Lobster tails for bait??

[likwid]

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.

[JohnnyD]

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.

[Nebe]

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.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[likwid]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Lobster violations seem to be treated much harsher than fishing violations.

Yes they are.
Bugs are worth bank compared to most fish.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Also, the legal possession size for scup is a certain number of inces-9
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

10.5"

[Joe]

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.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by likwid

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.

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

[Green Light]

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. .

[Joe]

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.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Mike P

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

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

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

I watched a seagull on Narragansett Town Beach pick up a surf clam under the legal limit and carry it above the high tide line. I did'nt think they were that smart. Good thing he did'nt get caught.

Originally Posted by Joe

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.

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

[Joe]

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

[FishermanTim]

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.

[robc22]

Originally Posted by robc22

I would like to know the MA reg. that prevents you from using legal/ legally caught lobsters for bait???? A CMR # would do.......

Originally Posted by FISHING_FOOL

Thank you.

I have yet to be able to find a law that makes it not okay.

Originally Posted by Nebe

your not allowed to take lobsters with out a license, so unless you have a reciept from a fish market, your breaking the law- if you find and use a baby lobster, or a lobster with a notch cut out of his tail, your really breaking the law.. But if you have lobstering permit, then you can use one for bait as long as its legal size to keep

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.......

[Fly Rod]

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