Fewer lobster in the Keys this year?

fishensticker · 07-21-2008, 08:50 PM

I was scoping out some of our "old reliable" bugg'in holes this past weekend off Tavernier/Upper Islamorada, and from the areas we checked out so far, it sure seems that there are fewer lobsters this year than were there in prior years

Anyone else notice the same? May just be the areas we were in

DIRTYFOOT2 · 07-22-2008, 04:56 PM

goliath jewfish ate em all

Its time to open up a tiny slot or permit/tag fishery for these monstas. They eat everything

Ivan11 · 07-22-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIRTYFOOT2

goliath jewfish ate em all

Its time to open up a tiny slot or permit/tag fishery for these monstas. They eat everything

stole the words from out of mouth.

fishensticker · 07-22-2008, 10:00 PM

The jewfish are very abundant here in Naples--they're constantly eating snapper right off your hook, and it just so happens that there aren't any lobster to speak of here (that i'm aware of)--seems suspiciously coincidental

. But in the Keys this year I've seen more nurse sharks than usual, and often near a empty lobster tail shells. Don't know the answer, but it looks like we'll be lucky to get our lobster limit this year

Capt. JJ · 07-22-2008, 10:43 PM

They're not jewfish, they're roundtail grouper. I believe that falls into the "all others" category on the FWC pamphlet...

RiskTaker · 07-23-2008, 12:19 AM

Do you remember when Diving was Dangerous....?

Maybe it is time to go back in the water with bang-sticks again.

If you cannot eat them, perhaps food for thought. Arrrh.

Disco Lady · 07-23-2008, 08:09 AM

COÑO!!!!!!!!!!

Harry Klauber · 07-23-2008, 08:15 AM

The reduced amount of lobsters has to do with the increased number of goliaths that eat them as well as more nurse sharks than I have ever seen before which also dine on lobster. I fish many small wrecks in Biscayne Bay and just last week noticed 2-3 large nurse sharks on every one which is something I have never seen before. I also observed something else that was very disturbing and that was alot of lobster heads around the wrecks. Ever wonder how a goliath, or nurse shark, can twist the head off a lobster and only consume the tail?

RiskTaker · 07-23-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Klauber

The reduced amount of lobsters has to do with the increased number of goliaths that eat them as well as more nurse sharks than I have ever seen before which also dine on lobster. I fish many small wrecks in Biscayne Bay and just last week noticed 2-3 large nurse sharks on every one which is something I have never seen before. I also observed something else that was very disturbing and that was alot of lobster heads around the wrecks. Ever wonder how a goliath, or nurse shark, can twist the head off a lobster and only consume the tail?

That sounds to me that some prefer to have their crawfish tails poached, not to be confused with poached eggs.

Now my father can tell you a story, where Barracuda prefer to eat just the tail section and leave the head behind. Well since he doesn't post here, I'll tell it....(I was a little whipper-snapper at the time and had to stay in the boat, but I remember the tale.)
It was at the old Bahia Honda bridge before there was a new bridge. BTW - Bang sticks were still popular in this era but you were not supposed to use them for food fish. Crawfish season was open and he was filling the ditty bag with crawfish. Apparently a large barracuda was eyeing his catch. So at one point, he had just grabbed a crawfish and in a split second Mister Cuda charges. One moment later only a crawfish head remained in my dad's hand and there was a tear in his leather glove. All his digits were still intact and no blood was shed. That day there was one crawfish head left on the bottom and another fishing story to share.

Crawfish heads - Yes, and right about now it is so annoying, just a few days before the season is to open, to see crawfish heads littering the reefs. You know that someone was very recently there, plundering the bootie, but so often you don't catch them in action. Maybe there should be an open season for poachers too!

krisis7 · 07-23-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. JJ

They're not jewfish, they're roundtail grouper. I believe that falls into the "all others" category on the FWC pamphlet...

So if I bring a pair of shears and "modify" the tail, will that make them legal...

WhItEoUt 23 · 07-23-2008, 03:05 PM

Certifiable · 07-23-2008, 03:45 PM

Did anyone else notice the resemblance between Dirtyfoot and Ivan on thier avatars?
Dude...I think you guys are the same guy

Ivan11 · 07-23-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Certifiable

Did anyone else notice the resemblance between Dirtyfoot and Ivan on thier avatars?
Dude...I think you guys are the same guy

lol, maybe!

DIRTYFOOT2 · 07-24-2008, 04:08 PM

busted

hof · 07-24-2008, 05:28 PM

spend more time checking out the area. there are plenty out there -- remember "daily limit"

Special_K_III · 07-29-2008, 05:05 PM

I spend about 2 weeks in Key Largo every August. Last August (2007) was a tough year for me and my lobsters, but in 2006 we had a banner year catching limits every trip.

fishensticker · 07-31-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Special_K_III

I spend about 2 weeks in Key Largo every August. Last August (2007) was a tough year for me and my lobsters, but in 2006 we had a banner year catching limits every trip.

