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Conference wahoo::fishing

Title:Fishing Notes- Archived
Notice:See note 555.1 for a keyword directory of this conference
Moderator:DONMAC::MACINTYRE
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Sep 20 1991
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1660
Total number of notes:20970

520.0. "Mass Lobster License" by TOOK::SWEET () Fri Oct 30 1987 14:19

    Does anyone know how I get a non commercial Lobster License for
    Mass? I would like to set some traps next spring and have a few
    lobsters with my fish.
    
    
    Thanks
    Capt. Codfish 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
520.1BUGSJOULE::DEANFri Oct 30 1987 15:1113
    YES. YOU CAN APPLY FOR A NON COMM BUG LIC. AT THE MA. DIV. MARINE
    FISHERIES IN BOS.
    
    I HAVE ONE FOR DIVING AND 10 POTS. ANY ONE IN YOUR FAMILY CAN PULL
    THE POTS.
    
    BUY A BUG GAUGE 3 3/16 IN. EYE SOCKET TO FIRST CARAPACE. AND DONT
    TAKE FEMALES WITH EGGS OR "V" NOTCH BUGS.
    
                                            BON APPERTETE
                                          
                                            WALT. GIBSON LTN 2
    
520.2Thanks for the BUG reportTOOK::SWEETFri Oct 30 1987 19:195
    Thanks,
    
    With luck, lobster dinner every week next spring...
    
    Bruce
520.3Sometimes get someREGENT::BURBINEWed Nov 04 1987 15:558
< Note 520.2 by TOOK::SWEET >
                         -< Thanks for the BUG report >-

Good luck at your new project!!! What do you plan on using for 
bait? Also how often will you pull those pots and what will you 
do to prevent friendlies from having your catch??
Norm

520.4Lobster BaitTOOK::SWEETThu Nov 05 1987 12:5211
    I will use the bodies of the fish I catch, in the spring I will
    be cod fishing and will just fillet them and instead of feeding
    the crabs I will put the bodies in the pots. I imagine some fish
    are better than others for bait...I know many lobsterman use pogies...
    time will tell. I will probably pull them 1-2 times a week, depending
    on how often I get out, and where I am fishing. 
    
    Friendlies????
    
    Capt. Codfish
    
520.5Lobster Pots???COBRA::DUFFYThu Nov 05 1987 16:204
    
                         -< Lobster Pots >-
    
    After you get the license, where can you get the "pots" from???
520.6yREGENT::BURBINEThu Nov 05 1987 16:5012
                               -< Lobster Bait >-

    Friendlies????   Capt. Codfish
    

		Friendlies generally have rubber skin and large 
protrusions from the back. Also wear big glasses and if caught
should be quickly entangled in pot warps and reset. 




520.7More on LobstersTOOK::SWEETThu Nov 05 1987 18:4527
    Ahhhh, I get it...blub,blub,blub oops watch out for my prop...
    
    Seriously, I intend to put my traps in around salem sound, and there
    are many divers in that area but I would hope they can catch them
    by hand and not raid my traps. There are ALOT of comercial guys
    working that area I tend to think there are enough lobsters to go
    around. I will probably set mine in deeper water near some ledges
    I fish, the divers tend to stay near the islands.
    
    As far as getting pots...I have seen used ones advertised in the want
    adds and bargin hunters for around 10-15$ a trap. I think the largest
    expense may be for line since I figure about 50ft per pot (500ft
    for ten). I am also worried about the weight of the traps and hauling
    them. Seems like the wire traps may be less weight than oak but
    do they work as well?  I was thinking maybe I could rig a pully
    on a pole that would go in a rod holder (that way I could get it
    out of the way when fishing) but his idea needs some thought. Any
    suggestions? (Jigger Joe suggested this could be used to hoist
    oversized tuna fish over the side...hmmm might be a big seller).
    
    
    Yesterday was a Tough tough day for me...had the lower unit pulled
    off and the engine winterized. Thats all she wrote till April.
    Nothing to now but clean up the tackle and fill out the xmas list.
    
    Capt. Codfish
    
520.8Try this...RIPPLE::CORBETTKEKENNY CHINOOKThu Nov 05 1987 20:2814
    Re. pulling lobster traps.
    
    In Puget Sound they set traps for shrimp at about 200 ft.  To save
    the wear and tear on their backs, hands, etc. they bring their old
    lawn mowers on board and take a dally around the shaft with the
    rope which causes the mower to lift the trap.  You might buy an
    old lawnmower and rig it up that way.  Anyway it will give you
    something to do during those cold eastern winters.
    
    My boat is still going out and the salmon fishing and crabbing has
    been excellent.
    
    
    Ken
520.9Wire is easierMPGS::NEALFri Nov 06 1987 09:235
    Wire traps will be easier to pull. There is less resistance/weight
    when pulling them through the water. But if you do set up with a
    moter it realy dosn't matter unless it breaks ;-).
    
