"Bugs," the California Spiny Lobster

The newcomer to lobster/bug hunting will rapidly find out that certain areas are better than others for finding lobsters. Certainly, the sandy bottom is not really a "hot spot"; the rocky bottom needs holes of sufficient size and configuration to contain lobsters measuring more than 11 inches long. A rocky area with lots of urchins is not conducive to lobster abundance, although prime abalone areas are often good bug sites as well. Lobsters may be found in all diveable depths,
including the shallow tidepools. There are areas where lobsters are more easily caught during the day--these are spots where the ledges or dens are not interwoven and extend back only a foot or so.

The legal size of a spiny lobster in California is a minimum of 3 1/4 inches, measured in a straight line from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the carapace (body shell, which ends at the junction with the tail). This represents a lobster of about 10
1/2 inches long, or slightly less than a pound in weight. This size determination of 3 1/4 inches is one that cannot be fudged; you must carry some measuring instrument that will allow you to accurately gauge the legality of the lobster's size. The daily take and/or
possession limit of seven lobsters is liberal; most divers find it impossible to "limit out" and a catch of three to four bugs is considered terrific. Of course, it goes without question that you need a valid California fishing license (available at most sporting goods stores, fishing marinas, and dive stores), and please check what the season and limits are as they might change from year to year.

You also need to have a pair of sturdy garden gloves (spines chew up the neoprene gloves too much)--I prefer the orange fuzzy "Boss" gloves. I take along the large goody bag with a wire hoop opening, to which I tie on my lobster gauge.

During the day, lobsters are found in holes, with only their antennae projecting beyond the margin of the hole. As the diver approaches, especially in an area that has experienced other divers traversing it, the lobster backs into the hole immediately. If not, you have a much better chance to capture it. Position each hand to the outside of each antenna as close as possible without touching the antenna, thus frightening the lobster. Then, with a swift and sudden motion, grab the base (or as close as you can to the base) of the antennae. The long, outer segment of the antenna is easily broken off, for the lobster backs
away and spins at the instant you touch it. Many divers have longed for a secret recipe to utilize the antennae of lobsters as you will end up with this pair of "chopsticks" often! The larger the lobster, the easier it is to catch, but the harder it is to pull out of the hole. A ten-pounder (an animal nearly 3 feet long and a body shell so wide that Wilt Chamberlain would have difficulty "palming" it) will be quite strong, and it may be a few minutes before you are able to wrest it out of its den. Once out of the hole, grasp the lobster firmly at the bases of both antennae with one hand (if you are able to do so and still control the lobster), open up your goody bag (make sure that any bugs already in the bag don't get out--I always twist the long bag so that the bugs inside are below the twisted knot), and place the lobster into the bag with the back of the lobster first and the legs last. In this manner, you will avoid the frustrating experience of the lobster grabbing the bag and closing it for you before it is completely inside. Oops, don't forget to measure it before you put it into the bag--this is why I have my gauge tied to the outside of the bag for quick and easy access to the gauge. Once
the lobster is inside the bag, I generally shake it down to the bottom of the bag, twirl the bag above the lobster(s), and hang on to the bag where the bag is twisted. This will keep the lobsters below the makeshift closure so that none gets out when I open the hoop for the next lobster.

Lobsters are nocturnal scavengers, meaning that they leave their dens and hunt for food at night. Shortly after dusk, many (but not all) of the bugs start charging about in the surf grass, up and down the sides of reefs, up on the palm kelp, or even walk about on the sand. Many divers find this time to be most productive in finding and catching lobsters. Your light transfixes the bug for a while, especially if you are the first buddy pair into the area. The lobster will be seen to carry its antennae over its back so that your best bet is to get your hand (the one not carrying the flashlight) behind the bug and between its antennae and its body. You can then bring your hand down and clamp the lobster down to the bottom. You will have to figure out your best procedure as to the positioning of your light, what to do with your game bag, etc. There is usually enough light available to see the lobster--especially if you are clever about positioning the light and still have both hands free. Some ingenious divers have constructed a miner's head lamp-like setup to free both hands and still have direct light playing on the lobster.