Laguna Beach Monster Lobster

[spearthebigones]

http://youtu.be/6XHInAL3VvI

Long ass report of the dive.

Ha well I got a call from my friend Alex (ryddragyn) asking me if I wanted to go on a late night bug hunt somewhere in soon to be closed Laguna Beach area. So far I’ve said yes to every possible Laguna Beach lobster dive this season and today was not going to be an exception. So of course my answer was, "Let's get some!"

In the mean time I got a call from Ethan Kills asking about joining him on a Laguna bug dive earlier that night. Kinda sucks, but I had to turn him down since I already promised Alex I’d dive with him. If I had a dive watch to monitor the time I’d be able to double up on the dives, but the only dive watch I owned died long ago. So I gave Ethan a bunch of possibly bug spots, but the only spot he wanted to know was the one spot I wasn’t giving up for anything. That’s cause Alex and me were diving it :D

Time flies forward and before I know it I’m standing on the beach, geared up, and ready to go. Looking out I see the waves calmly tumble waist high down to the cold hard sand. The moon above is doing its best disappearing act; filling the canopy of clouds above with darkness. There was a calm and peaceful air about this night. Not a soul in sight save for Alex and myself. It felt like we had reserved the perfect dive all for ourselves.

By now I was getting a little excited to jump in the water. I hadn’t dove this spot for over half a year. I had a bit of luck last year so I was pretty curious to see if the bugs were still around. Of course looking over to Alex I could tell he was even more excited than me. This was his first lobster dive of the season and his first dive since his neck injury. He was more than ready to say the least.

So we jump in and right away I notice the vis is pretty muddy, but the further out we go the clearer it gets. Soon we have 15+ vis and it’s hunting time. Scouring my light over rocks and seaweed I spend at least 15 minutes searching barren expanses of reef only to find a couple bugs. And when I say a couple of bugs I mean a couple of very very small bugs. I didn’t even want to touch them they were that small. With a little discouragement in my gut I swing over to Alex to see if he’s done any better. No luck there. He says he’s only saw two bugs and both were short as well.

Hmmmm.. I said, “I don’t think the bugs are crawling much tonight. I’ve barely seen anything” And thinking to myself, weird I thought there were more bugs on this reef, maybe I took them all last season?

Moving on I gazed below as a couple of large sting rays, well over 50lbs, fly above the reef. I marveled at them for a while and then my vision narrowed. I noticed a crack deep below, where the batray had just floated past. Once he disappeared I dove straight to the bottom and scanned around in a semi circle, but no dice. Nothing was home. So I headed back up for air and without warning my head bumps hard into something that felt thick and meaty. Oh shit! … I shake my head. That has to be that damned ray. I kicked some more and halfway to the surface I felt lucky as hell. Thoughts of searing pain were washing away. Thank God I didn’t get stung! I reached for the surface and gulped in a fresh breath of air. Alex, who was floating next to me, laughed and joked, “Looked like that batray was humping you underwater!” I just laughed back and said let’s keep diving.

More scouring of the area and then I see it! The most promising looking trench yet is just ahead of me, partially hidden under the swaying kelp. I could tell this was a bug hotel with just one glance. Not wanting to scare any potential bugs in the area, I shine my light off to the side and work on breathing up. Half a dozen breaths later and I’m ready, the kelp sways back, and down I go. Reaching the bottom I swing my light over to see a little one crawl a couple feet off to my left. Swinging the light further up I see a real nice bug clinging vertically to the rock wall. Quick as can be I swoop in for the grab. Got her! Holding her in my hands I thought, “That’s a pretty thick tail on this one.” Unfortunately after measuring her up I had to stamp it with the phrase, “practically legal”. The fact that her shell had just molted made it really hard to gauge if she was 100% legal. The end of its carapace was all flimsily and the water chop wasn’t helping the measuring process much. So instead of taking the risk I just chucked her back, knowing there’d always be more bugs where that came from.

Soon I’m passing over a field of eel grass. Sometimes I find bugs pretending to hide underneath the grass, just clinging there with out any plans of moving. So as I passed overhead, I kept my eyes peeled for that one bug hiding under the swaying weeds. I scanned a bunch of barren grassy reef before deciding to switch strategies and swim out to the deeper reefs. I thought instead of scanning from the surface I’d try diving to the bottom and work my way around. Who knows, maybe there’d be a bug clinging to the wall or scurrying around somewhere. A couple dives down and that strategy was the winning ticket! I grabbed my first legal of the night. It was just walking along the bottom of a ravine. Scooped him up as soon as I saw him and shoved him in my bag.

