first lobster. San Diego Bay - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dail14 · 10-04-2014, 09:16 AM

Thanks for all the advice. I will likely go with the hoop heavies since those will likely work without adding tons of weight like the chains would. Hopefully with time I will be able to feel when it is flipped over. My eclipse net seemed to have this problem the most while myflat net never had an issue.

orion365 · 10-04-2014, 07:06 PM

I hate eclipse nets, I have caught plenty of lobster with the normal flat nets. Plus those plastic risers and stupid hooks get caught all over the other nets and everything else.

Saba Slayer · 10-04-2014, 07:49 PM

If you guys have the Eclipse net...cut off that dumb bungee and hook...it gets caught on everything. Replace it with a zip tie attached to the leg and around the hoop and you'll be much happier.
You might think about getting an Ambush net if you want to use a conical style. With their smaller size, they are easier to handle on the kayak. The Eclipse is 36" wide and sits up higher and the Ambush is 32" and sits lower.
Those flat style nets are more efficient in shallow water and with a shorter soak time but they require better pulling technique. The conicals excel in the deep water and a longer soak time and are more forgiving on the technique.
As Destroyer said, you can use short pieces of chain or use a galvanized chain with a smaller diameter. Try to get about 3 or 4 pounds on there.

Dail14 · 10-04-2014, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

If you guys have the Eclipse net...cut off that dumb bungee and hook...it gets caught on everything. Replace it with a zip tie attached to the leg and around the hoop and you'll be much happier.
You might think about getting an Ambush net if you want to use a conical style. With their smaller size, they are easier to handle on the kayak. The Eclipse is 36" wide and sits up higher and the Ambush is 32" and sits lower.
Those flat style nets are more efficient in shallow water and with a shorter soak time but they require better pulling technique. The conicals excel in the deep water and a longer soak time and are more forgiving on the technique.
As Destroyer said, you can use short pieces of chain or use a galvanized chain with a smaller diameter. Try to get about 3 or 4 pounds on there.

I cut those dumb hooks off days after I got the eclipse. Actually Jim I got it in a raffle at one of your seminars

. I just have the two hoopnets so even if I got some ambush's, I would still use all of my nets until I have enough of the ambushes. And to a college student that is a lot of money so not really an option. On another note I can easily say that California lobsters are delicious

mclanea · 10-05-2014, 07:51 AM

Good tip on the weights. Was out at Shelter Island last night and the current there is crazy.

Had the same problem with the eclipse, next time out I'll try the traditional net and an eclipse as a test. Upside is I really like the way the kits come with literally everything you need except the bait basket & bait.

baerclaws · 10-08-2014, 07:08 AM

D14,
My only experience is with flat hoop nets and haven’t had problems with “flipping in the current”, but I will consider that one more advantage. I assume that you are on a kayak and that adding weight would feel heavier after pulling a bunch of nets. Another plus to flat hoops is that twice in the past 10 years, I’ve caught large bugs and found it difficult to dislodge them from the net while on the water. I stowed the bait center ring, with lobster clinging, into the front hatch and was able to put on the hatch cover and easily separate the bug from the net on shore later.
Matt,
My bigger bugs, perhaps in a shedding cycle, had the thick orange layer of material covering their tail meat, I’ve never had that with the more typical sized bugs. My preferred method of cooking is butterfly and grill. Do you have a method of removing that less tasty/tough layer?
Thanks,
Ed

10-04-2014, 07:49 PM	#3
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,871	eclipse If you guys have the Eclipse net...cut off that dumb bungee and hook...it gets caught on everything. Replace it with a zip tie attached to the leg and around the hoop and you'll be much happier. You might think about getting an Ambush net if you want to use a conical style. With their smaller size, they are easier to handle on the kayak. The Eclipse is 36" wide and sits up higher and the Ambush is 32" and sits lower. Those flat style nets are more efficient in shallow water and with a shorter soak time but they require better pulling technique. The conicals excel in the deep water and a longer soak time and are more forgiving on the technique. As Destroyer said, you can use short pieces of chain or use a galvanized chain with a smaller diameter. Try to get about 3 or 4 pounds on there. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

10-04-2014, 09:16 AM	#1
Dail14 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 123	Thanks for all the advice. I will likely go with the hoop heavies since those will likely work without adding tons of weight like the chains would. Hopefully with time I will be able to feel when it is flipped over. My eclipse net seemed to have this problem the most while myflat net never had an issue.

10-04-2014, 07:06 PM	#2
orion365 Junior Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 5	I hate eclipse nets, I have caught plenty of lobster with the normal flat nets. Plus those plastic risers and stupid hooks get caught all over the other nets and everything else.

10-05-2014, 07:51 AM	#5
mclanea Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rolando Posts: 85	Good tip on the weights. Was out at Shelter Island last night and the current there is crazy. Had the same problem with the eclipse, next time out I'll try the traditional net and an eclipse as a test. Upside is I really like the way the kits come with literally everything you need except the bait basket & bait.

10-08-2014, 07:08 AM	#6
baerclaws Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 72	D14, My only experience is with flat hoop nets and haven’t had problems with “flipping in the current”, but I will consider that one more advantage. I assume that you are on a kayak and that adding weight would feel heavier after pulling a bunch of nets. Another plus to flat hoops is that twice in the past 10 years, I’ve caught large bugs and found it difficult to dislodge them from the net while on the water. I stowed the bait center ring, with lobster clinging, into the front hatch and was able to put on the hatch cover and easily separate the bug from the net on shore later. Matt, My bigger bugs, perhaps in a shedding cycle, had the thick orange layer of material covering their tail meat, I’ve never had that with the more typical sized bugs. My preferred method of cooking is butterfly and grill. Do you have a method of removing that less tasty/tough layer? Thanks, Ed