Lobstah!

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by fishbones

You're lucky the owner of the trap didn't see you do that. Your body would have been dumped off some rocky shoreline.

Originally Posted by Finaddict

Yeah ... keep away from those lobster traps, no matter how tempting and vacant a beach seems ... I once watched two guys in a 19 or 20 foot Mako patrolling the shoreline collecting traps that had washed up on the rocks ... some of them could have been theirs, but probably very few were, they had more than a dozen in their boat when the left the stretch of shoreline I was fishing ...

... but as far as catching lobsters on hook and line ... I found the CCC to be quite productive for lobsters while fishing eels ... took two nice keeper sized lobsters back to back while TDF was taking bass ... let them go since I do not have a license at this time to keep them ...

In Massachusetts it's illegal to do either one of those things. First, you can't touch another person's trap--even if it washes up on your own property. You have to call the EPs so they can come and retrieve it. The trap is supposed to have the owner's permit number on it.

And even if you have a lobster license, the only legal method of taking them is by either trapping or potting, or by free diving. You can't keep one that you catch on a hook and line, and in addition, it's illegal to harvest lobsters by any method at night .

[Cool Beans]

Originally Posted by Mike P

In Massachusetts it's illegal to do either one of those things. First, you can't touch another person's trap--even if it washes up on your own property. You have to call the EPs so they can come and retrieve it. The trap is supposed to have the owner's permit number on it.

And even if you have a lobster license, the only legal method of taking them is by either trapping or potting, or by free diving. You can't keep one that you catch on a hook and line, and in addition, it's illegal to harvest lobsters by any method at night .

Same for RI.

I got my permit this year, and forced myself to read the 20+ pages of regulations on them.
Nothing by night, even your own traps, they have a very hefty 1,000 fine for pulling a trap at night, even your own.

[joe the plumber]

Very interesting post.I live in the middle of 2 casinos in Eastern Ct.
Huge Asian population.I also live amongst these people.They are like alot of immigrants in this great country of ours.Hard working,quiet,mind thier own buisness,and fish for food,not sport or recreation.
My point in this ramble of mine is these people are no different than most of our grand parents[if your pushing 50]
I do not know how the authorities can handle this problem.There is no funding.
I know this lobster was a freak catch but it reveals a real problem.I suppose we just have to wait for the next generation to become more "Americanized".In the mean time I personally will try to explain to them when I can,and hope they understand me.
I suppose we just have to accept this as good Americans.I want to know what you guys think.

[MarshCappa]

Originally Posted by Mike P

In Massachusetts it's illegal to do either one of those things. First, you can't touch another person's trap--even if it washes up on your own property. You have to call the EPs so they can come and retrieve it. The trap is supposed to have the owner's permit number on it.

And even if you have a lobster license, the only legal method of taking them is by either trapping or potting, or by free diving. You can't keep one that you catch on a hook and line, and in addition, it's illegal to harvest lobsters by any method at night .

I have a couple of friends that dive for them. They've seen some pretty scary stuff down there in the dark.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by MarshCappa

I have a couple of friends that dive for them. They've seen some pretty scary stuff down there in the dark.

If they're diving for lobsters after sundown, they're violating the law

It is illegal to harvest lobsters by any method at night, in Massachusetts.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

I'm pretty sure it's 10k minimum fine and up to 3 years for disturbing them at night in MA. I may be wrong though.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

RI's 1-5k and up to a year if convicted. You think it would be easy to regulate the Bass a little stricter. That's some big ass fines if you ask me. I think people would think about it if they would be fined out the ass for a short fish.