I yelled over to Alex, “Hey Alex I grabbed one! Check it out!” But with no response. It looked like he was out of earshot. I just shrugged my shoulders. It’s not like I found a big bug so I’ll just keep diving. Another ten minutes of diving and I didn’t see much. Then Alex swings by and I let him know I found one. He’s still at zero count on his bug total. With such low numbers between the two of us we’re quick to end our chat and get back to the hunt.

I decide it’s about time I swam over to the end of the reef to see what’s over there. Just as I reach the edge of the reef I spot a clearly legal lobster sitting in a small plate sized indentation near the top. Looks like there’s a hole just behind him, which warned me he could scoot back to safety anytime he wanted to. So diving down into position, floating right above the bug, I watch his dangling antennae and think, “Wait for it… wait for it..... now!” Hands go out and I’ve pinned the bug to the ground. Pulled him up, measured his back, and shoved him in my bag. That’s 2 down!

Awesome maybe I should go tell Alex where I got this one. There might be more in the area that he could nab. I start to swim over, but his light is pretty far away and halfway through my journey I realize that it’s going to be pretty dang hard finding that same spot again with Alex being as far away as he is. With a fleeting glance I look up at Alex one last time and then decide to head off in a different direction so I don’t scare any of the bugs in his area.

[spearthebigones]

Now I’ve dove this area before so I knew of one hole in specific that held the biggest bug I’ve ever grabbed off this reef. It wasn’t huge, but it was well over legal. So I thought why not find that same hole? Maybe there was another big bug that took up residence there.

Swimming over I could tell this was the spot. Memories of chasing down a 4lb bug, crawls back into my mind as I dive down and plop my head in to the crack. Two beady eyes stare back at me and I know those are not the eyes I wanted to see. It’s just a run of the mill undersized lobster. Ah well. Even though this hole is a bust, I still have a good feeling about this area. I was seeing more bugs, albeit undersized bugs on the way over. So I continue my search.

Just 20ft away I strike orange gold! Diving down I found a desk sized gully with half a dozen lobster mulling around like this was their little play room. At first glance the four in the middle all yell out to me, “We’re legal!” But it’s the big one in the middle that grabs all of my attention. I did notice the rest and I’d love to catch all four of them, but I know this is a one shot deal. Once I go in they’re all going to scatter. So I zero in on the big one standing at the center and plunge in for the grab. The groups switches to an uncertain and nervous crawl as my hands reach out for one of their buddies. The big one spins around, unsure of where to go and that’s when I nabbed him! Got him! It was a seriously nice bug; had to be over 2 ½ pounds. I’ve only grabbed one, maybe two bugs this size this season. So these suckers really get me excited! Holding him up I was stoked. Didn’t matter what I found the rest of the night this sucker made it all worthwhile. Plopped him in my bag and I was ready for the next one.

Now I was really digging this spot. Seeing so many legals at once filled me with optimism and I knew I had to look for those other three legals I had just scared. Diving back down to the same hole I glanced around and could feel the bleak rocky expanse sink into my optimism. The room was empty. But then, way off in the corner, I could see a couple pairs of antennae sticking out from inside a hole. A ha! That’s where they were hiding! I swam on over, but when I went in for a peak all I could see were undersized bugs. Those larger bugs had wisely chosen to get as far back as possible after that initial scare. Ah well, there’s still plenty of reef to search and I’m sure to find some more bugs on the crawl.

Within minutes it’s like day ja vu. I find another table sized gully and the same amount of legal bugs scurrying about out like this was their favorite spot to chill out. I eyed the closest one, snatched him up, and scored my third legal of the night!

This spot was awesome! Not only did I have 3 bugs in my bag, but I’d already seen my full limit of legal lobsters. You can bet I’ll be checking this reef out again before the season’s over with.

But forget the future, I bet there’s more reef up ahead that’s just as productive right now. Keeping my eyes peeled and my anticipation under control, I swam on ahead looking for the next signs of bugs.

