11/23 LJ Hooping

[FISHIONADO]

Went out Friday night with the hoops, launched at 5:00pm into a slight onshore breeze and choppy water. I saw a father/son team rigging hoops on the beach but never saw them on the water after that. The bright moon made lights necessary only when measuring bugs that were close to legal. I went to a spot that gave me a legal last month and dropped a hoop there and then three more about 50yds apart. The first pull brought in 7 lobsters, 2 legals. I was stoked, this is going to be easy to get a limit. I kept moving the other hoops to the area that was producing, I wanted at least 4, dinner for my wife and kids. I pulled in probably 50 shorts for the next 2 hours and finally pulled in 2 more by 9:30pm. The wind had shifted to offshore so I had a long paddle into the wind. Dinner Saturday night was excellent, grilled on the bbq and served with butter and rice/beans/tortillas/salsa from Porkyland.

This one liked me until I ate him.


I picked up bait cages from Squidco because the Morays chewed up my nets last time. There is a small one in the cage below. Are those things good to eat?


My wife said that after I went to bed these guys started making lots of noise and when she opened the cooler in the dark they had blue light coming from their legs. Anyone ever see that? She doesn't drink...

[Matt]

NICE JOB DAVE!!!

[Outbacker]

Were are the best places to go hooping in San Diego? I hooped in the Oceanside Harbor years ago and did very well. These days, it's pretty had to get a legal there. How about equipment. Anybody using the Eclipse nets or the Trap-Ease pulley system?

Another thought - If the lobster are not active, what might I expect from some night fishing? Any suggestions?

[fishkiller89]

the blue light if this stuff that the commercial lobster fishermen put on their traps to keep divers out. if the divers get caught with that stuff on their gear and their lobster, there in big trouble. as for the eels . . . . idk ?

[dorf]

My wife said that after I went to bed these guys started making lots of noise and when she opened the cooler in the dark they had blue light coming from their legs. Anyone ever see that? She doesn't drink...
[/quote]

Lobsters have the ability to create bioluminescence in there back 2 sets of legs. In a couple of studies I have read the bioluminescence becomes more prevalent when the lobster is excited. Either sexually or aggressively. So they were either VERY Excited to see your wife or they were upset about being in an ice chest. Being as Lobsters are cold blooded the way to handle this state of arousal is similar to how humans treat it. You or I would take a cold shower Lobsters need a hot bath followed by a dip in butter. Nice hall enjoy.

[FISHIONADO]

Originally Posted by Outbacker

Were are the best places to go hooping in San Diego? I hooped in the Oceanside Harbor years ago and did very well. These days, it's pretty had to get a legal there. How about equipment. Anybody using the Eclipse nets or the Trap-Ease pulley system?

Another thought - If the lobster are not active, what might I expect from some night fishing? Any suggestions?

I wish I had the eclipse nets, I have the old style promars but they work fine. I wouldn't want the pulley system, seems like it would get in the way and I drop my nets 10' to 30' usually, very easy to pull up by hand. I read a recent report that said they are crawling deep at 100'+ this week, too deep for me on a kayak. I'm a newbie hooper but I know of O'side Harbor, La Jolla, MB Jetty, Shelter Island, and Point Loma. La Jolla can be tough because of the swell/chop and dark surf landing.

[herbo]

great report Dave!!!! nice little marine science item also herbo

[dorf]

Originally Posted by Outbacker

Were are the best places to go hooping in San Diego? I hooped in the Oceanside Harbor years ago and did very well. These days, it's pretty had to get a legal there. How about equipment. Anybody using the Eclipse nets or the Trap-Ease pulley system?

Another thought - If the lobster are not active, what might I expect from some night fishing? Any suggestions?

I have not tried the Eclipse nets. I am using bait suspenders this season. Not much to report on that as the bugs have not been moving mush in SD harbor. As for what to fish for I have had success with Bass, Sand Sharks and Bat Rays (Talk about a slay ride!).

Good luck

[FISHIONADO]

Originally Posted by Fishionado

My wife said that after I went to bed these guys started making lots of noise and when she opened the cooler in the dark they had blue light coming from their legs. Anyone ever see that? She doesn't drink...

Originally Posted by dorf

Lobsters have the ability to create bioluminescence in there back 2 sets of legs. In a couple of studies I have read the bioluminescence becomes more prevalent when the lobster is excited. Either sexually or aggressively. So they were either VERY Excited to see your wife or they were upset about being in an ice chest. Being as Lobsters are cold blooded the way to handle this state of arousal is similar to how humans treat it. You or I would take a cold shower Lobsters need a hot bath followed by a dip in butter. Nice hall enjoy.

Thanks for the info! I couldn't find anything with a quick google search. So she's not crazy.

[Dan]

4 in the bag and your family is stoked. nice Dave.

[BT]

[quote=Outbacker;18942] How about equipment. Anybody using the Eclipse nets or the Trap-Ease pulley system?
quote]

I have two eclipse that I bring out with three flat traps. Havent had much success with either this season.

As far as the Trap-ease, I sold mine after using it once. Wasnt for me.

BT

[GBF]

Very Very nice!!

GBF

[Yaker 1]

Nice score on the bugs. I also want to try the eclipse nets.

[lamb]

That was nice haul Dave!

I somehow just saw it.