stealing Lobster Pots

[Mr. Sandman]

Thanks for everyones comments. I am still POed. My pots were not near a comm set. I understand turf wars to an extent but my 5 pots are not going to put a dent in lobster population. I am a peaceful man but can almost justify the razor rope approach. In my view, one should not touch anothers gear, ever. My only problem is the shellfish constable has the right to pull pots to check for legal traps, escape vents, hog ties that rust, ect. I made sure my traps met the law because I know he goes out there and checks. (we have a new constable). So for the sake of HIS hands I will not do the razor rope. I plan on talking with him today to see what we can do.

[Nebe]

razor blades???

you guys either need a good therapist or have watched too many charles bronson films.. I have a hunch Mr Sandman is smart enough not to do that.













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razorblades rust over time. use C-4 underwater demolitions grade explosives

[sokinwet]

I have had the best luck using single pot set ups. Try 2 buoys/1 pot if you're afraid of prop cut offs. You won't lay over a commercial line and that is where most problems occur. MOST commercial guys will cut and re-tie your lines but some seem to forget the re-tie part.

[Swimmer]

Sandman, where is the rocky bottom your wrote of in the first post. PM me if you'd like with the reply. I used to live on the Vineyard and for the life of me i cannot think of where ou speak, unless of course its north of Menemsha harbor by Split Rock.

[Mr. Sandman]

Found them......
In todays paper!
http://www.mvtimes.com/News/06092005...s/lobster.html
(mine are the yellow white and green ones in the background)

Good thing I didn't put the razor rope to work eh?


I have a call in to this guy but according to the news article I must be in violation of some kind. I think I know what the "issue" is but we well see.

[MakoMike]

Sandy,
I'm sure we would all be interested to hear what he says.

[Swimmer]

I wonder if you will be able to recitfy the problem with the traps. This is the only time I ever heard of this kind of proactive work by an EPO. Good in a way. Wish they would wrok on people poaching short stripers. Let us know what happens Sandman.

[nightfighter]

Do you know any of the comms? Flatter them by telling them you would value they're opinion on how to handle a problem..... they might just A. start looking out for you and your gear, B. have a good laugh behind your back, or C. might pass along some good info.

[Mr. Sandman]

Well to wrap up this thread....I got them back. I met with the Eviron. Police officer on Sat and spoke with him for a while. It turns out I had a small adminstation oversight and he returned them to me and said, otherwise the were "model pots" I wish they were all marked like yours. He said my were the first he picked up and he said almost all of the rec lobster fishermen have something incorrect and he could not pull all the pots. He is recording their numbers and sending them a letter telling them what they have to do.

He said he is after the guys who have bad pots. Pots with plastic zip-tied escape vents or SS hog rings. (must be steel so they rot out if lost) Also all pots without numbers were pulled. He said a lot of people pick up a pot at a yard sale and toss it in the water...half the time the pot does not even have an escape vent or is wired shut, has no numbers and has a couple of beer cans in the parlor. These have to be removed.


I support this guy. He has a lot on his plate . He said the State has been giving out bad info and not educating the public as to what need to be done. You can't even buy a current gauge in 90% of the places that sell them anymore. Also he is following up on leads of fisherman taking short bass. I think his main message was he wants to see fishermen "make an effort" to keep up with and follow the rules. Mistakes and misinformation will happen...generally there are no fines for this but purposely avoiding the regs will get you a summonds.


PS you guys with illegal scup or fish traps....you better watch out and don't get caught hauling them (if they are still in the water).
Anyway...my babies are home again

[reelecstasy]

Glad it all worked out for you Sandman...

[tynan19]

Glad to see it ended on good terms.

[The Iceman 6]

Thanks for the F/U Sandman...When's lobster dinner?

[jsullivan]

just take some dental floss and tie in some 1-O gama's eye down facing the trap with the dental floss wrapped around the hook shank holding it to the trap line
@ every 2' of line the last 10' where the person really hauls on it to get it up
only you know theyre there so you avoid them anybody else is sol
it works good