Lobster tails for bait??

[Nebe]

Let's say that you find a dead schoolie on the beach. Do you take it home? You didn't catch it. There are no laws that say you can't take it home. But what you do have to follow is possession laws. If the schoolie is over 28 you can take it home. With lobsters, the possession laws are A certain number of inches from the eye socket to the back edge of it's carapace. If the lobster is above legal size and you have a lobster liscence, you are allowed to possess them.

Also, the legal possession size for scup is a certain number of inces-9 I think. You are not allowed to liveline scup shorter than that..

So go-ahead and use lobsters as bait, but possession of them is illegal without a rec liscense
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[likwid]

The laws read that any possession must be a certain size (that includes using as bait), along with being a permit holder. And if they catch you, its on your a#@$ to prove that the lobster was of legal size.

That said, go for it, but get caught and you're most likely screwed.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by likwid

The laws read that any possession must be a certain size (that includes using as bait), along with being a permit holder. And if they catch you, its on your a#@$ to prove that the lobster was of legal size.

That said, go for it, but get caught and you're most likely screwed.

But, but, but-----that's just speculation. You're not a retired clam cop

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Mike P

But, but, but-----that's just speculation. You're not a retired clam cop

True, but non-retired "clam cops" can speculate you a hefty fine. I don't think retired "clam cops" can help with that.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Also, the legal possession size for scup is a certain number of inces-9
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

10.5"

[FishermanTim]

Once again,

If you procure the lobsters through legal means, and they are of legal size and sex, you can do whatever you please with them.

As for picking them up off the beach, if they are dead, eating them would be the LAST thing I would ever consider.

Here's a "loophole" for the beachcombing collectors: If you have a rec license for lobster, wait until they are "underwater" and collect them. Since there is no specific ruling relating as to how deep they have to be, underwater means UNDERWATER. Not 20 feet, not 10 feet, not even 3 inches.

Although the poaching aspect sounds more important today, I would logically speculate that the beach-combing restriction would be to prevent people from collecting dead shellfish and eating them.

As for the "posession" argument, you need to specify that it relates to coming FROM and taking FROM the ocean. The blanket rule mangling that has been bantered about here would mean that if you go to a reputable fish monger, buy a couple of lobsters to cook at home, once you leave the store you are in violation unless you have a lobster license, since "posession" was the point. That's absurd, but that's what has been presented here.

Let's all take a moment and check out the Marine Fisheries Abstracts regarding shellfishing. That's where I went right from the beginning.