Lobster Season Opens Saturday at Midnight
Lobster anglers can start hooping it up this Friday after midnight as the 2012 Southern California Lobster Season officially begins. Anglers can take up to seven lobsters per day which can add up fast with local lobster selling at about $28/lb. With a basic net and rigging costing just over $20, anglers have a chance to dine on expensive lobster at a fraction of the price at your favorite seafood eatery.
Jason Morton from Promar Nets offers some great advice for would-be lobster anglers.
"Lobster are nocturnal creatures so you'll want to drop your baited net down about an hour before sunset,” he said. "After the sun sets, lobsters come out of the rocks and crevices they live in and crawl around in search of food."
Morton points out that the tuna bite this year has been incredible and tuna remains make for excellent lobster bait.
"Bait your nets with a fresh, oily fish such as mackerel, tuna or salmon. Leave the net in the water about ½ hour before pulling it so you can fill up with the tasty crustaceans,” Morton added.
Pier fishermen can have up to two nets in the water at a time while boaters may have up to five per angler with no more than 10 nets in the water per vessel. Hoop-netters may only take legal crabs and lobsters and must release all by-catch.
All hoopers must have a California fishing license, and a lobster report card as well as a lobster gauge to make sure your lobsters are of legal length. Make sure you know the current California Department of Fish and Game regulations regarding the taking of California Spiny Lobster.
To get more tips on having a successful lobster season, tune into Phil Friedman Outdoors Radio Thursday night at 8 p.m., when Morton will be a guest on the show. (You can also listen to the archived show at any time.) Morton goes into great detail about how you can be a successful lobster angler and do it safely.
Seal Beach Lobster Seminar
When: Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 6pm
Where: Big Fish Tackle at 1780 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach
Phone: (562) 431 0723
Big Fish Tackle and Phil Friedman Outdoors are coming together to put on a great lobster hoop-netting seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The seminar will feature a guest speaker who will get you up to speed on everything you need to know to catch more and bigger lobster.
There will also be raffles, swag, and big discounts on all lobster-related products. Phil Friedman Outdoors Radio will be doing a live broadcast from Big Fish Tackle. If you can't attend, you will be able to listen in on this great seminar on Radio PFO.
Knowledge is power and in this case it's lots more lobster for you. Come out and have a good time while you learn how to make this a great lobster season.
Tuna Season Continues
Fantastic tuna fishing continues with boats from San Diego to San Pedro scoring excellent numbers of bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, some albacore along with dorado and yellowtail. Several boats out of San Diego had limits of yellowfin tuna early Wednesday morning along with a variety of other species.
The Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach has been catching mostly bluefin tuna with some of the prized tuna weighing as much as 50 lbs. The Freedom from 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro had over 100 bluefin on a recent trip. There has been opportunities for other species too. Dorado, yellowtail and even some albacore have been lurking too.
The Toronado is running a 1.5 day trip for tuna on Friday night. The cost is $225 with the boat departing at 9 pm. For more information call (562) 983 9300.
Great Twilight Fishing
Excellent fishing for fine eating sculpin and more and more sand bass has been the rule for the Native Sun out of Long Beach Sportfishing. Last Saturday, anglers on board took their 5-fish limits of the tasty critters along with over 30 sand bass for only 20 anglers. The weather has been flat calm to boot. The trips go every Friday and Saturday nights from 6:30 pm to midnight and cost only $42. Reservations can be made at (562) 432 8993.
15% Off Your Tab When You Show Your Fishing License at the Beach Café in Long Beach
The Beach Café is offering a 15% discount when you show your fishing license. Chef Matthew Stockard specializes in California BBQ with incredible ribs, chicken, brisket, hot links and more. Stockard is also an avid angler who wants to give back to the fishing community.
The Beach Café is located near the intersection of the 710 and 91 freeways at 703 Artesia St. in Long Beach. The eatery is open 7-days a week, and can be reached at (310) 997-5054.
Car Wash and BBQ Food for Funeral Expenses of Murdered Long Beach Man
Avid Long Beach angler, Raul Martinez sadly reported that his son’s friend's little brother was killed Friday night in Long Beach. Estuaredo Rodriguez, 19, was taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds to the chest and he later died.
Martinez says this has left the family in emotional and financial distress. To help with funeral costs, there is a car wash fundraiser being held from 9 am to 5 pm this Saturday (Sept. 29) at Romeo’s Pizza located at 1950 Santa Fe Ave. in Long Beach. The Beach Café has also donated delicious BBQ meals which can be purchased at the car wash with funds going to the family.
“I am just hoping a lot of people come out and show their love on Saturday,” said Martinez.
