Removing Mussels From Rocks With an Abalone Iron

May 12, 2011

Question: For years I have used an abalone iron for removing mussels from the rocks but was just told that I can’t use any tools. Is this true? How can mussels be removed from the rocks without an ab iron or something similar? Please clarify what tools, if any, can be used to take mussels from ocean rocks. (Bill T.), Lafayette)

Answer: You may take mussels only by hand without the aid of any tools (CCR, Title 14, section 29.10). Taking mussels by hand one at a time is far less harmful to a mussel bed than prying them off with ab irons, crowbars, screwdrivers, hoes or hammers. When people use tools they have a tendency to pry off large chunks of the mussel clusters and then pick out the desirable ones to eat, wasting the rest. Many people use a tough pair of garden gloves to pry them off. Give those a try.

Bullshit. I've seen guys kick and stomp on mussel beds trying to free mussels from the rock. This rule is stupid.

Bullshit. I've seen guys kick and stomp on mussel beds trying to free mussels from the rock. This rule is stupid.

Agree completely. 

On a side note.  When I was a kid in SoCal ('50s and '60s)we used to go fishing off the rocks in Laguna.  I say off the rocks but it was mostly on the mussels attached to the rocks because they covered them.  If we were perch fishing we didn't buy bait, just used mussels. Some were huge.  If we were going after opal eye we would use canned peas.  If we were going to go after bass or halibut we would buy squid or anchovies at Brasil's on PCH in the heart of Laguna.  Bet you don't see any old fishing stores there anymore. The tide pools were full of urchins and you would often see octopus in them.  Whitey didn't know that  was tasty until the Asians started coming in and now it's mostly gone.

Bullshit. I've seen guys kick and stomp on mussel beds trying to free mussels from the rock. This rule is stupid.

That's illegal too. "By hand" doesn't include stomping. 
I've seen guys using shovels to scrape up an entire patch, then sorting out the ones they want. Hence no tools.

Bullshit. I've seen guys kick and stomp on mussel beds trying to free mussels from the rock. This rule is stupid.

That's illegal too. "By hand" doesn't include stomping. 
I've seen guys using shovels to scrape up an entire patch, then sorting out the ones they want. Hence no tools.

Waste of fish is already illegal too.

I have been gathering mussels for years. I would recommend getting a good pair of gloves. What you will find is, if you are working a good bed on the rocks, the first couple will be hard to get off, but once you make an opening, it's really pretty easy work. I steam them up, and smoke them, nothing better!

I have been gathering mussels for years. I would recommend getting a good pair of gloves. What you will find is, if you are working a good bed on the rocks, the first couple will be hard to get off, but once you make an opening, it's really pretty easy work. I steam them up, and smoke them, nothing better!

This is the right way to do it!