    Rich
520.10POT WARP andREGENT::BURBINEFri Nov 06 1987 10:559
                              -< Wire is easier >-

Not only is wire easier but it doesn't get worms like the wooden 
ones do. Don't forget to get a supply of tiewraps.

Oh! warp is not very expensive--Sandwich Ship Supply sells it in 
1500 foot spools for about $60.


520.11Alot of good info!!TOOK::SWEETFri Nov 06 1987 11:4411
    Thanks for lots of good information!!! If I can out it to use I
    should be fat (with lobsters) and happy next spring. The lawn mower
    engine is a good idea and I know just the person who has several
    Briggs and Stratton 2-5 Hp engines just waiting for a use, and he
    loves to tinker.
    
    I called Mass Div of Marine Fisheries (727-3193) and they are sending
    me an application. You may file for an '88 permit after DEC 1st.
    The fee is $30.
    
    Capt. Codfish
520.12more about bugsJOULE::DEANFri Nov 06 1987 15:2133
    capt codfish.
    
    Why put the boat away so early? The best cod are in the winter.
    as soon as i shake my fall flu I'll be out there to get a few. I
    was wondering if you have heard of any good spots for pollack? It
    should be just about that time.
    
    In regard to pots the best way to set them is like this.
    
                     |                                  |
                     U                                  U
        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                     /                                  /
                    /                                  /
                   /                                  /
                  /                                  /
               [1]-----[2]------[3]------[4]-------[5]
       #######################################################
    
    Two bouys, five pots, this saves warp,bouys and time to pull them.
    
    if the water is 50 ft deep make sure you use 60 ft of bouy warp.
    
    if you have a small boat reduce the pot string to as many pots as
    you can set on your deck . and still have room to work.
    
    P.S some divers may rob pots; but its much easier for a diver to
    get lobsters right off the bottom. for every bug I see in a pot;
    I see 100 on the bottom.
    if                                                              
                                         good luck 
                                         Walt.
    
520.13StreakersTOOK::SWEETFri Nov 06 1987 16:1025
    re .12
    
    Walt,
    
      Nice picture, how long should the warp be between pots (long than
    the water depth?) only reason I ask is if I was pulling them by
    hand I would have the weight of two traps for a period of time if
    I put them in a string, but if I rig a motor there should be no
    problem. 
    
    The reason I pulled my boat my boat is I trailer it (21 ft Chris
    Craft with a 230 Merc I/O) and we have had a number of hard freezes
    and a cracked block (about $8000) is not worth a few Cod. Last time
    out was a week ago Saturday and the fishing was GREAT! What type
    of boat do you have? If you need an experinced mate for a trip
    let me know.
    
    I have not caught any large streakers lately but I have two 35lbs
    to my name. I know there are some wrecks out around the B Bouy that
    have held large Pollock in the past. Most of mine have come from
    Stellewagon or Tillies. According to the fisherman the Pollock have
    been slow so far on the Banks.
    
    
    CC
520.14could use a starter motorHPSCAD::WHITMANAcid rain burns my BASSFri Nov 06 1987 19:2810
 For what ever it worth, I've seen rigs where the capstan (the 'pulley' you
wrap the line around to help you pull the weight) was attached to a starter
motor and run off the 12v battery, which is kept charged by the alternator.
Or you could steal a couple deep cycle batteries off somebody's bass boat.
You may have to be concerned about the current draw, but I suspect a motor
connected to a ring gear on a -10 deg morning draws a lot more current than
you ever will with the capstan.  If you try it you might want to hook up
and ammeter to see what you draw.

				Al
520.15No starters!!KVARS::LESMERISESMon Nov 16 1987 20:432
    There not starter motors.  They are generators that are rewired
    to be motors,  most auto-electric shops can do this. -felix-  
520.16COD HUNTER19358::HOLLEYTTue Feb 09 1988 20:0015
    I AM NEW TO THE FISHING NOTES. I AM TERRY HOLLEY AND I WORK IN
    SPRINGFIELD. A FRIEND OF MINE KEEPS HIS BOAT AT HARWICH PORT
    ALL WINTER. WE HAVE NOT BEEN TOO LUCKY AS WE DON'T KNOW THE
    WATERS. WE HAVE ALL THE ELECTRONICS BUT NO NUMBERS.
    AS FOR HAULING LOBSTER POTS THEY MAKE AN ELECTRIC POT HAULER 
    THAT RUNS ON 12 VOLTS. YOU WILL ALSO NEED A PULLEY RIGGED
    UP OVERHEAD SO YOU CAN SWING THE POT INTO THE BOAT.
    SKATE ALSO WORK GOOD FOR BAIT AS THEY DON'T DECAY QUITE AS
    FAST AS OTHER FISH.
    IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS ANY NUMBERS THAT THEY DON'T MIND SHARING
    I WOULD APPRECIATE THE HELP.
    
