lobster nets, worth it?

Hi!

I'm a recreational sailor, and I'm not really much of a fisherman.
But, I wanted to see if anyone has any advice about lobster trapping.
I anchor in 8-20' of water all the time while I'm cruising, along the
Massachusetts coast. That seems like good lobster territory, and
recreational lobster licenses are available here in MA.

The problem: traps. Too big to carry on a 30' boat. I can, though,
get a net. SOme of them are like basketball hoops, with a bottom,
others are like pyramids that close when I yank them up.

Do these things work? How often should I expect them to work? How do
I know when to yank them up?

Can anyone point me at a book that will help with this?

Thanks for the replies! If folks reply via email, I'll summarize the
best advice and post it in a week or so.

On 18 May 2006 15:00:48 -0700, "Gavin" wrote:

Hi!

I'm a recreational sailor, and I'm not really much of a fisherman.
But, I wanted to see if anyone has any advice about lobster trapping.
I anchor in 8-20' of water all the time while I'm cruising, along the
Massachusetts coast. That seems like good lobster territory, and
recreational lobster licenses are available here in MA.

The problem: traps. Too big to carry on a 30' boat. I can, though,
get a net. SOme of them are like basketball hoops, with a bottom,
others are like pyramids that close when I yank them up.

Do these things work? How often should I expect them to work? How do
I know when to yank them up?

Can anyone point me at a book that will help with this?

Thanks for the replies! If folks reply via email, I'll summarize the
best advice and post it in a week or so.

one word:

scuba

"Gavin" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi!

I'm a recreational sailor, and I'm not really much of a fisherman.
But, I wanted to see if anyone has any advice about lobster trapping.
I anchor in 8-20' of water all the time while I'm cruising, along the
Massachusetts coast. That seems like good lobster territory, and
recreational lobster licenses are available here in MA.

The problem: traps. Too big to carry on a 30' boat. I can, though,
get a net. SOme of them are like basketball hoops, with a bottom,
others are like pyramids that close when I yank them up.

Do these things work? How often should I expect them to work? How do
I know when to yank them up?

Can anyone point me at a book that will help with this?

Thanks for the replies! If folks reply via email, I'll summarize the
best advice and post it in a week or so.


I grew up fishing out of Barnstable Harbor on the Cape. Never saw the nets
you describe used for Lobster.

They sound like the Crab Rings I use here (Washington State) for Dungeness
Crab. Works great, but you need an active area, good bait and frequent (1
hour) checking. Rocky bottoms aren't great for these, but sandy & grassy
areas are.

And don't let the line go slack when you pull the ring, lest you lose your
catch!

Lobsters feed mostly at night. That being said:
Here is a couple of links to look at:
http://www.allkayakfishing.com/articles/lobster.html
http://www.blueoceantackle.com/hoop_nets.htm

"jj" wrote in message
oups.com...
Lobsters feed mostly at night. That being said:
Here is a couple of links to look at:
http://www.allkayakfishing.com/articles/lobster.html
http://www.blueoceantackle.com/hoop_nets.htm


Is what the recreational fishermen use on the West Coast.