The California Spiny Lobster season is upon us and seafood lovers are ready to get their share. Lobster season kicks off on October 2 at 6:00 pm and will continue through March 16, 2022. California’s coastal waters are home to a great number of invertebrates, the most famous one being California Spiny Lobsters. The 2020 – 2021 lobster season was a record-breaking year for lobster report card sales, and this year seems promising as well. In this blog, we’ll cover important things you need to know about lobster fishing and how scuba diving can ease the fishing process.
Lobster Fishing Regulations
Season opening weekend is one of the busiest times on the waters as scuba divers and hoop netters flock to their preferred lobster spots in search of the famous California Spiny Lobster. Before heading out to the water, you have to be sure you know all of the regulations that are in place. Below we’ll cover the basic regulations you need to know before getting started.
Lobster Season Time Span
Recreational lobster fishing for 2021 starts on October 2 at 6:00 am. Keep note that it’s prohibited to take a lobster prior to this time. This includes baiting your hoop net and grabbing them with your hands. The season will continue until March 16, 2022.
Lobster Report Card
A lobster report card is required for all people participating in this recreational activity. Individuals of the age of 16 or more must have a valid sport fishing license along with an ocean enhancement stamp. Both divers and hoop netters must fill out the following prior to fishing:
- The date
- Your location
- Gear type
When fishing, if you change locations or great type, you must immediately record the number of lobsters kept from that location. Lobster Report Cards must be submitted/returned to the CDFW at the end of each season, by April 30th. This remains true for those that didn’t use their card or didn’t catch any lobsters as well.
Things You Need To Know
As previously mentioned, it is important that you know the regulations and rules before getting started. Things you need to know include:
- Recreational Bag Limit: Seven lobsters per day. Keep note that they can only be captured by hand or hoop net.
- Minimum size: The minimum size for lobsters is 3.25 inches. Measure in a straight line on the middle of the back from the end of the eye socket to the end of the carapace. Everyone has to have a measuring tool capable of accurately measuring the legal length.
- Equipment: All lobsters may only be taken by hoop net or hand. No more than five hoop nets can be possessed by a single person. No more than ten hoop nets may be included aboard a vessel, regardless of how many people are aboard.
- Permit Requirements – A California Department of Fish and Wildlife Spiny Lobster Report Card along with a California Recreational Fishing License is required.
Scuba Diving For Lobsters in San Diego
While there are several ways to catch lobsters, scuba diving is the most efficient way to do it. At Trident Divers, we’ve been scuba diving the San Diego Waters for years and know all of the hotspots. If you’re looking for a productive lobster fishing experience, we can help guide you in your search. Apart from showing you the best spots, we’ll provide you with a safe scuba diving experience like no other. We’ll also know all of the requirements and regulations, so we can help you make sure you’re fishing for lobsters the correct way. Lobster season is here, and it’s time to catch some California Spiny Lobster! To get started, give Trident Divers a call at (619) 415-9426 or click here to book a scuba diving session with us!
