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What is Surboard Lobstering?
Surfboard lobstering is the art of fishing with a hoop net from a surfboard or SUP. Whether you use a longboard or SUP
the technique is the same.
Bait is placed in the center of the net and as lobsters are attracted and feeding on the bait, the net is retrieved pulling the
feeding lobsters up. When fishing for lobsters you never know what might end up with, it is common to catch rock fish,
crabs, star fish, rays and almost any sea creature. In Southern California, we hoop net for spiny lobster, but Dungeness
crab are available in the bays and estuaries of the Pacific Northwest, and other crabs and lobster are available through
out the waterways of the world.
Surfboard lobstering is the art of fishing with a hoop net from a surfboard or SUP. Whether you use a longboard or SUP
the technique is the same.
Bait is placed in the center of the net and as lobsters are attracted and feeding on the bait, the net is retrieved pulling the
feeding lobsters up. When fishing for lobsters you never know what might end up with, it is common to catch rock fish,
crabs, star fish, rays and almost any sea creature. In Southern California, we hoop net for spiny lobster, but Dungeness
crab are available in the bays and estuaries of the Pacific Northwest, and other crabs and lobster are available through
out the waterways of the world.
Additional Gear
Gauge for measuring legal size, fishing gloves to grab the lobsters and zip ties to attach the bait to the net (dependent
on type of net being used), and glow sticks to mark the location of the hoop net when fishing in the dark.
Gauge for measuring legal size, fishing gloves to grab the lobsters and zip ties to attach the bait to the net (dependent
on type of net being used), and glow sticks to mark the location of the hoop net when fishing in the dark.
Bait
Just about any fish will work to catch lobster. However, oily fish seem to work best. Here in California, mackerel and
bonita work well and are easy to catch. We have experimented with cat food, and other smelly baits, but have achieved
best results with mackerel.
Just about any fish will work to catch lobster. However, oily fish seem to work best. Here in California, mackerel and
bonita work well and are easy to catch. We have experimented with cat food, and other smelly baits, but have achieved
best results with mackerel.
How long to wait.
Fish, lobsters, and crabs can and will find the bait within 10-15 minutes if they are around.
Fish, lobsters, and crabs can and will find the bait within 10-15 minutes if they are around.
Where?
It is best to place the hoop net on a flat bottom near a cave, rock out-cropping or
similar structure where lobsters hide. Avoid placing on a crevice or rock pile as the
lobsters will eat the bait from the bottom of the net. Also, a depth of around 20 - 30
feet works well.
When?
Lobsters are nocturnal creatures, so, hoop netting is best done at night when
lobsters come out to "crawl" and feed.
It is best to place the hoop net on a flat bottom near a cave, rock out-cropping or
similar structure where lobsters hide. Avoid placing on a crevice or rock pile as the
lobsters will eat the bait from the bottom of the net. Also, a depth of around 20 - 30
feet works well.
When?
Lobsters are nocturnal creatures, so, hoop netting is best done at night when
lobsters come out to "crawl" and feed.
Safety:
Know your location! It is key that you have a solid understanding of the obstacles, reefs, riptides and currents in your
chosen location. I always scout a location ahead of time, usually during a minus tide, so I can see the location of rocks,
reefs and obstacles. I also try to recognize key landmarks that will help me pinpoint my location out in the water. Also,
be especially aware of waves, do not go out where waves are breaking. If you should encounter a wave, always float your
board over the wave, not through it. But, if you have to go through a wave, grab the handle of the fishing box to support
the box as you go through, know how to do this before you go out.
Know your location! It is key that you have a solid understanding of the obstacles, reefs, riptides and currents in your
chosen location. I always scout a location ahead of time, usually during a minus tide, so I can see the location of rocks,
reefs and obstacles. I also try to recognize key landmarks that will help me pinpoint my location out in the water. Also,
be especially aware of waves, do not go out where waves are breaking. If you should encounter a wave, always float your
board over the wave, not through it. But, if you have to go through a wave, grab the handle of the fishing box to support
the box as you go through, know how to do this before you go out.
Basic Gear
The basic gear of surfboard and wetsuit are the same as you would use in
Board Fishing, please see the Board Fishing Tips and Tricks for these items.
