Best Practices for Lobster Fishing: Maximising Your Catch
- qltech1
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
Introduction
Since the 1800s, when commercial lobster fisheries started along the coast of Maine, new whale rules, price fluctuation, and sustainability requirements are some of the challenges facing lobster fishing as a modern practice in the industry.
These continuous changes—along with growing environmental concerns and the need to maintain healthy marine populations to ensure profitable harvests—have made it important for lobstermen to apply the best practices for lobster fishing.
In this post, we’ll explore different aspects of lobster fishing, best practices for lobstermen, and how to catch more lobsters while ensuring profitability and sustainability.
Lobster Trap Setup and Placement
As a professional lobster fisher, coastal entrepreneur, or hobbyist, trap placement and setup are crucial for ensuring that you position your lobster traps for maximum catch.
From buoy marking (to identify your lobster traps and prevent theft or disputes) to line management and pot weighing (to prevent marine life entanglements and drifting gear), following sustainable lobster fishing strategies for trap setup and placement helps protect both your profits and the environment.
To increase lobster trap efficiency and catch more lobsters, here are a few tips:
Target rocky bottoms, ledges, and crevices where lobsters hide and forage.
Sandy or muddy bottoms near rocky areas are also good hideouts for lobsters.
Local or regional depth guidelines: Although many lobstermen set traps in shallower waters (15–50 feet) in warmer months and deeper waters (50–300 feet) in colder months, these can vary significantly around the world. Always consult local knowledge and conditions to find the right depths for your area.
Check local regulations and fishing reports for insights into historical fishing grounds.
Ask experienced local fishers for the best areas.
Bait Selection and Usage
When it comes to bait selection and usage, it is important to identify the best baits to ensure a maximum catch. Many lobstermen and fisheries use fish scraps, bait blocks, or salted mackerels—though these can be expensive. While effective for catching lobsters, these baits are easily lost in the pot due to other species, strong currents, or environmental factors, which can be costly.
Introducing the Bait Saviour System
Our product, the Bait Saviour System, is a pioneering lobster-fishing bait container designed to:
Protect and preserve lobster bait until the precise time of release.
Reduce bait consumption by up to 50–75% (because less bait is lost to non-target species or dissolved in the water).
Allow you to use more expensive but more effective baits (like salted mackerels) without waste, because the system only releases bait when lobsters are most likely to feed.
This system increases your catch rates, significantly reducing costs and enhancing sustainability over time. By optimising how and when bait is deployed, you can experiment with higher-grade baits and still save money.
Optimising Lobster Catch Efficiency
Of all the best practices for lobster fishing, timing your operation for the best season, time of day, and tidal conditions is crucial.
Best Season for Lobster Fishing
Summer to early autumn is often the peak season, as warmer temperatures bring more lobsters closer to shore.
Late autumn to winter sees lobsters moving to deeper waters as temperatures drop.
Spring is transitional, offering a mix of inshore and offshore opportunities.
Best Time of Day
Traditionally, many fishers believe that night and early morning (dusk to dawn) yield higher lobster activity.
While evening sets and morning hauls can work well, the Bait Saviour System allows you to drop traps any time, then schedule the bait’s release for prime feeding hours. This flexibility means you no longer have to rely solely on night or early morning sets—you can adapt to conditions as needed.
Best Tidal Conditions
Lobsters are often more active during an incoming tide, though local conditions can vary. Some fishers find that checking traps just before high or low tide can be advantageous, as lobsters move around with changing currents.
Ensuring your pots are secure during stronger currents prevents them from drifting.
Soak Times
The time your trap remains in the water (6–24 hours or more) is another key factor. However, the Bait Saviour System lets you soak traps for longer durations while still keeping bait fresh. You can set the bait container to open at a specific time, reducing waste and boosting the effectiveness of each set.
Sustainable and Legal Considerations
Lobster fishing regulations typically include pot limits, minimum landing sizes, and catch guidelines unique to each locality. These measures prevent overfishing and protect breeding populations. Other sustainable methods include:
Escape panels for undersized lobsters
Minimising bycatch
Responsible handling and release of non-target species or undersized lobsters
Following these rules ensures you maintain ethical standards and preserve lobster stocks for future generations.
Conclusion
Catching more lobsters goes beyond trap placement, bait selection, and ideal timing. Employing best practices—such as correct pot setup, strategic soak times, and compliance with sustainable guidelines—ensures that your fishing is both profitable and responsible.
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