A Question, and an Opinion

[PhotoTJ]

Why is everyone keeping the monster bugs? I use a 5/7 rule, (5 pound female/7 pound male), research indicates these size lobsters are 40+ years old. I have heard and seen more photos of huge bugs this year than I had in the last three combined.

My way of thinking, a bug this size is a photo op only, If I have to buy new cookware, I'm not keeping it.

Again this is just my opinion, I'm not trolling here. If you're good enough to catch a monster like that, you should be good enough to get your limit, and 7 2-3 pounders is a feast.

So, in all seriousness, why are they being kept? No flames, please, just tell me your reasons.

 

[ryanarcher]

I agree - leave the large ones in the ocean. I don't have a license, but when I get one I don't want to be that guy smiling with the huge lobster next to my car. I figure is a lobster has lived 40 years it deserves a better fate than dying in my trunk or boiling on my stove top.

 

[whalerkyle]

The bigger the better. Just like fishing, or hunting. My wife and I consumed a 9.5 pounder last night, talk about eating good!

Kyle

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Check this link.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/status/ca_spiny_lobster.pdf

Females can live up to 20 years, males up to 30.
I posted some of the pix you are probably referring to. When I first got certified, my plan was to catch a few bugs rather than paying $20 for one in a restaurant. I didn't take any during my first 650 dives because I would only see a few legals on each dive. Later, I met some buddies who were kind enough to show me where the bugs are. There are places around Palos Verdes where I can find over 100 lobsters per dive, and a few places where I can always find some bigguns. Last month I took two that weighd 6 1/2 pounds each. That was more than double my previous record of three pounds. Saturday I found a 9 1/2 pounder. My first bug that filled my game bag by itself. Last season was my biggest take year. I caught twelve lobsters. I know of many divers who will routinely take 6-7 legal size bugs from Flat Rock almost every week. These smaller bugs would have had 15-20 years of breeding ahead of them, while the larger ones would only have a few. By taking smaller bugs you are potentially reducing the number of future lobster populations at a much greater rate than someone who takes an occasional trophy size bug. Also, as lobsters get to be very large they become canibalistic and eat the smaller bugs.

 

[scubapro5]

Hi TJ did your research include my questions below:

Does a 10+lb lobster still reproduce?

To me I would "think" the 5lb females you say are ok to take are the biggest reproducers?

I have no problem being more selective if your data is correct.