A few more yards and I noted that the vis was failing. I was having a harder time making out the reef from the surface so I opted to just dive down to the bottom and scope out the surroundings from underwater. As I hit the bottom of the reef with my knees I glanced up. A flat rock wall stretched upwards to my right. Hmmm.... nothing of interest there. Scanning ahead there was a cave with somethi-OH FREAKIN SHIT!!! My eyes nearly popped out of my mask! That’s the freaking biggest bug I’ve ever seen!!!! Just up ahead sitting in a cave barely wide enough for me to squeeze into, there sat a freaking monster of a bug. Only five feet in and he hasn’t even spotted me! This was too good to be true! I didn’t even bother to calm my nerves I just headed straight for that monster.

Diving right into the cave both, hands forward, I couldn’t wait to grab that bug. Without moving an inch he stands his ground and within seconds I’m right on top of him. Both hands greedily cover the bug and the beast wakes from its slumber. Tail flaps, legs crawl, pincers poke this thing is alive! I try to get a good grip on him, but then I feel my lobster bag snag on part of the cave and the beginning of panic strikes me. The lights are flashing in my mind “Danger Danger”! Fear of getting stuck pops up in my mind in a split second. Like an instantaneous reaction I feel for my air supply. It’s there and with plenty to air to spare. Confidence and reassurance flood my thoughts and all my focus returns to the bug. Now I knew, one way or another, I was getting out of this cave and I sure as hell wasn’t leaving without this bug! Grabbing on tight against its carapace I tugged him off the rocks and finally I have him in my hands.

Wiggling my way backwards my lobster bag scraps against the caves and soon unsnags itself. With nothing holding me back I bolt strait to the surface as excited as ever. Breached the surface and screamed out a bunch of hell yahs, f***, oh shit, awesome, and so much more. I can tell, just by the feel, that this lobster is well above any lobster I’ve ever grabbed in my lifetime. I don’t even want to look down to see it with my own eyes for fear of losing the beast. And the thought of throwing him in my bag is the last thing I would ever want to do. This guy is just too freakin huge!

Yelling over to Alex, who’s nowhere in sight, “Haha! Alex you’ve got to check this out! It’s freaking huge!” Swimming over and still excitedly yelling a bunch of hell yahs I see Alex’s light appear off in the distance. He’s definitely heard my calls and is on his way. The bug is clinging to me on one hand and with my other hand I’ve pinned him down. No way is he escaping now. But man, grabbing hold of the tail I’m amazed at how I can’t even grasp half of its circumference. This guy is huge!

Alex finally arrives and takes one look at the bug. I couldn't hear what he said, but he’s acting like it’s no big surprise. Ha, I guess I catch so many large bugs it’s no big deal to other people by now, but to me this guy is something to get excited over.

I sure as hell wasn’t expecting to catch a bug this size on this night dive. I mean I had heard of large bugs being pulled from this area in the past, but the same could be said about the entire city of Laguna Beach back in the day. I was just content to get wet tonight. I didn’t even care if I got skunked. But that’s what I love about the ocean, you never know what you’re going to find. You could get skunked one day, get limits the next, or run across a huge find once in a blue moon. This was my blue moon.

After a quick rundown of how we both did for the night I find out Alex still has zero bugs in his bag. So I pointed to where I caught most of my bugs and told Alex I’d float here and wait for him to finish up the dive. I was done for the night.

So after Alex left I continued silently floated there for a while with my prized bug in hand. Slowly I maneuvered him around so he was hugging my chest. His tail stopped flapping, but his legs continued to pinch right through my suit, scraping at my skin. I haven’t checked it yet, but I wouldn’t doubt if that guy cut up my suit with all the digging and poking he was doing. And to make matters worse his legs kept trying to grab at my belt, which I pushed down out of his reach. I really feared he’d pull off my weight belt. It’s actually happened to me in the past, no joke. One good grab by the lobster and I’d be scrambling to keep a hold of everything, my weight belt, lobster bag, light, as well as that big old bug on my chest. But luckily he never got a hold of my belt and that was one crisis averted.

Minutes pass and Alex returns with his first legal of the season. I said, “That’s great Alex, hey you want to go look for more?” With the skunk off him Alex says he’s ready to go and he can tell I’m ready as well.

With Alex’s help I decide to swim through the shoreline bug in hand. Alex takes my light so it won’t bang against my bug in the surf and now I’m set. I start to swim in crossing my fingers that everything would be alright. Reaching the shallow sand I turn to stand up in the water. Alex yells, “Wave!” I glance up and quickly scuttle backwards. In moments I’m past the wave and past the turbulence, standing on dry land, bug in hand.

