RamonPerezGables
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On a recent dive trip I saw some guys that were really good at catching lobsters. I want to be good too. Can someone give me some tips to help me get better.
Catching lobsters
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Johnoly
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Where were you?
It makes a huge difference since regulations vary so much between locales.
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RamonPerezGables
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I was in South Florida. I live in Miami.
Johnoly
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I hunt alot of lobsters on the Florida East coast. There are 3 keys to catching alot of bugs. 1. cover alot of area, 2. Work quickly on the bug so you can move along, 3. Don't hunt where others have already been.
To learn how to work quickly on the bug, you need to watch others who are hunting and copy their techniques. Each bug is different, so you can't just say "Always tickle from the right side", or loopers are the best, or clear plastic tickle sticks can't be seen. Each set of conditions will require a different technique.
As an example I pull about half of my bugs out by hand if there is a reasonable current. If current is 3 knots or more, that goes up to 100% are hand pulls. But you can get bit by eels or other things, so be careful. I also use an Oceanus green looper, but a tickle stick can be even better.
Since you are just starting out, I can offer you these beginning tips.
* Start with a Tickle stick and net instead of a looper. You'll 'Keep' more bugs when just starting out. New divers using a looper tend to back up bugs into the hole more often.
* Try to go out with divers & charters that cater to hunters so you can watch different hunters and see how they do it. MissConduct out of Pompano is a good small boat that will help you.
* Buy the VHS called Tail Tamer, available at most FL dive shops (or Amazon). You may even find it at the library. It's a great video that you can watch several times to see how he catches bugs.
When you do go hunting remember these 4 things.
1. Tickle slowly, let the bug focus on you and your bubbles, not the tickle stick
2. Work your own line and your own bug, don't follow someone else since they will catch the bug before you will. Also 2 sets of bubbles will just spook a bug, so don't help a buddy catch a bug.
3. Walk the bug out of the hole. When you get good, you should be able to walk them all over the reef without spooking them.
4. Never let the bug see the net. Put the net behind the bug's tail and slowly walk him into it.
Best of luck to you and above all, watch your air gauge. No bug is worth your life.
To learn how to work quickly on the bug, you need to watch others who are hunting and copy their techniques. Each bug is different, so you can't just say "Always tickle from the right side", or loopers are the best, or clear plastic tickle sticks can't be seen. Each set of conditions will require a different technique.
As an example I pull about half of my bugs out by hand if there is a reasonable current. If current is 3 knots or more, that goes up to 100% are hand pulls. But you can get bit by eels or other things, so be careful. I also use an Oceanus green looper, but a tickle stick can be even better.
Since you are just starting out, I can offer you these beginning tips.
* Start with a Tickle stick and net instead of a looper. You'll 'Keep' more bugs when just starting out. New divers using a looper tend to back up bugs into the hole more often.
* Try to go out with divers & charters that cater to hunters so you can watch different hunters and see how they do it. MissConduct out of Pompano is a good small boat that will help you.
* Buy the VHS called Tail Tamer, available at most FL dive shops (or Amazon). You may even find it at the library. It's a great video that you can watch several times to see how he catches bugs.
When you do go hunting remember these 4 things.
1. Tickle slowly, let the bug focus on you and your bubbles, not the tickle stick
2. Work your own line and your own bug, don't follow someone else since they will catch the bug before you will. Also 2 sets of bubbles will just spook a bug, so don't help a buddy catch a bug.
3. Walk the bug out of the hole. When you get good, you should be able to walk them all over the reef without spooking them.
4. Never let the bug see the net. Put the net behind the bug's tail and slowly walk him into it.
Best of luck to you and above all, watch your air gauge. No bug is worth your life.
Richesb
Contributor
Excellant advice.
Works basically same way in Keys, except we only use "tickle sticks". I personally use my speargun and catch them by hand, when trying to get a couple to go along with the fish we have shot.
As you've said paitence, practice = success
Works basically same way in Keys, except we only use "tickle sticks". I personally use my speargun and catch them by hand, when trying to get a couple to go along with the fish we have shot.
As you've said paitence, practice = success
gonphishing
Contributor
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The trick is to let the lobster catch you!
That and covering more ground. Don't hesitate to wait for that perfect time. Just go for it as soon as you see one. I caught the smaller one (5.25 lbs) of the two in the picture. The other was my friend Darrell (7.5 lbs! :11
That and covering more ground. Don't hesitate to wait for that perfect time. Just go for it as soon as you see one. I caught the smaller one (5.25 lbs) of the two in the picture. The other was my friend Darrell (7.5 lbs! :11
These guys are messing with you- The secret is to get a good lobster whistle, go down to your LDS and ask for one.
netwayne
Guest
I just stumbled upon this thread and glad that I did. I hope to get into some lobster soon also. Thanks for the tips and pics. Looks like you "killed em" in this pic.... Was the viz good or not so and how's the lobstering pressure in that area where you got em?
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