Bug time be careful...

[DanaPT]

Originally Posted by Wyota

I went out of dana point and it was empty except some idiots dropping hoops in the center of the channel instead of keeping to the sides. Went outside the bay on scuba and only start hooping after commercial guys clean out all the legals outside the bay

Got 3 keepers on scuba and whiffed in a few more. Good start to the season

ALso at dana. Very quiet until 12 then the boaters showed. It was rough. seas rolling. surf banging. water had foam and was murky. Never caught so many eels in my life. nasty critters. 3 traps moved into the rocks, 1 stayed behind. First pull at 1225 yielded 2 bugs nada after that.

Fish and game checked in on me after "i almost died" retrieving a net in the rocks. He said he saw my heroic net rescue. He also asked for license and wanted to measure my bugs. He made me throw one back said it was "negligibly not legal". I shined the light between the carapace and gauge and there was no gap or vertical movement. He measured I measured, HIS CONTENTION was the gauge was sliding left to right and shouldn't do that.

Back to the ocean for the next guy's stoke. The Warden didn't give me a ticket. I wasn't quite sure what to make of this. I guess I'm lucky I didn't get shot. So all is good.

[Wyota]

Originally Posted by DanaPT

ALso at dana. Very quiet until 12 then the boaters showed. It was rough. seas rolling. surf banging. water had foam and was murky. Never caught so many eels in my life. nasty critters. 3 traps moved into the rocks, 1 stayed behind. First pull at 1225 yielded 2 bugs nada after that.

Fish and game checked in on me after "i almost died" retrieving a net in the rocks. He said he saw my heroic net rescue. He also asked for license and wanted to measure my bugs. He made me throw one back said it was "negligibly not legal". I shined the light between the carapace and gauge and there was no gap or vertical movement. He measured I measured, HIS CONTENTION was the gauge was sliding left to right and shouldn't do that.

Back to the ocean for the next guy's stoke. The Warden didn't give me a ticket. I wasn't quite sure what to make of this. I guess I'm lucky I didn't get shot. So all is good.

Awesome that you didn't get a ticket. Had a guy with us who has received tickets in the past for "clicker". Basically, the DFG guy would push down real hard on gauge, and if would then crack and squeeze over the carapace, even not moving at all, then it was "illegal" and he had to pay 500 bucks.

[Mahigeer]

I have heard of using a file to make the gage slightly wider than manufacturer.

That way there is no question that the bug is legal.

If you notice the warden will use their own gauge to measure, and not yours.

Even though you bought the gauge pre-made, you are responsible for its accuracy.

Seems like a good warden.

Did you get his name.

[east county dirtbag]

Looks like carrying a micrometer is a good way to protect oneself from government abuse. A ruler does not lie like a government official

[ful-rac]

If your gauge hooks, throw it back. I promise you'll catch another one.

[Saba Slayer]

"If you notice the warden will use their own gauge to measure, and not yours.

Not always true...Here is a photo of a warden using my gauge to measure the evenings catch. Once he saw my gauge he didn’t hesitate to use it.


I have back-up gauges made by Promar in the event some one looses a gauge...but my primary measuring gauge is made by Top-Me in Maine...recently Lobster Port in Oceanside started selling their own knockoff of the Top-Me gauge and it's a really good product. It’s well made of a nice thick stainless stock and has a handle off to one side. I picked up one at my seminar that I did in their shop and I’ll be using it this season.


This is a very true statement and you should all be aware of this..."Even though you bought the gauge pre-made, you are responsible for its accuracy."

[alanw]

Am I the only one that doesn't eat those trash eating water insects?

[DanaPT]

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

I have heard of using a file to make the gage slightly wider than manufacturer.

That way there is no question that the bug is legal.

If you notice the warden will use their own gauge to measure, and not yours.

Even though you bought the gauge pre-made, you are responsible for its accuracy.

Seems like a good warden.

Did you get his name.

No name. All in all, a very respectful warden. I'm gonna look into a better guage and maybe even file it open. I guess be careful bring your pen and fill out your card (date, location and gear code) before you start hooping.

[Mahigeer]

Sound like the warden that I know. He was at Catalina, but he said he moved to north SD.

Good idea to fill the card at home.

There are lots of wrong information out there. One angler was quoting a warden (perhaps mistakenly) that every time you catch a bug, you got a put a line in the last box.

I had him read the line #6 on the lobster card, where it says "when you finish fishing for the day, then mark the card".


The thicker gauge as shown by Jim sits higher in the eye "V" so it insures a legal catch if it fits the body.

[driftwood]

Ruff conditions out there lately.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/...110-story.html