lobster diving So Cal?

[holymackerel]

Hello all, I am new to bug hunting, and I was wondering if I could get some expert advice. I went to the south mission jetty the other night, there were tons of lobster(mostly small). The only problem was that they were all wedged deep into the rocks. Are you supposed to wait for them to crawl out? Are they out and about on some nights and not others? For the life of me I could not figure out how guys get them. Also I was wondering if they hang out is the eel grass durring the day. I have seen them under ledges, but how do you find them in the grass?? Any help would be most appreciated.

[PhotoTJ]

Whith a couple of additions, here you go.

I'll tell you how I do it, and you can adapt the techniques and configuration to your liking.

Equipment. Since I mostly night dive, I have a lot of lights. I use a C-8 for a primary, on a D ring mounted leash, an SL-4 for a backup, a MiniQ-40 on my mask strap for a head light, and a second MiniQ-40 for a backup backup.
I have my gage on a retractor on the lower right side of my BC, and a spring lock bag on my right hip. My buddy has his gage mounted on his light, this works really well for him, and I'm considering that configuration. We both wear kevlar gloves.

While I can catch them during the day, night diving seems to be easier, they are out and about.

Now, I dive mostly in Malibu. Big Rock, the pier, Corral, County line. Finding the bugs come first. Water temp and habitat are the most important things. So, first find the habitat, then cover a lot of ground till you find a few bugs, in close proximity. Check the temp. This is where you'll most likely find lobsters in that area.

Start shallow. And I mean have your mask on, and be looking down, when you are still walking. I caught a 4 1/2 pounder in water I could stand in. Look carefully in the eel grass, if you can hold position, wait for a couple of waves and backwash to go by. This will frequintly reveal hidden bugs.

Capture. I keep my light in my right hand, and the headlight on, sweeping from side to side. When I spot a probable keeper, I turn off the primary, and position myself for a left handed grab. (I'm right handed, for some reason, the lefty grab works for me. It's why my gear is configured the way it is.) DON'T HESITATE!!! Grab fast and firm. OK, you've got him in the left hand. Drop your light, and grab your gage. Pin him to your leg, and measure. Remember, it's between the horns to the back of the carapice. If the back of your gage touches his tail, he's short, and on his way to freedom for another year. If the gage hits the carapice, his new name is lunch. Drop the gage, (it's on a retractor, remember?), and grab the squeeze lock with your right. Open, insert lunch, and let the bag close on your hand. Let go of the bug, and pull your hand out. Grab your primary, turn it back on, and look sharp, where there is one, there are usually more.

The head light is important, even when you're wrestling with the bug, you always have light where you need it. When bagging, this is invaluable.

Repeat six times.

When you're done with the dive, re-measure on the beach. Ere on the side of caution, always, I've heard it's a steep ticket. Remember, the limit is 7 per day.

No snares or tickle sticks in California, the only tool you can use is a pair of gloves.

This works for me, I've had lobster for dinner 4 times this year, given 10 to friends, as well as thrown a party serving 8.

I have caught 4 over 4 pounds, my buddy caught one 7+.

Good Hunting, see you on the beach!

TJ

[BLUEGILL]

Great stuff TJ lots of info there!Caught a few decent bugs this season so far as well, but nothing like what your describing.In your experience what do you look for in water temperatures, and even tides if you think they might play a role as well?Is a full moon good?cloudy PM conditions not good,does a high or low tide make a difference at night? I know bugs are going to be where bugs are going to be and you have to really seek out the good spots, but this being my first year as well all info from the experts is appreciated very much! Those lobster taste much better than when we used to pay 15$ for em' at puerto nuevo on surf trips!!!!!!!!!

[PhotoTJ]

I guess the critical thing is cover a lot of bottom area. Myself, I like high tide, right at peak. You can usually bust em' in the shallows, then. If you can stay calm while hunting, it well help your stealth, you will be blowing fewer bubbles, ergo less noise.

Hey, I don't know, maybe I'm just lucky, but these tricks seem to work for me. My buddies usually come out pretty good, as well.

[justaconcept]

Do you grab the body or the pincers because wont they pinch you if you pin it to your leg?

[DFC5343]

Cali bugs secret spot...

[holymackerel]

Holy Crap!

Those things are monsters!

