Lobster and legal/illegal take?

[deckhand mike]

Does anyone know for SURE the law for catching lobster in california reguarding using say a pole spear to coax them out of a hole. From I what i understand the reg book states that lobster may only be taken be hand. Well what if you beat them out of a hole and then grab them by hand? I'm no poacher and take size and bag limits seriously but I would like to take advantage of fish and games overly complicated and poorly written regulations. Has anyone talked to a warden about this issue?

[Bill]

(1) Saltwater crustaceans may be taken by hand.
(2) Nets, traps or appliances may not.........

sounds pretty clear to me. If you're 'ONLY' worried about enforcement
bleach is probably the best way to get them out of the holes. Just don't get caught with the container (last year in Hawaii). If you can afford a very good lawyer you can probably 'beat the rap' anyway.
Rules, we don't need no stinkin' rules...
Bill

[josedesucre]

I don't hunt in Cali, but as I understand it "taken by hand" doesn't preclude "coaxing" them out of their hole by any means other than shoot them. I use a 3 ft piece of pole spear with a medium size fish hook tied on the tip. File out the barb of the hook and use it to pull the bug out. Good luck.

[kale]

This is a touchy subject here. I spoke to a warden and asked him if it was legal to carry a polespear while bug hunting....for spearing fish. He said that it is legal to spearfish and bug hunt at the same time. But if you come to shore with a bug with a hole in it then you're in the shit . Nets, hooks,sticks, coathangers etc are all illegal to use. From my experience it's best to go hands free and brab 'em. You can also hoopnet if you really want to go the lazy way. Good luck!
Kale

[josedesucre]

Of course you dont want to shoot or make any hole in the bug by any other mean. But you can use a small/medium hook attached to a pole, slide it over the bug, try (gently) to grab the end of the shell (not the tail), and pull out. Usually a light pull is all it takes because the bug jumps out to try to escape as soon as it realizes that it is going to lose the protection of the hole. So you have to be ready to grab it in a fraction of a second, or it is gone!

[kale]

Q. What are the legal methods of take for spiny lobster? Can I use a “tickle stick” to coax a lobster from its hiding spot? A. According to Sections 29.80(a) and (b) of Title 14, California Code of Regulations, spiny lobsters may only be taken by hand or by hoop net. You cannot use any other devices to take or assist in taking lobster - this includes "tickle sticks" or other similar appliances used to coax a lobster from its hiding spot.

I pulled this off the Fish and game website. This is pretty clear to me and I wouldn't risk getting a ticket. Good luck!
Kale

[josedesucre]

Amen
(As I said, I dont hunt in Cali)

[deckhand mike]

Thanks for the info Kale! Not worth the ticket.