I could finally breath a sigh of relief. I had him. I had the monster of my dreams.


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1928/ds59.jpg
Pic of the bug in my 100 Quart cooler

Got to say thanks to Alex. I wasn't planning on diving that night and little in the way of plans of diving that spot in the future. So thanks Alex for calling me up and bringing me to an awesome spot with an awesome lobster!

[Ascendv6]

Nice!

[SpearMax]

Wow!

[Mr Paul]

Word Daniel, word :up:

[longshot reed]

that sir is one big bug
congrats

[Ethan kills]

you are a dick. Nobody dive with daniel. He pretends like he is your friend then when you caome all the way down from big bear desperate for lobs he won't take you to get any!!! I called him the night he got this one anf he laughed at me and said he hoped that I drowned.

[elcaptainq]

nice

[JTH]

You shoulda put that one on your head, nice bug.

[SpearMax]

Daniel, that would make an awesome lobster mount. Think about doing that if it is not too late. Tony

[1000ft2TheBeach]

Damn Nice Bug!

[BOLTSFAN]

You shoulda put that one on your head, nice bug.

:lol:

[Captn Ron]

Nice one! Congratulations

[Lightfoot]

Awesome bug Daniel! Congrats! What was the weight, or did I miss it?

[the bodj]

nice man! how much did it weigh?

[MonkeyChunks1]

Damn you should write for penthouse, that was an epic read, If it was about a chick i would have been yanking it by now,IT WAS THAT GOOD OF A STORY...
I think you have Austin beat. Weigth that bad boy and name it after ME...

Great Job.

[Ascendv6]

Damn you should write for penthouse,


Great Job.

There is only one problem with that though....

[Bluewater1]

congrats D. great job!

[Rainney]

That is a 1 on your lobster report card.

[sagen]

Nice one.....is that the 10lbr that got donated to Chris

[lucky catch]

On you head! On your head! On your head!!! Let the chanting begin. Time for a new avatar.

[John Hughes]

that's a donkey Daniel, congrats!!

[phishphood]

Nice bug!

[unkabonka]

Congrats, great report I read the whole thing! Amazing size on that bug! Excellent work!

[itsalwayssunny]

Wow!!!

[tailsurfer]

congrats.

[GottabKevin]

Great story, congrats

[Desert Diver]

Great read and an awesome bug! :thumps:

Rich

[JDoe]

Nice!

[hutloc]

great big/write up!

[Spearbodj]

that thing's a dinosaur! Nice work on that bug!

[Myrran]

Fantastic Bug! Great write up. I love Lobster season! I botched a grab on one almost that big last year. Still waiting to get another chance on a monster like that. Great work!

[ralphthehalibut]

tailsurfer's gonna be pissed you took his bug:rolleyes::lol:

Actually, that's a fake. There isn't much kelp in laguna so obviously there are no big lobster or sheepshead there.:rolleyes:

Nice big bug Daniel. Very nice. Amazing how many bugs over 10 pounds keep coming out of laguna.

[Bob P]

Wow!

[So-Cal Spearo]

Nice one Daniel. How much did it weigh?

[ezcompany]

what a monster....great job!!! i can feel all the laguna peeps seething in their chairs at the moment after reading this :D

[Pugz]

Wow nice bug Daniel! I guess all those lucky 7's on your card are still bringing good luck!

[Scottywotty]

You shoulda put that one on your head, nice bug.

+3? it belongs on your head, its just not right to not see it on your head.
I mean that is your trade mark right?

Good job Daniel, congrats!

Scotty

[Chainsaw]

It is far and few that you actually get a shot at a trophy bug like that, congrats Daniel, you deserve it after all the time you've put in.

[spearthebigones]

Thanks for all the congrats guys :) I'm just glad they pushed back the Laguna Beach closure to January. If it was closed now I'd never have a chance at this bug.

you are a dick. Nobody dive with daniel. He pretends like he is your friend then when you caome all the way down from big bear desperate for lobs he won't take you to get any!!! I called him the night he got this one anf he laughed at me and said he hoped that I drowned.

:lol: You know how to make me laugh Ethan! So how'd you do that night? Get any bugs in San Diego?

You shoulda put that one on your head, nice bug.

