Lobster: Thoughts and tactics

[Fitzy_1982]

I've tried all sorts of off-cuts & tinned sardines in my lobster/crab post but the bait which caught lobster was wrasse (offcuts of large ballan wrasse, used in Bouillabaisse). I've also seen a professional potter using wrasse, among other off-cuts. Kind of makes sense, wrasse are prolific in the rocky areas close to shore where lobster tend to be, as their skin has a distinctive "pepperiness", at least that's how it seems to me.

One of the SA forum members suggested limpets - again, found on the rocky shore where you tend to find lobsters. Although I suspect anything oily/fishy/meaty/manky could do the job.

I agree with you 100%, laying down a bit of bait such as a fish is a good way of luring lobster and crab out. I couldn't believe how successful it was when I tried it however I havn't had the chance to try it again.

I have a sore head to nurse today so I'm not going to think about it for the moment:friday.

 

[Fitzy_1982]

Has anyone ever caught or ate fresh water cray fish. There is a lake not too far from me and I have been told it is full of crayfish

 

[superdude171]

Ive never had the chance to eat the crayfish but i have caught them when i was younger, as far as i know there are two types the native one which is very rare and endangered by an invasive species called the american signal crayfish, which is out competing it. as the american one is an invasive species you can eat as many as you like, you can tell them apart because they have a red/orange flash or signal on their inside of their claws.

Greg

 

[foxfish]

Try the search button as there is a long thread on the subject, one of our members is even a professional cray gatherer.

 

[Fitzy_1982]

try the search button as there is a long thread on the subject, one of our members is even a professional cray gatherer.

`thanks foxfish

 

[foxfish]

Here you go Fitzy old boy http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/61708-anyone-dive-collect-freshwater-crayfish-uk.html

 

[bobdonny]

Na, bit of a disaster. We headed for Waterford but the wind was blowing from the south and there was a fair swell. It looked like there was a patch that seemed calm but when we got in we were just getting thrown around. Viz was non existant.

Don't know when I'll get out again.

How did you use the tickler?

I found some large crab holed up in some deep caves in the exposed coral. I poped in my tickler and persuaded them to move slightly then I shot my hand in, grabbed a claw and pulled him out

Fresh mussels in garlic breadcrumbs + crab cakes with spring onions and sweet chili... mmmmm

 

[Fitzy_1982]

Here you go Fitzy old boy http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/61708-anyone-dive-collect-freshwater-crayfish-uk.html

HHHmmmm, thanks, but just found an article that says that freshwater crayfish in Ireland are protected so thats the end of that.

 

[Fitzy_1982]

I found some large crab holed up in some deep caves in the exposed coral. I poped in my tickler and persuaded them to move slightly then I shot my hand in, grabbed a claw and pulled him out

Fresh mussels in garlic breadcrumbs + crab cakes with spring onions and sweet chili... mmmmm

I bet you wont be happy on a dive now unless you get a lobster or crab. Its addictive, the meat is lovely. Crab claws in butter, nice!!!!!!!

 

[bobdonny]

yep, i get a few crabs every other week. lovely in sushi. i get mine mostly buried in sand or walking on rocks

sunfish caught a nice crayfish a few years ago, tis in hof, but they are rare.

 

[terallan]

I have enjoyed reading this thread as I have a keen interest in bagging some lobsters freediving this year myself. I've often thought that if fishermen use bait in their pots to lure them in, then rubby dubby and bait sounds a good way to lure them out of their hidey holes. I've got a freezer full of mackerel, so next time I'm out, I'll try some and report back.

Now don't laugh, you know the suggestion about the small lobster to lure out the bigger beastie, what if you had a 'lure' rubber replica on the end of a stick and shoved that in the hole? Maybe that would get a reaction?

I'm really going to enjoy this year trying some of the ideas on here to catch a few lobsters. I don't SCUBA, just freedive and if I can pluck up enough courage to go out at night with a bud, my chances might increase. Brown crab and scallops don't present much of a challenge anymore, so I'm really keen on picking up a few tips and tricks for the lobbies.

I hope this thread stays alive and look forward to posting and reading again.

cheers

I agree with you 100%, laying down a bit of bait such as a fish is a good way of luring lobster and crab out. I couldn't believe how successful it was when I tried it however I havn't had the chance to try it again.

I have a sore head to nurse today so I'm not going to think about it for the moment:friday.

 

[Fitzy_1982]

Keep her lit!!!

 

[Fro-in-shorts]

I suppose using a replica on the end of a stick could work but would'nt focus on this tactic. Its more to do with finding the best area possible to search, learning to recognise what critter lives where and the signs of inhabitance. Patience is a virtue, so is stealth. My biggest tip is if u harass a lobbie enough it will either fight or flee. Most will have a back door to escape out of, or will have a deep lair and retreat to the back when aggrivated. You can often rely on the big ones coming out for a scrap if provoked, and the smaller ones trying to escape through the back door, therefore locate this exit and give the lobbie a good prodding to scare it out into the open where they are easy pickings. hope this helps. Massive spring tides this weekend, so lobster could be on the cards

 

[Fro-in-shorts]

went down the beach with my hook and bag of tricks today:t

 

[Andyhaths77]

Don't know if anyone suggested this already....
Lobsters are extremely territorial, if you can find a smaller lobster and hold it near it's bigger cousins lair it will come out to defend it's territory....

 

[Fro-in-shorts]

Went lobstering the other day on the big tides, found plenty of lobbies but all either 2 small or eggbound, so came home empty handed, got to leave a few to make more lobsters though eh!

 

[Andyhaths77]

I suppose using a replica on the end of a stick could work but would'nt focus on this tactic. Its more to do with finding the best area possible to search, learning to recognise what critter lives where and the signs of inhabitance. Patience is a virtue, so is stealth. My biggest tip is if u harass a lobbie enough it will either fight or flee. Most will have a back door to escape out of, or will have a deep lair and retreat to the back when aggrivated. You can often rely on the big ones coming out for a scrap if provoked, and the smaller ones trying to escape through the back door, therefore locate this exit and give the lobbie a good prodding to scare it out into the open where they are easy pickings. hope this helps. Massive spring tides this weekend, so lobster could be on the cards

I've also found lobsters cohabit with congers from time to time. Me and my buddies often thought twice at sticking arms in....

 

[Fro-in-shorts]

I'll never stick my hand into a hole blindly, never found them cohabiting though, was miffed to find a big fat conger had taken up residence in my fav lobster hole last weekend.

 

[Andyhaths77]

I'll never stick my hand into a hole blindly, never found them cohabiting though, was miffed to find a big fat conger had taken up residence in my fav lobster hole last weekend.

I've seen it loads and loads of times on wrecks...

 

[johnnybuoy]

My father knows a guy who lost a finger under a rock lookin for lobbies. Conger took his finger clean off. I always see them together on wrecks.
Posted via Mobile Device