lobster season

[Willy]

Guys,
Search the threads of this forum for lobstering info.
Most of the old salts on here go buggin', some with great success.
There have been jewels of knowledge dropped in various threads over the years.
Do your homework, it's worth it.

Some basics:
Yes go at dark that's when the bugs feed.
Drop your nets on flat ground next to structure, they leave the structure to scavenge for food. Structure could be anything; rocks, jetties, piers, etc.
Bait needs to be anything stinky and or oily. It needs to attract them. Just think about what they eat, fallen, dead fish. Mackerel, Bonito, Salmon heads, etc.
A lot of guys buy a bunch of cheap cans of cat food, and punch holes in them to add a chum slick in the water. They will eat just about anything.

Be careful!!! It's dangerous around structure at night. Don't assume people will see you. Get the proper reflective equipment for you, your gear and your boat.

When you buy nets, upgrade the buoys immediately to the larger bullet shaped ones, Squidco sells them for under $5 each. It's worth the investment, you will lose less of your gear in the current, kelp, dark etc.

There are pulley systems available, some even snap right onto your Ram Ball.
Buoy lighting is important, they will vanish in the dark, even if you think you know where they are. There are a million ways to light a buoy, that's where you'll need to do some research. Check the BloodyDecks board as well, they have some creative lighting/bugging techniques that can translate to yak buggin.

Make sure you're legal. The DFG loves lobster season, and you WILL be checked at some point.

Did I mention BE CAREFUL?!!!!

That should get you started.

Willy

[ryan111]

thanks willy so do you launch at the shores and then where are some good spots

[ryan111]

and how long do you leave it in the water for??

[Useful Idiot]

The search button is your friend. Love it. Embrace it.

[flydigital]

Originally Posted by ryan111

and how long do you leave it in the water for??

With a string of 5 nets you can just keep pulling them up in order, reset them, move on to the next, and it ends up about 15-30 minutes between each pull on each net. When they are crawling good you don't want your bait sitting out too long or they will eat it all up and move on. If its slow you may want to soak them longer. Give it a try... you will meet others on the water and learn lots in short order. I would suggest shallower water to start out, maybe near harbor jettys....

Oh, make sure you wrap up your rope to proper length for the depth you are targeting. Don't let a ton of rope hang out on the surface or you will tangle yourself and potentially damage other boat props causing a big safety problem. Try only a couple nets at most to start out, smaller investment (you will lose nets eventually) and easier to manage and learn.

[Sherm]

Originally Posted by Willy

Guys,
Search the threads of this forum for lobstering info.
Most of the old salts on here go buggin', some with great success.
There have been jewels of knowledge dropped in various threads over the years.
Do your homework, it's worth it.

Some basics:
Yes go at dark that's when the bugs feed.
Drop your nets on flat ground next to structure, they leave the structure to scavenge for food. Structure could be anything; rocks, jetties, piers, etc.
Bait needs to be anything stinky and or oily. It needs to attract them. Just think about what they eat, fallen, dead fish. Mackerel, Bonito, Salmon heads, etc.
A lot of guys buy a bunch of cheap cans of cat food, and punch holes in them to add a chum slick in the water. They will eat just about anything.

Be careful!!! It's dangerous around structure at night. Don't assume people will see you. Get the proper reflective equipment for you, your gear and your boat.

When you buy nets, upgrade the buoys immediately to the larger bullet shaped ones, Squidco sells them for under $5 each. It's worth the investment, you will lose less of your gear in the current, kelp, dark etc.

There are pulley systems available, some even snap right onto your Ram Ball.
Buoy lighting is important, they will vanish in the dark, even if you think you know where they are. There are a million ways to light a buoy, that's where you'll need to do some research. Check the BloodyDecks board as well, they have some creative lighting/bugging techniques that can translate to yak buggin.

Make sure you're legal. The DFG loves lobster season, and you WILL be checked at some point.

Did I mention BE CAREFUL?!!!!

That should get you started.

Willy

All good advice. Also.....try looking around areas in the day time first. Many times I have found good buggin spots when out fishing. Don't go where everyone else goes. Too many boats at night can get dangerous.

Last season was a good one. I put in 15 trips on the water and got 92 bugs (bug cards are good for something). Not a bad average. Biggest going 5.5 lbs.

Oh ya......pay attention to the weather reports!!!!!! Being out there when the conditions change can SUCK big time.

Good luck

[WahooUSMA]

http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/h...-hoop-netting/

[Jzo]

Originally Posted by WahooUSMA

http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/h...-hoop-netting/

Wow, Great link! Thanks!

[jorluivil]

Since I went from boater to boater & kayaker to kayaker(sold my boat) it will be my first year hooping from a yak. I had an awesome time hooping from my boat: Catalina & all around Long Beach.

For you newbies, don't take hooping from a yak lightly. It was dangerous hooping from a boat and I can guarantee you it's going to be just as or mroe dangerous hooping from a yak. You tend to look down a lot and this causes you to put your guard down.

I recall hooping in Catalina one night, we had a few nets set just outside some kelp in about 15-20 feet of water. When we brought one of the nets up we had two legals and began the measuring process, little did we know that the current was pushing us into the kelp/rocks.....I managed to back away before we hit but boy was it close.

My partner and I have already discussed some of the details for the upcoming season. First and foremost we covered safety: kayak lighting, reflecting tape & multiple headlamps. We're also looking into building some sort of floating mini barge to transport the nets, something that can be easily towed and easily accessed.

As far as bait goes we've tried it all. Rockfish, mackerel, catfood, rancid chicken, salmon heads, fish guts & squid.......won't give away any secrets away but 2 of the 7 are the ticket. Don't forget to dress warm and by all means be prepared to deal with fog.

[Jzo]

Originally Posted by Willy

Be careful!!! It's dangerous around structure at night. Don't assume people will see you. Get the proper reflective equipment for you, your gear and your boat.Willy

Originally Posted by jorluivil

My partner and I have already discussed some of the details for the upcoming season. First and foremost we covered safety: kayak lighting, reflecting tape & multiple headlamps.

Great advice on safety, thx.

[miguelitro]

One more piece of advice is to carry 2 lobster gauges. If you were to lose your only one it would then be illegal to posses lobster even if legal and measured. you MUST have a gauge in possesion. Oh yeah and be safe, lots of drunks out on ill prepared boats.
Mike