We had the exact same experience in 2006--great lobstering off Tavernier that year.

Yesterday, after getting to our first planned lobstering spot at 6:30 am only to find that someone had "camped out" on our spot overnite, then suffering another set back as a result of a prop-wrapped third lung air hose

, we were forced to scout out a few new spots which actually turned out for the best and managed to get our limit

Hopefully more of the same today

07-21-2008, 08:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
fishensticker Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Naples, FL Boat: 39 Topaz Royale Best Catch: everything pelagic Occupation: Lawyer Posts: 71	Fewer lobster in the Keys this year? I was scoping out some of our "old reliable" bugg'in holes this past weekend off Tavernier/Upper Islamorada, and from the areas we checked out so far, it sure seems that there are fewer lobsters this year than were there in prior years Anyone else notice the same? May just be the areas we were in

07-22-2008, 04:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
DIRTYFOOT2 Grander Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake Worth fl Best Catch: 53lb Black Grouper Occupation: Gunnel Washer Posts: 2,061	goliath proliferation goliath jewfish ate em all Its time to open up a tiny slot or permit/tag fishery for these monstas. They eat everything __________________ right thumb on the spool, left hand flips the lever

07-22-2008, 10:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
fishensticker Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Naples, FL Boat: 39 Topaz Royale Best Catch: everything pelagic Occupation: Lawyer Posts: 71	The jewfish are very abundant here in Naples--they're constantly eating snapper right off your hook, and it just so happens that there aren't any lobster to speak of here (that i'm aware of)--seems suspiciously coincidental . But in the Keys this year I've seen more nurse sharks than usual, and often near a empty lobster tail shells. Don't know the answer, but it looks like we'll be lucky to get our lobster limit this year Last edited by fishensticker; 07-23-2008 at 03:10 PM..

07-22-2008, 10:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Capt. JJ Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Boca Raton/Boynton Beach Boat: Venture 34 "Tuna Time" Best Catch: 403# Sword, 400# Mako Occupation: Boat Driver Posts: 245	They're not jewfish, they're roundtail grouper. I believe that falls into the "all others" category on the FWC pamphlet... __________________ It's a big ocean, find your own fish Tuna Time Charters, Boynton Beach, FL www.TunaTimeFishing.com

07-23-2008, 12:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 1,979	Do you remember when Diving was Dangerous....? Do you remember when Diving was Dangerous....? Maybe it is time to go back in the water with bang-sticks again. If you cannot eat them, perhaps food for thought. Arrrh. __________________ The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it. - Ernest Hemingway.

07-23-2008, 08:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Disco Lady Grander Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Miami. FL, Boat: 37 Merritt Best Catch: (Blue Marlin)550 Lbs ST. Thomas Occupation: Charter Captain Sometimes... Posts: 3,521	COÑO!!!!!!!!!!

07-23-2008, 08:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Harry Klauber Hooked Up Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Boat: 284 Mako Best Catch: Blue Fin Tuna - 1049 Pounds Occupation: Retired USCG Unlimited HP Chief Engineer Posts: 459	The reduced amount of lobsters has to do with the increased number of goliaths that eat them as well as more nurse sharks than I have ever seen before which also dine on lobster. I fish many small wrecks in Biscayne Bay and just last week noticed 2-3 large nurse sharks on every one which is something I have never seen before. I also observed something else that was very disturbing and that was alot of lobster heads around the wrecks. Ever wonder how a goliath, or nurse shark, can twist the head off a lobster and only consume the tail?

07-23-2008, 03:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
WhItEoUt 23 Grander Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: pompano bch Boat: dusky 23 Best Catch: 160 lb swordfish 52 ib rooster fish Occupation: self employed Posts: 1,295	__________________ TIGHT LINES AND SHARP HOOK'S

07-23-2008, 03:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
Certifiable Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vero Beach Boat: 36' Contender Best Catch: 200# Blue Marlin/1200#Black Marlin Occupation: Engineer Posts: 354	Did anyone else notice the resemblance between Dirtyfoot and Ivan on thier avatars? Dude...I think you guys are the same guy __________________ Sig 9mm - I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6

07-24-2008, 04:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
DIRTYFOOT2 Grander Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake Worth fl Best Catch: 53lb Black Grouper Occupation: Gunnel Washer Posts: 2,061	busted __________________ right thumb on the spool, left hand flips the lever

07-24-2008, 05:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
hof Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 11	you gotta ... spend more time checking out the area. there are plenty out there -- remember "daily limit"

07-29-2008, 05:05 PM	#16 (permalink)
Special_K_III Lines In Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, Florida Boat: 30' Hydra-Sports Occupation: CPA-Ship & Electric Power Generation Mgmt Posts: 30	I spend about 2 weeks in Key Largo every August. Last August (2007) was a tough year for me and my lobsters, but in 2006 we had a banner year catching limits every trip. __________________ Visit Pure Pilates in Fort Lauderdale http://www.pure-pilates.net

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