Hunting Lobsters and Sea-Turtle Riding

Hunting Lobsters

Hunting lobsters provides exciting underwater adventure. From Long Island, north through New England waters, the clawed “Maine” lobsters are found. However, their capture is closely regulated by law, and besides limitations on the minimum size that may be taken, most states require that they must be taken only in approved lobster traps or by hand; no weapons may be used. The fast-acting, powerful claws of the lobster make its capture somewhat difficult. More experienced divers approach a lobster from the front. The lobster’s characteristic defense pose is to stand on its tail waving both claws above its head. The object is to catch both claws before the creature has a chance to bite. The more timid lobster hunter can approach from the rear, and try to keep his hands out of the crustacean’s claws.

The lobster’s claws seem to detach from its body almost at will, and it readily sacrifices one claw to obtain a punishing grip with the other, which makes it somewhat of a problem to catch it among rocks or crevices where it often lies with only its claws showing.

Only the Maine lobsters have claws. The lobsters found in other and warmer waters are clawless, but protected with sharp spines pointing forward. Projecting feelers act like antennae, to detect any sign of danger, and the response is usually extremely fast-a quick retreat to a crevice or under a rock. Dislodging the lobster is difficult, since its spines give it a firm hold, and it may actually be pulled apart before its hold on the rocks can be broken. A nocturnal eater, the lobster is sometimes hunted under water at night with a waterproof light. In the open, it may be approached more easily, and while hunting its own food, may be somewhat less alert to a diver’s presence.

The Game Fish

In almost every section along the coasts of the United States the divers can find fish that are considered good game. In the northern section of the West Coast, the ling cod, which often reaches almost 40 pounds, and salmon are the prime quarry. Farther south along the California Coast, many undersea hunters go after the white sea bass which travel in schools and reach about 60 pounds; these fish range from a few feet below the surface to about 100 feet down.

In the Gulf of Mexico are found many great barracuda, Warsaw, cobia, and the jew fish or black sea bass which reaches some 600 pounds. The Florida Keys abound in game fish. On the East Coast, the sea bass, blackfish, mackerel and swordfish are desirable game. In all waters where they are found, the different varieties of sharks offer exciting hunting.

Sea-Turtle “Riding”

The giant sea turtle of tropical waters is another game that is caught by hand. Underwater, it can easily outswim any diver. The way to capture it is to come upon it when it is sleeping on the bottom; climb on its back, and “ride” it into shore or shallow water where it can be flipped over on its back; a position in which it is helpless. Turtles weighing several hundred pounds have been taken in this manner. Generally the turtle is clumsy and its bulk can be handled by a fairly strong diver. The danger, however, is from its powerful beak which can deliver an extremely damaging bite.

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