I was too afraid I'd drop this one to try it this time.

Daniel, that would make an awesome lobster mount. Think about doing that if it is not too late. Tony

I was thinking the same thing. It's not to late for me to make it into a mount, but I'm going to wait and see what happens.

tailsurfer's gonna be pissed you took his bug:rolleyes::lol:

Actually, that's a fake. There isn't much kelp in laguna so obviously there are no big lobster or sheepshead there.:rolleyes:

Nice big bug Daniel. Very nice. Amazing how many bugs over 10 pounds keep coming out of laguna.

Haha tailsurfer's bug is still safe and sound:D I know where he keeps it, although I've never seen it.

+3? it belongs on your head, its just not right to not see it on your head.
I mean that is your trade mark right?

Good job Daniel, congrats!

Scotty

haha it is my trade mark isn't it? I guess I dropped the ball on this one. The next big bug I find I have plans for, but the 3rd big bug I find I'll try and get a pick of it on my cabeza

It is far and few that you actually get a shot at a trophy bug like that, congrats Daniel, you deserve it after all the time you've put in.

Can you believe I grabbed another bug around this size recently? Too bad I had to let it go. If I ever take it home with me I'll write up both encounters I had with it.

Wow nice bug Daniel! I guess all those lucky 7's on your card are still bringing good luck!

:lol: Payday at last

what a monster....great job!!! i can feel all the laguna peeps seething in their chairs at the moment after reading this :D

They snooze they lose :p But seriously time is running out on Laguna Beach. I'm just trying to hit it as much as possible, before it's closed for good.

[Ascendv6]

Should I post the picture of you with a corn cob on your head?

[spearthebigones]

Damn you should write for penthouse, that was an epic read, If it was about a chick i would have been yanking it by now,IT WAS THAT GOOD OF A STORY...
I think you have Austin beat. Weigth that bad boy and name it after ME...

Great Job.

:lol: You can name it for me Dexter. I never name my food.

Right now it's sitting in a holding tank in the San Pedro Aquarium. If it dies soon, they'll throw it in the freezer and I get to pick it up for dinner. If it lives it gets to stay in the Aquarium. I'm hoping it lives.

Oh and for those asking about the weight, I'm hoping Chris will get a chance to weigh it after it has a full stomach of food at the aquarium.

[ralphthehalibut]

:lol: You can name it for me Dexter. I never name my food.

Right now it's sitting in a holding tank in the San Pedro Aquarium. If it dies soon, they'll throw it in the freezer and I get to pick it up for dinner. If it lives it gets to stay in the Aquarium. I'm hoping it lives.

Oh and for those asking about the weight, I'm hoping Chris will get a chance to weigh it after it has a full stomach of food at the aquarium.


naw. you're hoping it dies. lotsa tacos there, and plenty more where it came from

[spearthebigones]

naw. you're hoping it dies. lotsa tacos there, and plenty more where it came from

:D oh I know that guy would taste great

But I'm crossing my fingers he'll live so I get a free lobster molt from Chris Oak. I want to see how it compares to my other mounts.

[mikeme]

:D oh I know that guy would taste great

But I'm crossing my fingers he'll live so I get a free lobster molt from Chris Oak. I want to see how it compares to my other mounts.

Good for you man. You deserve it.:thumps:

[ralphthehalibut]

Good for you man. You deserve it.:thumps:
dude. you need help:rolleyes:

[campbellc0321]

That was a LONG write up, I enjoyed every minute of it.
Congrats on your lobster. Hope he lives, I'll take my boy
up to go see him. Keep us updated if they put him on display.
That video is pretty dam cool as well.

[Chris Lupin]

Hope your lobster makes it, would love to go see it. Nice bug Daniel, +1 for putting it on your head.

[J707]

Awesome catch! That thing is a monster

[Logan]

Nice bug Daniel!

[baja haha]

Congrats on your big bug...
and your noble donation...
Many will enjoy watching that bug for years....

SDM

[abachar]

Great write up and catch Daniel. Nice touch with the "hold up your catch" video instead of a pic. It that raw form it really compliments your story. Hope to run into one of those someday.

[mikeme]

dude. you need help:rolleyes:

????? :rolleyes:

[spearthebigones]

Congrats on your big bug...
and your noble donation...
Many will enjoy watching that bug for years....
SDM

Nah don't call it "noble". It was self centered. I simply wanted the shell more than I wanted its meat. Putting the bug in an aquarium and letting it molt its shell is 100 times easier than preserving the shell from a live bug back at my house. Plus it benefits the aquarium to have the lobster. It's a win win situation.

