The laws read that any possession must be a certain size (that includes using as bait), along with being a permit holder. And if they catch you, its on your a#@$ to prove that the lobster was of legal size.

That said, go for it, but get caught and you're most likely screwed.

Lobster violations seem to be treated much harsher than fishing violations. Good luck to you. Like I said, have you called EPO? I've called them in the past and they've been more than helpful.

Sergi di somov(sp?) " the mad Russian who won the derby a few times did use lobster tails for bait. It is mentioned in " Reading the Water". It was stated that he would buy a few bugs, eat some with his wife for dinner, and save the tails for bait. He kept it very quiet.
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Yes they are.
Bugs are worth bank compared to most fish.

10.5"

You can usually scarf up a few (sometimes quite a few) along East Beach when you have a low tide early in the morning of a hurricane swell. Just get there before the gulls see them.

But, but, but-----that's just speculation. You're not a retired clam cop :rotf2:

When you buy the soft shell lobstah's at MB, don't tell them it's for bait. They will look at you like you are crazy. Not that I would know anything about buying human grade food for bait. ;).

It's not much of a moral dilemma. It's either you or the gulls who gets them. Sure the DEM could bust you. If someone calls them, tells them the make and model of your car, where you are parking, and what you are in violation of. If you are still there an hour later when they show, they'll have you cold and it will be front page news.
I don't know why they don't go to Hazard Ave on bluebird weekend days when there's a hurricane swell on and check licenses or otherwise discourage people to fish for their own good. I guess failing to protect is not much of a moral dilemma either.

True, but non-retired "clam cops" can speculate you a hefty fine. I don't think retired "clam cops" can help with that. :hihi:

:rotf2:

Yep, have EPO's checking at Hazard and Beavertail. And DCYF for the brilliant parents that bring their young kids :smash:

Give the Narragansett cops the authority to check fishing licenses and they'd do it with vigor.

Once again,

If you procure the lobsters through legal means, and they are of legal size and sex, you can do whatever you please with them.

As for picking them up off the beach, if they are dead, eating them would be the LAST thing I would ever consider.

Here's a "loophole" for the beachcombing collectors: If you have a rec license for lobster, wait until they are "underwater" and collect them. Since there is no specific ruling relating as to how deep they have to be, underwater means UNDERWATER. Not 20 feet, not 10 feet, not even 3 inches.

Although the poaching aspect sounds more important today, I would logically speculate that the beach-combing restriction would be to prevent people from collecting dead shellfish and eating them.

As for the "posession" argument, you need to specify that it relates to coming FROM and taking FROM the ocean. The blanket rule mangling that has been bantered about here would mean that if you go to a reputable fish monger, buy a couple of lobsters to cook at home, once you leave the store you are in violation unless you have a lobster license, since "posession" was the point. That's absurd, but that's what has been presented here.

Let's all take a moment and check out the Marine Fisheries Abstracts regarding shellfishing. That's where I went right from the beginning.

Like I said legal lobsters obtained legally can be used for bait.......I did NOT say anything about using shorts, v-notched females or eggers for bait.....just legal lobsters obtained legally.......:)

Market Basket- 3.99 a lb. this week, keep receipt.