How to Prepare for Lobster Fishing

Lobstering is a tradition that began back when man discovered that lobsters were good to eat. Lobstering today is a lucrative commercial venture—a venture that requires expensive gear and a hardy boat, for the worker's office is replaced by the unpredictable sea.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Acquire a lobstering license. These are available through the state in which you are lobstering. Maine has a state license and a federal license, with the federal license allowing you to follow the lobster out into deeper water in the winter. Most people get the state license, which limits you to fishing only in the state-mandated lobstering season. Learn the lobster fishing regulations for your state, which will be given to you with your license.

2. Purchase a lobster boat. These are available through the classifieds, through other lobstermen looking to retire, or through dealers like Boatquest and Novi Boat Brokers.

3. Gather the gear you will need. You'll need two buoys per line. Some lobstermen have 10 traps on each line with a buoy at either end marking the location of the traps. If you have 10 lines, you will have 20 buoys, and 100 traps. Also buy a gaff to pull the buoy in.

4. Mark your buoys in a distinctive manner so that not only can they been seen against the dark sea, but so that others know the lines are yours. Gear can be found at local commercial fishing stores, or online at such places as Commercial Lobster Traps.

5. Decide on the number of lines you will set. If you are fishing by yourself, you will probably want to set fewer lines. When you're fishing with a crew, you may wish to set more.

6. Buy a GPS unit. You will use this to find the location of the lines you set and it will enable you to set your engine on autopilot as you steam between lines. Program the lines' locations into the GPS after you set your traps. Buy a radio to communicate with the Coast Guard and other vessels as well.

7. Find foul weather gear for yourself, such as waterproof boots, oil gear (waterproof overalls and coat), warm coats and sweaters, a warm hat, gloves and plenty of dry socks. Buy plenty of safety equipment as well, such as life preservers and, if you're fishing in the Atlantic, consider buying an emergency dry suit in case something happens to your boat while at sea.

8. Purchase insurance for yourself and for the boat. Register your boat with the state. You can do this at your town office or city hall.

9. Find a bait shop where you will go every morning for bait to put in your traps. Some lobstermen have their bait in waterproof tubs, while others keep their bait in 50 gallon drums. The amount of bait you will need depends on the number of traps you need to set.

10. Decide where to keep you boat. You may be able to moor your lobster boat at the town dock, or at a marina, or at a mooring just offshore. If you decide on the latter, buy a small boat that you'll keep on the shore, and will use to go to your lobster boat each morning. You can find that information by looking in the phone book, or by talking with other lobstermen in the area.

11. Make sure you have extra line and netting, and perhaps even some spare traps onboard. These will help should your lines or traps become damaged.

12. Find someone to buy your lobsters. Some lobstermen sell their catch directly to restaurants or seafood stores. You can ask other lobstermen, or go to the various stores and restaurants in the area to inquire. You may even be able to sell your catch to companies that sell lobster across the United States or the world. These companies can be found in the phone book.

Resources

• Commercial Lobster Traps has all the lobster traps you need.
• Novi Boat Brokers sells lobster boats.

[r2d246]

on 5/17/2009 also try www.fishing-career.com