Hoopers,Think Ahead! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Saba Slayer · 09-01-2014, 06:46 AM

This warm water year should have the Bugs up in shallow water at the start of the season up until about November when they should move deeper. The season before last, SD kicked butt on the counts in the Bay. It was a warm water year...lets hope that the Bay is as active this season. Almost 21% of the total catch was from SD Bay and Zuniga Jetty.

Location # Location Name Percent of Catch
1 – 18 - San Diego Bay 16%
2 - 1 - Catalina Island 12.4%
3 – 57 - Pt. Vicente up to King Harbor 8.0%
4 – 17 - Zuniga Jetty 5.4%
5 – 64 - Santa Monica up to Malibu Pt. 5.0%
6 – 3 - Santa Cruz Island 4.7%
7 – 61 - King Harbor up to Santa Monica 3.8%

Warm Water = Bugs crawling and eating...

Good Luck this Season!

mclanea · 09-01-2014, 06:54 AM

I've watched some videos on how to do it... but as a rookie would you guys suggest taking a couple dry runs to get used to managing the gear? Feels like it'd be better to learn how to do that in the daylight than at night.

Hunters Pa · 09-01-2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclanea

I've watched some videos on how to do it... but as a rookie would you guys suggest taking a couple dry runs to get used to managing the gear? Feels like it'd be better to learn how to do that in the daylight than at night.

Keep an eye on when Jim "Saba Slayer" Salazar will be doing his seminars.

Dry run? why not catch some crab while you are practicing?

Von_Vaughn · 09-01-2014, 08:32 AM

When you pull them out of the net where are you keeping them? A buddy wants to try hoop and skin diving for bugs this season. I just dont know how long they can keep or where to keep them until I get them into a boiling pot. Also one forum recommends ripping the tails off and just keeping those in a bucket.

Hunters Pa · 09-01-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von_Vaughn

When you pull them out of the net where are you keeping them? A buddy wants to try hoop and skin diving for bugs this season. I just dont know how long they can keep or where to keep them until I get them into a boiling pot. Also one forum recommends ripping the tails off and just keeping those in a bucket.

You can rip off & keep just the tails if you want your run in with DFW to be really unpleasant. Determining legal size is done by measuring the carapace. Keeping just the tail would eliminate your ability to demonstrate that they are legal size.

You can keep them in a mesh dive bag, bait tank or let them crawl around topside or in your hull. Or just put them in a bucket. Dont keep them in water unless it is circulating. The waste buildup will not be good for their health or flavor

Saba Slayer · 09-01-2014, 09:53 AM

mclanea...PM sent.
I'll check with the moderators...and if it's OK, I'll post a list of seminar venues for you newbees.

I agree 100% with what Sean said..."Dry run? why not catch some crab while you are practicing?"
Although you may have to use longer ropes for Crab (depending where in So. Cal. you are hooping) DAYTIME hooping for Crabs is a great way to gain confidence and learn how to use your gear. It's pretty intimidating to get out there in the dark at night for the first time with all that rope and floats and lights and all. Especially at the start of the season when its more crowded.

"When you pull them out of the net where are you keeping them? A buddy wants to try hoop and skin diving for bugs this season"
If you guys work together don't mix your Bugs... keep the two limits separate on each kayak. You can just throw the lobsters in the kayak hatch...although you and the warden could have a hell of a time getting them out to be checked...A dive bags works good (put them in tail first) a bucket with a top, or your live well is probably the best place to keep them fresh and alive.

"I just dont know how long they can keep or where to keep them until I get them into a boiling pot."
Keep them moist and cool and they will stay alive for a day or two.

"Also one forum recommends ripping the tails off and just keeping those in a bucket."
Whatever forum that is... please tell them that they are setting themselves up for a Very Big DFW Ticket ! !
29.90(e) states..."Spiny Lobsters shall be kept in a whole, measurable condition, until being prepared for immediate consumption."
IMHO...Unless your on the "DFW most wanted list" I think you should be safe once home, to "rip the tails off" and store them in your freezer.

MissileTM · 09-01-2014, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclanea

I've watched some videos on how to do it... but as a rookie would you guys suggest taking a couple dry runs to get used to managing the gear? Feels like it'd be better to learn how to do that in the daylight than at night.

Read Jim's book. He knows his stuff!

09-01-2014, 06:46 AM	#1
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,872	warm water This warm water year should have the Bugs up in shallow water at the start of the season up until about November when they should move deeper. The season before last, SD kicked butt on the counts in the Bay. It was a warm water year...lets hope that the Bay is as active this season. Almost 21% of the total catch was from SD Bay and Zuniga Jetty. Location # Location Name Percent of Catch 1 – 18 - San Diego Bay 16% 2 - 1 - Catalina Island 12.4% 3 – 57 - Pt. Vicente up to King Harbor 8.0% 4 – 17 - Zuniga Jetty 5.4% 5 – 64 - Santa Monica up to Malibu Pt. 5.0% 6 – 3 - Santa Cruz Island 4.7% 7 – 61 - King Harbor up to Santa Monica 3.8% Warm Water = Bugs crawling and eating... Good Luck this Season! __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer Last edited by Saba Slayer; 09-01-2014 at 07:42 AM.

09-01-2014, 09:53 AM	#6
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,872	Newbee mclanea...PM sent. I'll check with the moderators...and if it's OK, I'll post a list of seminar venues for you newbees. I agree 100% with what Sean said..."Dry run? why not catch some crab while you are practicing?" Although you may have to use longer ropes for Crab (depending where in So. Cal. you are hooping) DAYTIME hooping for Crabs is a great way to gain confidence and learn how to use your gear. It's pretty intimidating to get out there in the dark at night for the first time with all that rope and floats and lights and all. Especially at the start of the season when its more crowded. "When you pull them out of the net where are you keeping them? A buddy wants to try hoop and skin diving for bugs this season" If you guys work together don't mix your Bugs... keep the two limits separate on each kayak. You can just throw the lobsters in the kayak hatch...although you and the warden could have a hell of a time getting them out to be checked...A dive bags works good (put them in tail first) a bucket with a top, or your live well is probably the best place to keep them fresh and alive. "I just dont know how long they can keep or where to keep them until I get them into a boiling pot." Keep them moist and cool and they will stay alive for a day or two. "Also one forum recommends ripping the tails off and just keeping those in a bucket." Whatever forum that is... please tell them that they are setting themselves up for a Very Big DFW Ticket ! ! 29.90(e) states..."Spiny Lobsters shall be kept in a whole, measurable condition, until being prepared for immediate consumption." IMHO...Unless your on the "DFW most wanted list" I think you should be safe once home, to "rip the tails off" and store them in your freezer. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

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09-01-2014, 06:54 AM	#2
mclanea Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rolando Posts: 85	I've watched some videos on how to do it... but as a rookie would you guys suggest taking a couple dry runs to get used to managing the gear? Feels like it'd be better to learn how to do that in the daylight than at night.

09-01-2014, 08:32 AM	#4
Von_Vaughn Junior Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 7	When you pull them out of the net where are you keeping them? A buddy wants to try hoop and skin diving for bugs this season. I just dont know how long they can keep or where to keep them until I get them into a boiling pot. Also one forum recommends ripping the tails off and just keeping those in a bucket.