Hope your lobster makes it, would love to go see it. Nice bug Daniel, +1 for putting it on your head.

Yah if the bug makes it I'd love to see it too. San Pedro Aquarium is only a few miles out of the way whenever I head up to Palos Verdes. So I should be able to swing by anytime.

And I hear the aquarium is free to the public. You just have to pay for parking.

[baja haha]

I appreciate your desire for a big bug molt, however, there are a number of steps in preserving a molt intact and mounting it. In the event you get to that point PM me and I will provide step by step directions.

SDM

[malibujohn]

I appreciate your desire for a big bug molt, however, there are a number of steps in preserving a molt intact and mounting it. In the event you get to that point PM me and I will provide step by step directions.

SDM

I just let this one dry au natual on thje deck!161561

[So-Cal Spearo]

Nah don't call it "noble". It was self centered. I simply wanted the shell more than I wanted its meat. Putting the bug in an aquarium and letting it molt its shell is 100 times easier than preserving the shell from a live bug back at my house. Plus it benefits the aquarium to have the lobster. It's a win win situation.



Good thing you donated it Daniel, if for some reason you didn't have the resources to keep it alive, I'm sure Baja haha (aka Sam) would have ripped on you for removing it from the ocean like he did to me. :rolleyes:

[Putmeincoach]

I just let this one dry au natual on thje deck!161561

Dude, that's bad ass. :thumps: I've got a few Florida Spiny Molts walking across my wall, from about 4 inches overall length up to a huge one that was probably 6+lbs. I'm incredibly jealous that you have one with barnacles on it. :mad:

[spearthebigones]

I appreciate your desire for a big bug molt, however, there are a number of steps in preserving a molt intact and mounting it. In the event you get to that point PM me and I will provide step by step directions.

SDM

Thanks Sam, but this time (provided the bug lives) I'm going to let Chris Oak use his glycerine mix on the molt to make it permanently soft. However that turns out I'll be satisfied.

I just let this one dry au natual on thje deck!161561

Looks amazing John! I do the same thing when I mount my bugs. Just position them and let them harden in the air. Although I've had issues with the top of the carapace cracking months later. Generous amounts of clear paint to the top and bottom of the carapace seem to solve that issue for me.

Good thing you donated it Daniel, if for some reason you didn't have the resources to keep it alive, I'm sure Baja haha (aka Sam) would have ripped on you for removing it from the ocean like he did to me. :rolleyes:

:lol: if I'm lucky enough I might get the same treatment by the end of the year.

[sailor'scousin]

that bug should be free it deserved to live if it got that big.

[Bear Down]

Do the smaller ones deserve to live because they didn't get the chance to 'grow up'? :scratch:

[elcaptainq]

that bug should be free it deserved to live if it got that big.

You shouldn't call them bugs. that is demeaning.

[baja haha]

[QUOTE=spearthebigones;1554748]

Although I've had issues with the top of the carapace cracking months later. Generous amounts of clear paint to the top and bottom of the carapace seem to solve that issue for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a method to avoid the cracking which I have used for over 50 years.

For many years I had numerous rather substantial bugs mounted and displayed in the old Aquatic Center when it was owned by Ron Merker, father of Lance and Grandfather of Killer Kyle.

Only one of the originals remain; a 45 year old 17 pound bug on display high up on the wall at Depth Perceptions in San Luis Obispo.

SDM

[the bodj]

There is a method to avoid the cracking which I have used for over 50 years.

For many years I had numerous rather substantial bugs mounted and displayed in the old Aquatic Center when it was owned by Ron Merker, father of Lance and Grandfather of Killer Kyle.

Only one of the originals remain; a 45 year old 17 pound bug on display high up on the wall at Depth Perceptions in San Luis Obispo.

SDM

sooo whats the method?

[spearthebigones]

You shouldn't call them bugs. that is demeaning.

:lol:

[quote=spearthebigones;1554748]
There is a method to avoid the cracking which I have used for over 50 years.

For many years I had numerous rather substantial bugs mounted and displayed in the old Aquatic Center when it was owned by Ron Merker, father of Lance and Grandfather of Killer Kyle.

