Hooping it Up Again!!

I headed to San Diego around noon, stopping at Hogan's Tackle for a dozen mackerel ($13) and met Jason at Fisherman's Landing at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. We loaded my hoops and gear in his Trophy, drove to Shelter Island and launched the boat. A quick run to the bait receiver for sardines ($35 for a scoop - ouch) then we tied up the boat next to the Excel. We set out all the hoops then Jason went back to work.

I cut up the sardines and mackerel, mixed them together and Jake (Jason's Nephew) and I stuffed them in the bait cages in the bottom of the hoops. We loaded the hoops in the boat and when Jason got off work, we drove out in the harbor and dropped our nets.

The weather was much colder than last week and windy as well. It had rained on Monday and we experienced a few sprinkles this evening too. Rick Maxa and Pete Gray had hooped the bay Tuesday night and said they had limits by 9 pm. They had a couple 6 pounders too. We were very optimistic!

The sun finally set and it was dark enough by 6:30 to make a pull. Jake went first and got us started with two, one was about 2 pounds. We waited another 30 minutes and I made the next pull and got a couple legals as well. We were really excited now. We drove back over to the Excel and picked up Justin.

The next pull Justin drove while Jason pulled the nets. He added more to our catch.  At this point, we were getting legal sized lobsters on each pull. We continued fishing until midnight with each of us making two pulls a piece and by evenings end, we had 17 lobsters and nice sized ones too.

We drove over to the Excel and tied up the boat to unload gear and lobsters. We split up the lobsters - Justin said he just wanted 3 for his family so Jason and I kept 5 each and Jake kept 4. Justin, Jason and Jake decided to stay on the boat. Jason and Jake helped load my gear in a cart and put it in my car. I left and got home around 2:30 am but was too excited to sleep until 3:30.

Next day, after cleaning the hoops, I dispatched the lobsters. They were so big, I had to have Mike hold the lobster tails while I twisted off their heads. I cleaned the lobsters, chopped up the heads and legs and cooked them down for a bisque.

Friday night Michelle joined us for Lobster Bisque, Lobster Tails with drawn butter, baked stuffed potatoes and broccoli. Drunken berries for dessert!  What a feast and I had the pleasure of catching the lobsters too.