Lobster catching

[Tim M]

I was wondering if anyone can give me on tips/info on this. The Norfolk Coast is well known for good lobsters and crabs, so I thought I might have a go at catching some.
Anyone got any tips of bait (I take it you do bait a lobster pot)
Good places to put a pot (how far out?)
Etc etc
Many thanks!

[LURCHER]

We have been quite lucky with our pot and use smelly old mackerel as bait . Catch the mackerel and keep them in a carrier bag for a day or two in the sun ripens them up nicely ! Tinned cat food is supposed to be good too but not tried it , you just punch some holes in the tin to let the smell out but keep the meat in . Bait the pot and check every day . You may find you friendly locals will check it for you ! Good luck.

[Tim M]

Thanks Lurcher.
Generally, how far out to sea do you have to take your pot to get good sized lobsters?
Also, whats the best way of killing them? (Not pleasent I know! My aunt swears by putting them in a watering can of iced water for half an hour)

[Ribald]

Just a quick point to help your fellow boaters. Please make sure the float is visible above the surface with a pole/flag so that us poor unsuspecting sods don't run over it and wreck our engines/drives.

[LURCHER]

Last one was really close to the rocks in Cornwall about 10metres !I usually put my pot near but not too close to other pots and hope it does not get nicked . Look at Rick Stiens books about killing cooking etc .

[Goatboy]

Smelly fish should catch you pleanty of Spider and shanka crabs, they love it. Lobsters tend to like fresh fish, my friend pots for a living and he uses scad. (Horse mackrel)

A lot of people these days prefer the taste of a nice spider crab to a lobster.

[Bilge Rat]

The best and most human way to kill a live lobster is to leave in the fridge for a while then cleve it straight down the centre with a big knife, apparently its more human than boiling the poor thing alive, the cold of the fridge slows the lobster down so its easy to manage, try Rick Steins Lobster Americano its great

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by timofengland

I was wondering if anyone can give me on tips/info on this.

Normally just prefer to pick mine up by swimming up behind them

However you will need to find an underwater feature which they like to hide under. A steep bank or large rocks, or obivously a wreck although you may find the locals have the same idea. What ever you do, don't mix lobsters and edible crabs in the same bag when they are are alive or world war three will break out.

Pete

[LURCHER]

Pete was it you in your PAC22 on Saturday playing with a small outboard on the back off Osbourne area , we were being very bored in a 33' yatch tipped up on one side going flat out at 7 knots!

[Pete7]

Hi mate, no sorry not me. She was securely tired up having a new cover fitted.

Pete