Lobster Tickling

[W]

Any of you bros ever had any luck tickling?

I'm planning a free dive trip in two weeks and would love to know some of the gear (simple and effective) that I should use and any techniques/tips.

TIA

Anyone? Bros from the Keys? nick? Ejazzle?

[kornhouse]

A hookah rig setup is really nice for shallow water lobstering but since you said free dive make sure you can stay down for at least a minute or else it will be quite frustrating going back up and down. The best thing to remember is to let the lobster's curiosity be its downfall so if it shoots back into the hole then just wait it out 'til he peeks his antennae out and then lightly graze the antennae with your tickler stick until the tail is out of the hole and then put your net behind the tail and scare it because they always shoot backwards. Another trick is to take two pieces of shell or old coral and clink them together or against something metal and the noise attracts them (same for larger fish).

Has anyone else closed their eyes at night after a long day of lobstering from dawn 'til dusk and just seen blackness and then massive lobsters poking out of nowhere?

[DMoneyy]

[W]

I've been practicing holding my breath.
What is the 'hookah rig' you're referring to? Noose?

Also, what's the escape plan when something goes bad underwater?

EDIT: Googled the hookah rig. All SCBA/ 3rd lungs are prohibited for fishing where I'm going. Pretty cool device though.

[*Nate]

I always used a snare and a net, the snare works well if you can work it right. I've always caught lobster scuba diving though so I've had a little more time under the water to work with the bugs. I'm going down to the keys for mini season, stoked on that!

[EJazzle]

Where are you going? Ill be down in teh keyz for mini.

Tickling them then grabbing the lobster by hand is my favorite way to do it. Freediving though. Its definitely the most challenging and it gives the lobster a little more of a chance. Using a tickle stick then netting them is usually how people do it. My second favorite way is to just use a simple snare.. All you have to do is get it around the lobsters abdomen (you put the snare over the tail and slide it up toward the head) then pull it tightly and laugh at the funny sound they make Thats my other favorite part about lobstering, that little sound.



kornhouse, haha always, it happened to me every night in the exumas except with hogs and grouper.

W, just make sure there is someone in the water withing site (underwater) at all times. I never dive alone, I dont care where I am. I have had 3 buddies pass out from a shallow water blackouts. But if something bad does happen, stay calm and asses the situation. The most important part of holding your breath is keeping relaxed and keeping you heart rate down.

[W]

Ejazzle- I'll be in Turks and Caicos. Planning to free dive the reefs from a kayak. Have never done this and appreciate all your responses. I think I'll use the noose method. It seems the easiest and the most efficient.

Any other tips would be appreciated. TIA

[*Nate]

EJazzle, No clue yet. I've heard about a promising spot near Cudjoe Key.