Spiny Lobster Season

September 9, 2021

Question: What are the dates of the upcoming recreational spiny lobster season? Can I purchase a lobster report card before the season starts?

A: Divers and hoop netters can now begin preparing for the 2021-22 recreational spiny lobster season by purchasing Spiny Lobster Report Cards. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) requires all lobster divers and hoop netters to record their catches on a Spiny Lobster Report Card. The cards can be purchased online for $10.54 at wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales. Spiny Lobster Report Cards are valid for the length of the recreational spiny lobster season, which runs from Oct. 2, 2021 through March 16, 2022. A $21.60 non-return fee will be charged when purchasing a Spiny Lobster Report Card if the previous year’s report card was not returned or reported online by the April 30, 2022 deadline. To avoid the fee, you may skip one lobster fishing season. After skipping one season, you can purchase a Spiny Lobster Report Card the following season at no extra cost. In addition to the Spiny Lobster Report Card, all divers and hoop netters 16 years of age or older must also purchase a California Sport Fishing License with a Sport Ocean Enhancement Validation, except for persons hoop netting from a public pier.

Thanks for the helpful info, looking to head down sometime for yellowtail and some lobster in the next month!

good to know, thanks for breaking that down.  Funny, I lived in SD for 15 years, and now (living in NorCal) getting ready for my first spiny lobster season.

question, does it make sense to get out there for the midnight opener?  Also, I've heard that you're more likely to have success when it's dark - any truth to that?

Thanks,
Brian.

good to know, thanks for breaking that down.  Funny, I lived in SD for 15 years, and now (living in NorCal) getting ready for my first spiny lobster season.

question, does it make sense to get out there for the midnight opener?  Also, I've heard that you're more likely to have success when it's dark - any truth to that?

Thanks,
Brian.

its an overnight game. hooping during the day doesn't really work. best of luck and be very safe.

Thanks!

also, sounds like 'hoops' are necessary, and crab traps not ok, is that right?

thanks again,
Brian.

good to know, thanks for breaking that down.  Funny, I lived in SD for 15 years, and now (living in NorCal) getting ready for my first spiny lobster season.

question, does it make sense to get out there for the midnight opener?  Also, I've heard that you're more likely to have success when it's dark - any truth to that?

Thanks,
Brian.

I typically set my hoop nets 30 minutes before sunset time and start pulling 30-45 minutes after sunset.  After my first pull, I relocate them to near where I caught keepers.  Typically you get more lobsters at the beginning of the season.  The last season was very slow and I didn't catch many but the year before, my wife and I caught 89 lobsters total.

Paul

Paul

good to know, thanks for breaking that down.  Funny, I lived in SD for 15 years, and now (living in NorCal) getting ready for my first spiny lobster season.

question, does it make sense to get out there for the midnight opener?  Also, I've heard that you're more likely to have success when it's dark - any truth to that?

Thanks,
Brian.

I typically set my hoop nets 30 minutes before sunset time and start pulling 30-45 minutes after sunset.  After my first pull, I relocate them to near where I caught keepers.  Typically you get more lobsters at the beginning of the season.  The last season was very slow and I didn't catch many but the year before, my wife and I caught 89 lobsters total.

Paul

Paul

good info, you go on your Kayak or of the piers or jetties?
I'm thinking go with the kayaks - and debating whether or not to go at Midnight for the opener, or a more reasonable sunset the next day. - thanks

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good info, you go on your Kayak or of the piers or jetties?
I'm thinking go with the kayaks - and debating whether or not to go at Midnight for the opener, or a more reasonable sunset the next day. - thanks
[/quote]

My wife and I go on our tandem kayak with 5 hoop nets.
The opening time is no longer midnight.  They changed to 6 AM.
"Open season: From 6:00 a.m. on the Saturday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after the 15th of March."

I have some old videos of our trips:

There is no longer a midnight opener.  6:00 am Saturday .

Newbie question: what kind of bottom are you looking for? Is it near structure or sandy or?

Newbie question: what kind of bottom are you looking for? Is it near structure or sandy or?

I look for near structure.

Paul

Great Lobster Hoop Netting Instructional Videos and book:

Promar used have great instructional videos but I can't locate them anymore.

Great Lobster Hoop Netting Instructional Videos and book:

Promar used have great instructional videos but I can't locate them anymore.

Sick, thanks for sharing