Hoop Netting

Using hoop nets, or "Hooping" for lobsters and crabs. What is this about? you may be asking yourself. In this section, we'll try to answer that and get you started in the right direction with some of the basics of the activity and an explanation of some of the equipment involved. This section is written with an emphasis on hoop netting from a kayak, which is the method I mainly participate in. However, you can use a good amount of what is written in this section for other methods as well.

Just like any other type of fishing in California, there are regulations for the open season and harvest amounts. You can find " Lobster Regulations " here for the 2006 season opener. The common questions such as "How many nets can I use?", "When does lobster season open?", "What is the minimum size?" and other questions are answered here. Next, we have a informative page on the " California Spiny Lobster " which as a partial listing includes subjects such as the coastline range which they inhabit, what is known about California Spiny Lobsters mating and reproduction, the growth process and more.

Next are our hoop netting gear sections. If you plan to hoop net for lobsters, it's worth a read. Our " Tips & Tricks " section covers some of the tips we have discovered about hooping for lobsters after some years of participating in this activity. Some of the subjects we cover are modifying your hoop nets, using bait cages, adding chain or weights to your nets and more. Next, our " Hooping Netting Methods " page covers a few of the different hooping methods we employ here is California during lobster season.

Last but not least are our " Measuring Spiny Lobsters " section which covers the correct way to measure spiny lobsters, and our " Cleaning Lobsters " page which shows how we separate the lobster tail from the body and clean out the digestive tract from the lobster tail.

If after reading our hoop netting section, if you see anything we missed, please let us know. However, one thing you won't find here are exact spots or much mention of them for where to hoop net at. Unfortunately, lobsters and crabs tend to stay in an area. Yes, they move around to feed and such, but they don't swim great distances in search of food like fin fish do. For this reason, they can be out harvested before other marine life.

One caveat about the activity is that hoopers tend to be tight-lipped about the locations they hoop. Not because we are an unfriendly bunch, but out of necessity more than anything else. If this happens to you, please don't take it personal. Until you really know someone, you don't know if the angler asking is a commercial lobster fisherman or not.

I have made use of data and other items for this section from many sources. Some I found on the internet, some from talking with fellow hoopers, and some hoop netting for lobsters with fellow hoopers that are alot more experienced than myself. Being so, I don't guarantee any methods or suggestions represented here with work for you 100% of the time, or should be used by you at all. As with anything you read in the internet, you need to consider what you read and decide for yourself if you should apply it to your particular situation or not.