Only one of the originals remain; a 45 year old 17 pound bug on display high up on the wall at Depth Perceptions in San Luis Obispo.

SDM

Now I'm getting interested. If you have the time Sam, can post up your mounting process or send me a private message about how you do it. I'd love to hear it.

P.S. 17lb is beyond huge! I wonder if the Laguna lobsters will ever get that big in my lifetime after the MLPA begins.

[John Hughes]

Great job on the donation Daniel.

I got a big molt off one I donated last year that was preserved using Chris' methods. The thing is badass and totally flexible. One of the great things about it is it keeps it's natural color and doesn't change over time. I live right on top of the Cabrillo Aquarium, next time you're in town, swing by and check it out. Can't wait to go see your bug in the tank, hopefully me and all the school kids will enjoy that for years. It's pretty cool going to check it out knowing you caught that sucker!

Congrats again and kudos dude!!

[Chris Oak]

Many thanks Daniel, we put the bug up on display this afternoon and will keep an eye on him to make sure he's feeding. He weighed in at about 10 1/2 lbs, hopefully he'll eat a ton and keep growing :).

Thanks again!

[MarineMammal]

Diving right into the cave both, hands forward, I couldn’t wait to grab that bug.

I'll bet! Very well done!

[Ascendv6]

that bug should be free it deserved to live if it got that big.

Phooeey!

Good on you Daniel! FUCCK LAGUNA!!!!**** THE MLPA!!!!

RBDC!

[spearthebigones]

Nice one Daniel. How much did it weigh?

Chris just weighed it and it's on display now.

Many thanks Daniel, we put the bug up on display this afternoon and will keep an eye on him to make sure he's feeding. He weighed in at about 10 1/2 lbs, hopefully he'll eat a ton and keep growing :).

Thanks again!

[baja haha]

:lol:

[quote=baja haha;1554832]

Now I'm getting interested. If you have the time Sam, can post up your mounting process or send me a private message about how you do it. I'd love to hear it.

P.S. 17lb is beyond huge! I wonder if the Laguna lobsters will ever get that big in my lifetime after the MLPA begins.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry for the delay in responding...I do not live on this board or have 35000 posts

I don't feel like writing...PM me you home address and I will send you a copy of Kreepen Kreepers...

sdm

[baja haha]

I HAVE ANOTHER NEW DIVE HERO--"spearthebigones"

----------------------------------------------------------------
I had the honor of being the first person in the US to have a weekly dedicated diving column in our local news paper titled "Dive Bubbles," which I contributed to for about 5 years.

Long before CDN and crew made a plea for restraint in taking of the larger lobsters many of my columns were devoted to restraint in game taking- Both in quanity and size. No longer can WSB be speared at Divers cove, or can Abalone, Scallops, Pismo Clams and Oysters be harvested off Laguna Beach, or probably any Southern California beach--they are all gone- a thing of the past --what was then is not now, and never be experienced again on this earth..So with restraint preserve what remains

What follows was from my column and my personal request for restraint in capturing and and especially KEEPING large lobsters

MY NEW DIVING HERO

By
DR. SAMUEL MILLER

I have a new diving hero. No, you won't see his picture on the cover of a diving magazine nor will you see him in action in one of the many diving documentaries that grace our TV screens. He’s not even well known for his diving activities.

While many of you were relaxing in the warmth and comfort of your home, he was diving in the water surrounding Santa Rosa Island.

With flashlight in one hand and a lobster bag in the other, he entered the cold of the ocean in search of lobsters.

California Fish and Game laws decree that a lobster must be taken by hand, and must be greater than 3 ¼ inches in length measured from a point behind the horn ridge to the end of the carapace. The mature legal lobster weights less than two pounds, is between four and seven years old. It has the opportunity to mate at least once producing two lobsters that will also reach sexual maturity creating a sustained the yield of the tasty morsels

My diving hero eagerly swam around, over and even into the large caves of the reefs, searching for the carrion of the deep. His first day of hunting produce four legal size bugs including a very presentable six pound seven ounce male.

