the tickets.

[RickLindsey]

Hi guys! Lobster fishing sure sounds like fun! Pardon my stupid questions, but here goes...

1) How well does hoop-netting work from the pier? I am boatless, but Stearn's Wharf and Goleta Pier are both accessable! Are piers typically crowded when Lobster season opens?

2) What sort of bait does one use? I read that mackerel works good, but where does one get mackerel when hoop-netting from a pier?

3) What do you do with the lobster when you get home? I think i read that limit was 7 bugs, but I thought lobster was generally cooked "fresh" (live until just before it's thrown in the pot?), and my family certainly won't eat 7 lobsters in one day!

4) Where do you go to get a hoop net? I'll check Hook Line and Sinker next time I'm in (need to get some stinky sauce for my Big Hammers, and look for new penny Gulp), but if there's a better place to go for a hoop net then I'm all ears (or eyes, in this case)

5) Do you "clean" the lobster after you cook it, or before? Is there an illustration anywhere showing what parts need to be cut out? (this question is a little premature, but then again I also have a box of "Fish-Fri" that I haven't gotten to use yet since i haven't caught a dinner-worthy fish yet!)

thanks!

-Rick Lindsey