In addition, a hoop net, and a BoardFisher Lobster Box or BoardFisher
Fishing Box to put the catch in.
The basic gear of surfboard and wetsuit are the same as you would use in
Board Fishing, please see the Board Fishing Tips and Tricks for these items.
In addition, a hoop net, and a BoardFisher Lobster Box or BoardFisher
Fishing Box to put the catch in.
How to Bait and Use the Hoop Net
The bait is placed in the pouch in the center of the bottom of the hoop net.
Once the net is baited it is then lowered to the bottom where the lobsters crawl
and feed. The net is then left with the buoy marking its location. Since there is
no way to see if a lobster is in the net, the hoop net is checked for lobsters by
being pulled up every 10 to 15 minutes, and with any luck, a lobster will be in
the net.
When retrieving the net it is best to slowly and quietly center the line over the
net so as not to scare the feeding lobsters and then to retrieve the net with a
steady upward pull all the way to the surface. Make sure you are balanced as
you begin the pull.
The bait is placed in the pouch in the center of the bottom of the hoop net.
Once the net is baited it is then lowered to the bottom where the lobsters crawl
and feed. The net is then left with the buoy marking its location. Since there is
no way to see if a lobster is in the net, the hoop net is checked for lobsters by
being pulled up every 10 to 15 minutes, and with any luck, a lobster will be in
the net.
When retrieving the net it is best to slowly and quietly center the line over the
net so as not to scare the feeding lobsters and then to retrieve the net with a
steady upward pull all the way to the surface. Make sure you are balanced as
you begin the pull.
How to measure a lobster.
The legal size is a 3 1/4 in. body, measured from the base of the tail to between
the horns. The measurement is taken from the top of the body. When using a
lobster gage, the gage must touch at both ends or not fit over the body.
The legal size is a 3 1/4 in. body, measured from the base of the tail to between
the horns. The measurement is taken from the top of the body. When using a
lobster gage, the gage must touch at both ends or not fit over the body.
| Lobstering Tips |
Bring a flashlight. Use it when you make a pull to see what's in your
trap.
Use Glow Sticks to mark your traps.
Wear gloves to remove lobsters from trap.
Use life jackets and safety flotation device if required. Never exceed
your capabilities as a waterman, staying within your limits.
Wear wet suits in cold conditions and when required. I often wear a hat
to keep my head warm.
Never catch waves. This is extremely dangerous and your board
fishing gear will get lost!
Always be aware of your ropes to avoid tangling. I will typically tie off
my ropes with about 5ft of slack. Typically I will make the first drop to
determine the depth that I will be fishing, and then make sure that there
is not excess slack in the lines..
Never over reach, this will cause you to lose balance and fall off your
board.
Always go out with a partner.
trap.
Use Glow Sticks to mark your traps.
Wear gloves to remove lobsters from trap.
Use life jackets and safety flotation device if required. Never exceed
your capabilities as a waterman, staying within your limits.
Wear wet suits in cold conditions and when required. I often wear a hat
to keep my head warm.
Never catch waves. This is extremely dangerous and your board
fishing gear will get lost!
Always be aware of your ropes to avoid tangling. I will typically tie off
my ropes with about 5ft of slack. Typically I will make the first drop to
determine the depth that I will be fishing, and then make sure that there
is not excess slack in the lines..
Never over reach, this will cause you to lose balance and fall off your
board.
Always go out with a partner.
Last but not least, if a seal starts to take an interest in your rig, pull your gear and head on in. Seals will smell your
bait, and can grab the net, they also seem to be more aggressive at night, coming in very close to see what tidbits you
have. Remember, they are wild animals and will bite you if not treated with the proper respect.
So, if your anything like me, it's easy to get hooked on surfboard lobstering, use your good judgement and have fun
with it.
bait, and can grab the net, they also seem to be more aggressive at night, coming in very close to see what tidbits you
have. Remember, they are wild animals and will bite you if not treated with the proper respect.
So, if your anything like me, it's easy to get hooked on surfboard lobstering, use your good judgement and have fun
with it.
How to Paddle with Net
Place the hoop net over the box with the small hoop, lines and float
resting on top of the box.
Place the hoop net over the box with the small hoop, lines and float
resting on top of the box.
