Just what is a California spiny lobster? Technically, it is a decapodan arthropod, or, as the names signify, an animal with 10 jointed legs. All of the 8500 species of decapods are similar in design, being generally called shrimps, crabs, or lobsters. The more than 20 species of spiny lobsters belong to the family Palinuridae.

In North America, there are at least 3 species: our California species, Panulirus interruptus, ranging from Point Conception (about the San Luis Obispo area) southward to Magdalena Bay (almost to the tip of Baja California on the Pacific Coast); the Mexican langousta, Panulirus inflatus, ranging as far north as San Diego and southward throughout the Gulf of California, with its attractive blue-green coloration and whit spots, longer appendages, many more spines (don't try to catch one without gloves!), and smaller tail than the California species; and the Florida spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, which ranges throughout the Caribbean and up the eastern coast of North America beyond northern Florida. This species is similar in appearance to the Mexican species.

The newcomer to 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" area; 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 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 only extend back a foot or so.

The legal size of a lobster in California waters 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. 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 size of the lobster to determine legality. 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.

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.