On the very first dive of the second day he headed underwater towards shore, the conditions weren't ideal, a slight surge was present and visibility was reduced requiring a flashlight in order to see, making swimming difficult. Nevertheless, he continued swimming until he reached an area that looked promising, huge boulders creating large caves in which bugs make their homes. As he was swinging his light from side to side he caught a glimpse of a monster bug sitting regally on top of a ledge out cropping like a mustang over looking his herd. Carefully laying down his light he slowly and methodically approached the bug to do battle. With the experience gained from over thirty years of strong active diving he expertly approached the bug who was also alerted that an intruder was in the area. The bug rose majestically on all ten legs preparing to stand ground and do battle as the antenna, the movement sensing organs, started moving in concentric arcs. Slowly, steadily my hero diver approached monster bug. The bug was also fully aware and alerted that there was a huge intruder steadily approaching. Like two fighters meeting for a championship match, they cautiously sized each other up. Within a split second the battle was over. The bug was expertly pinned. The right hand placed securely around the horns at the base of the antenna and the left grasping and forcing the tail to the reef. No need to measure this one it was unquestionably legal. The bug was given a good shake to disturb its equilibrium and instantaneously thrust tail first into the security of the game bag.

The battle had been decisive Diver 1 Bug 0!

My new diving hero returned to the boat, climbed the swim step to the deck, and unceremoniously emptied his game bag . The enormous lobster weighing in at ten pound eight ounces tumbled to the deck. His fellow divers and the crew gathered around to view close up and personal this gigantic bug from the deep. The dual digit last legs and the large swimmerets under the tail indicated this was a female, a grandmother perhaps even a great grand mother of all the uncaught lobsters still on the reef and the not so quick and certainly not very lucky on the boat.

As he held the 10 ½ pound lobster up for all to see flashes illuminated the diving boat. Other divers not so fortunate held the lobster for documentary photos, like those childhood photos with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. Soon the excitement settled down and it was back to the task at hand, bug hunting. In buddy pairs the divers once again entered the alluring frigid waters of the Pacific in search of future meals.

My new diving hero, as unceremoniously as he had entered the boat and emptied his game bag, replaced the unfortunate gigantic lobster back into the bag.

With the bag firmly grasped in his hand he boarded the dive boat’s inflatable skiff and headed for an isolated area devoid of lobster traps and seldom visited by divers. My diving hero opened the bag, gave the by then bewildered grand mother lobster a final goodbye pat and released it into the comfort and familiarity of the reef, its home hopefully forever.

My diving hero is most famous for the magnificent food served in massive quantities at his Pismo Beach landmark restaurant, F. Mc lintock’s, his name is Tunny Ortali. Just as there is only one F.Mc Clintocks there is only one Tunny Ortali, my new diving hero! A diver of the new millennium, a diver who voluntarily releases a trophy size lobster back into its natural habitat so that the species will multiply for the future generations to enjoy the exhilaration of a bug hunt.

It should be recognized the lobster population will remain stable if each legal female lobster produced, from the excess of 500, 000 eggs it carries, a minimum of two lobsters that reached maturity with in its life time. As the lobster matures and increases in weight the number of eggs carried also increases. A ten and one half pound lobster, at fifteen to twenty or more years old, could carry in excess of one million eggs; producing at each mating season approximately four lobsters that will reach sexual maturity. This grand mother has probably mated ten or more seasons and could count perhaps thirty mature lobsters as off spring. She can now be expected to produce millions of eggs for many more seasons thanks to Tunny.

Dr. Samuel Miller

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FYI; F. Mc Clintocks is the popular dining establishment located on the highway in Pismo Beach. At last report it was the 8th highest grossing single eating establishment in the US. Tunny is his real name...he was named after his uncle who was KIA on June 6,1944--D day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Should you like to see a large mounted lobster, It is suggested that you visit Depth Perceptions in San Luis Obispo- The shop has a 17 pound lobster mounted and displayed high on the wall.

This is the last known mounted big bug of an by-gone era.
Some of you may recall it being displayed for 25 plus years
in the Aquatic Center, Newport Beach when it was owned by Ron Merker, father of Lance and grand father of Killer Kyle Merker. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So if you must capture a bug over 10 pounds--better yet any over 8 pounds, take back to your boat, take a hero picture, then swim it to a rocky reef and deposit it back in a large hole.

Practice --Capture... Picture... Release Just may be, Maybe,young 14 year old Kyle's Grand children will be honored to see the same 'ole bug.......

Thank You,
SDM
Copyright, 2011, Samuel Miller & Lee Enterprize News
The article in part or whole maybe NOT BE reproduced or used with out permission of the author and Lee Enterprize News