    	THANK YOU
    
    	TERRY C HOLLEY  SPMFG1::HOLLEYT  DTN 243-2268
520.17The way I got started...TOOK::SWEETWed Feb 10 1988 11:3411
    Terry,
    
       What I did when I first started fishing from my boat (no loran
    at the time, but I did have a papar machine) is to get a chart of
    the area you want to fish. If you are looking for Cod then look
    for hills and ledge markings on the chart. If you can locate that
    type of structure its a good bet it will hold cod especially in
    the spring. I have been very sucessfull with this method and now
    that I have loran I can come back on the structure as I find it.
    
    Bruce
520.18Actual start up costTOOK::SWEETThu Mar 10 1988 17:5910
    I just talked to a guy in East Boston at Eastern Trap Co. They make
    wire traps. The price brand new is 27.40 for a 13.5x24x36 trap
    (ready to fish, bricks netting etc). I never knew that traps came
    in different sizes, shapes, the basic rule is bigger traps more
    lobsters. Bouys and stick run about 2.15 each and line is about
    60. for 1200 ft. So the total if I go  brand new on everything is 
    about $385 including the license. Lobster is running about $5/pound
    so thats about 77 lobsters to break even.
    
    Bruce
520.19Bug ReportTOOK::SWEETCapt. Codfish...Jeffries Ledge or BustThu Jun 09 1988 18:419
    Just thought I would pass this along. I actually followed through
    and got my lobster license, bought 6 wire traps, rigged them and
    then set them Sunday and hauled them for the first time
    yesterday afternoon. Got 9 bugs but all but 2 were undersized. Kept
    those 2 and had them for dinner. Mmm Mmm Good!! Nothing like
    fresh Manchester lobsters. Looking forward to bigger and better
    bugs all summer long...
    
    Capt. Lobster er I mean Codfish
520.21Pot Dealer!MERIDN::KPHILLIPSWed Jul 20 1988 16:0445
I discovered a lobster pot manufacturer in New Bedford, MA who sells
pots and warp to the public.

Their pricing is as follows:                                  

                                UNIT 			QTY
	ITEM		       PRICE                   PRICE
	----		       -----		      ------
POTS (coated wire)
	30"x18"x12"		$29.00/ea		$24.00/ea
							in 25+ quantities.

	36"x18"12"		$31.00/ea		$26.00/ea
                                                        in 25+ quantities.

	36"x18"x12"       	$33.50/ea		$28.50/ea
        w/heavy duty bracing                            in 25+ quantities.
	(commercial pots)
                                                                          
WARP
	3/8"  dacron/           $ 0.10/ft		$ 1.90/lb
	      polypropelene				for 1200 ft coil
                                                        ( about 44lbs/coil )
                                                                
	5/16" leaded    	     ?			$ 1.55/lb
              polypropelene                             for 1200 ft coil
                              

	  ?"  mixed rag		     ?			$ 1.55/lb  
                                                        for 1200 ft coil


The Company is Ketcham Traps, 111 Myrtle Street, New Bedford, MA 
     	       (617) 997-4787.

Does this sound like a good deal ? I may be getting some pots toward
the end of the summer, and I don't know how well they stack up to other
sources.

    
P.S. Sorry for some missing info. I was keeping track of my 3 year old
at the same time I was talking to them.

-- Kevin
    
520.221989 Lobster LicenceHAZEL::YELINEKWITHIN 10Mon Feb 06 1989 13:2634
    I just received my renewal application for my Lobster Licence for
    1989. What a SURPRISE!! The DuKE didn't increase the past $30.00
    fee for a non-commercial licence. I thought sure that the fee would
    have doubled..!
    
    New to this years application: 
    
      * The EEZ Endorsement to all Mass. Coastal Lobster Fisherman *
    
    The federal Fishery Management Plan affects all fisherman harvesting
    or possessing lobsters outside of state waters but within federal
    waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Division and the
    National Marine Fisheries Service have agreed that an endorsement
    of your Mass. Coastal Lobster Permit will authorize you to fish
    for lobsters in the EEZ.

    Check the box which describes your operation.
    
    o STATE WATERS ONLY (subject to Mass. statutes and regulations)
    
    o STATE AND FEDERAL WATERS (subject to both Mass. statutes and
    regulations and the provisions of the Federal Lobster Management
    Plan (50 CFR 649) which are applicable in the EEZ.)

    -----------------     ---------
    Signature             Date

    THIS APPLIES ONLY TO 'COMMERCIAL' FISHERMEN and not to divers who
    take lobsters outside of state waters.
    
    BTW- The minimum size for 'keepers' has grown to 3 1/4" for 1989.
    
    /MArk      (already thinkin' of catchin' lobZilla...)