Thanks for the info Photo TJ. Unfortunatly I do not have scuba gear. I was certified in 91(?) but never really invested into gear. I am just getting back into freediving and man it I hate to say this but it is beginning to be more fulfilling then surfing. I find myself actually glad when the swell goes away so the water will get clean. Have you had much experience lobster diving around jetty's? I live right near two of them that people dive, but I can't figure out how they get the bugs out of the rocks. The lobsters are so deep in the cracks and holes. Also, are you saying that you will often find lobsters thicker in completely different areas based mainly on water temp?

[mad dog bite]

Try squirting a little bleach in them cracks and crevices you can't get the lobster out of,dem bugs will come runnin for ya.Right into your bag.

[Dan33]

Some of the best bug spots that you'll find are the beaches that no one else wants to dive. Some species of game, such as Halibut, move around a lot. One day they'll be in Laguna, and the next day in Clemente. Lobster don't really do that, so if you're willing to dive spots that might have a less than ideal entry, or if you're willing to dive in the surf for a while, you'll probably increase your chances. The best part about this is that those types of spots tend to be good for freediving (meaning that if you're a beginner, there's not as much gear to invest in). Like any other sort of diving though, water time is the real key. The more the better. Good luck!

[PhotoTJ]

C'mon, DFC5343, give! Where is the secret spot? :D

[DFC5343]

I will give you this...restricted area and diving a LAR5...I know...I know...unfair...but *&^% it!


BTW...although bleach may work, it is illegal and most of all if the bug takes it into his gills, the meat taste like... bleach.

[Stodelle]

Originally posted by justaconcept
Do you grab the body or the pincers because wont they pinch you if you pin it to your leg?

California Lobsters don't have pinchers. Grab the body area where the tail meets the legs. Make sure you are wearing gloves. I had a friend lose the tip of his finger when the lobster scissored its tail and wham......

Before you all say it, he grabbed it when it was not lobster season and he left his gloves in the car. It wasn't worth the 45 minute motor through Newport Harbor just to get them. that taught him though.

[Stodelle]

Originally posted by DFC5343
I will give you this...restricted area and diving a LAR5...I know...I know...unfair...but *&^% it!


BTW...although bleach may work, it is illegal and most of all if the bug takes it into his gills, the meat taste like... bleach.

Judgin by the location, and your mustache, it's gotta be Coronado. Some of the biggest Cali bugs I ever saw were under the carriers there in the Bay.

[DFC5343]

But no ceegar! But some of the parents had kids.

[holymackerel]

I heard that the coast guard station in the harbor by the airport has all the big lobster. Is that your secret spot?

[PhotoTJ]

Nope, I'm sure of it, I hate him!

Damn nice bugs! :D

[Russell]

Sometimes if the bug is wedged into the hole quite tight, and you can't pull it out by brute force alone ... If you shake the bug, it disoreintates it, the bug lets go, and you can pull it out.

[kill shot]

well guys I've caught alot of lobsters and if you can't use a snare or a tickle stick then why of all things would you want to squirt your dinner with a bottle of bleach? it is the cheap way out. keep swimming and earn your catch, don't poison him into submission. if any kind of officials find out people are catching bugs with bleach bottles in hand then you know they are going to shut down the whole lobster thing altogether. the season is short enough already. DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

[holymackerel]

Got one... had to move a few rocks the size of my computer, but I got em! He tasted great! Stoked!!

[holymackerel]

I was wondering, how dangerous are the eels? Anyone ever get bit? I had a big one swim right by me into the hole I was digging out! It scared the shit out of me.. how far will you dig into a hole for a prize lobster?

[DFC5343]

Been fin shook and almost lost a finger reaching for an ab. Had a pole spear yanked out of my hand spearing a fish in a hole. These guys, California Brown Morey Eels, win everytime. They like lobster and love abalone. I suggest a real good sneak and peek BEFORE reaching into any hole.

[dpc]

I got chased away from a bug last Sun. night by a large Moray. Every time I reached towards the bug, the moray would move in to try and get my hand. If it wasn't for some quick reflexes he probably would have torn my hand up. He wanted the lobster more than I did!!!!

[DFC5343]

Actually that bug is the janitor. Both him and the morey live together. Whenever the morey eats the missed pieces are lobster chew. The morey will protect until the tail meat of the bug is exposed then watch out...eel feeding frenzy.