LOBSTER HOOP NETTING TIME!

Know The Regulations

Now that we've got the bait covered, you really need to be aware of the lobster regulations so you don't get yourself in a pinch. The California Department of Fish and Game made a new set of Lobster Regulations legal on April 1, 2011. There has been a lot of confusion about them, so to help clarify them I've included a copy of the new regulations and a simple explanation of them.

The following lobster regulations come from the booklet “California Regulations, 2011-2012 Ocean Sport Fishing,” published by the DFG. I also follow it up with my own translations in plain English.

Regulations can change from year to year, and the laws on lobster hoop-netting are likely to change again, so be sure to read the current regulations before you set out hooping.

CRUSTACEANS

29.80 Gear Restrictions.

(a) General Provisions:

(1 thru 3 have not changed)

(b) Hoop nets may be used to take spiny lobsters and all species of crab. Between Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, and the United States-Mexico border, not more than five hoop nets as defined in (b)(1)(A) or (b)(1)(B) shall be possessed by a person when taking spiny lobster or crab, not to exceed a total of 10 hoop nets possessed when taking spiny lobster or crab, per vessel. The owner of the hoop net or person who placed the hoop net into the water shall raise the hoop net to the surface and inspect the contents of the hoop net at intervals not to exceed two hours.

(1) Hoop Net Defined: There are two types of hoop nets allowed for use. They shall be defined as:

(A) Type A: Fishing gear that is comprised of one to three rigid ring(s), with each ring measuring no greater than 36 inches in inside diameter nor less than 10 inches in inside diameter, which is/are connected to soft mesh thereby forming a circular-shaped net with an enclosed bottom. Lift lines may be attached only to the top ring. A second and third rigid ring(s) may be connected by soft mesh to the top ring; however, each ring must be equal in size to or smaller than the ring above it. When the net is being raised the top ring shall be above and parallel to all other rings, with the enclosed bottom portion of the soft mesh even with or hanging below all other rings. All parts of the hoop net shall collapse and lie flat on the ocean floor in such a manner that the gear does not entrap or restrict the free movement of crustaceans until lifted. When suspended from lift lines, the entire hoop net shall measure no more taller than 36 inches. The ring material shall not be thicker than one inch in any dimension.

(B) Type B: Fishing gear that is comprised of two to three rigid rings (not including the bait ring) with each ring measuring no greater than 36 inches in inside diameter and the top ring measuring no less than 15 inches in inside diameter. The upper ring or rings shall be connected to the bottom ring and supported by no more than six rigid support arms, and the assembled frame shall measure no more than 10 inches tall. The rings and support material shall not be thicker than one inch in any dimension. All rings shall be connected by soft mesh, thereby forming a net with an enclosed bottom, and lift lines shall be attached only to the top ring. When suspended from lift lines the enclosed bottom portion of the net shall be even with or hanging below all other rings, and the entire net shall measure no taller than 30 inches. A bait ring may be attached to the net as long as the ring is not part of the rigid frame.

(2) Any hoop net abandoned or left unchecked for more than 2 hours may be considered abandoned and may be seized by any person authorized to enforce these regulations.

In Plain English

These new regulations and gear definitions adopted on April 1, 2011 allow the majority of the hoop-netters in Southern California to continue to use the Promar or Danielson traditional and conical style nets that they used in the past. All of the designs currently on the market fit the new Type A and Type B definitions.

The major change from previous years regulations is the removal of the word baited from the number of nets allowed. No longer will you be able to bring extra un-baited nets along on those overnight island trips, and you had better think twice about picking up that abandoned float and net and then being technically over limit on your hooping gear.

The regulation now allows five nets per person or 10 nets maximum on the boat or yak. The other big change is the new two-hour time limit on unchecked or abandoned nets. How this time limit will be enforced is yet to be seen, although I know my local Redondo Harbor Patrol likes hoopers along the break-wall to be in visual attendance of their nets, and will confiscate unattended nets.

Read More!

Jim Salazar is one of the most respected lobster fishermen in Southern California. He literally wrote the book on hoop-netting, and some of this article was excerpted from “Hoopin' It Up: A Guide to Lobster and Crab Hoop Netting,” which he recently updated with all of the new California regulations.

If you want to learn more of Jim's tricks, including the best rigging techniques and bait preparations, make sure to pick up a copy of his book. It's a quick read and gives you the no-nonsense information you need to catch more lobster. You can find it in all of the major tackle shops in Southern California, or pick it up online at www.sabaslayer.com/html/book.html.