The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-01
HOW LoBsTeRs ARE CAUGHT.
Experience of a Novice on a Trip with Old
Fishermen.


Very few people, comparatively
speaking, have ever seen live lobster,
much less caught one, SAYS the Boston
Transcript. Yet the evolution of the
lobster from a free and independent
crustacean, earning an honest living
by the sweat of his brow, at the bot
tom of the sea, to a rare delicacy for
the table. is worthy of more attention
than most persons bestow upon it. The
subject. e., the lobster-must be ap-
preached very carefully, however, for
tpugnaciOusly resents any attempt at
familiarity.
LObsters have queer tastes. They
are extremely fond of stale fish, and
are lured to their destruction with bait
especially intended to cater to their de-
praved appetites. The fish most COM
monty used for bait is the sculpin,
opened lengthwise and fastened secure
ly to the net, or trap, as it is called.
This net is shallow, with substantial
iron rim, about three feet in diameter,
and is made of small. stout ropes. A
strong drop-rope is attached for lower
ing and hauling up the traps"
wooded float being used to wind it on,
which serves as an Indicator of the
But how to catch Holsters is one
thing, and where to catch them is
quite another affair. They are found
in great abundance along the New
England coast, but the man who
searches for them south of New jersey
is more than likely to search in vain,
and even in New England waters they
show decided preferences for some l0-
calities. As Il general rule they fire.
quent rocky bottoms, coming in shore
from deep water in the spring and re-
manning till fall. Their fare consists
chiefly of CLAIMS, musSels. and mollusks,
which they find most numerous in such
localities, and although the average
lobster rarely attains an average OF
more than three to four pounds on this
diet, several energetic specimens have
tipped the scales at five times as many
pounds. and one in the museum at
Salem, Mass, is credited with being a
thirty-nine pOunder. But even the
ordinary lobster does not grow on
every rock; and the summer tourist
whose mouth waters for some caught
and boiled by himself will be more
lucky should he succeed in capturing
anything bigger than a crab if he does
not have pilot with him who knows
their haunts.
The old salt who knows just where
to look for '.lobs' will take him on q
moonlight night, to some small, rocky
island in the bay. Half dozen "traps."
a wash-boiler, and big basket will be
necessary, and enough wood to make
Il rousing fire. The nets will have
been baited before starting, and as
soon as the lobster grounds are reached
they can be dropped to the bottom,
their position being shown at regular
distances by wooden floats which rest
upon top of the water. Effecting q
landing in some sheltered nook, and
filling the boiler with sea water, the
fishermen next proceed to build their
fire in some crevice of the rocks which
affords Il secure rest for the boiler.
They may then look about for a few
moments and give themselves up to
the calm enjoyment and rest which
their long pull over the water impels
them to take.
At last the boat is showed off with
the basket on board. The old fisher
man makes the first haul, giving his
pupil Instructions as he does so. The
net comes rapidly to the top, and as
the water drips through it three fine,
large, dark-green sprawlers cling to
the strands with the tenacity of drown
ing men clutching straws. He takes
them off with great care, grasping
them firmly just back of the large
claws, whose grip he would not care
to feel. Then he takes the oars, chan
yes places with the novice, and ON they
70 to the next one. Up comes the net
There are two on it. Look outi That
big fellow will get away" Splash!
Over he goesi .'Well, never mind.
There is one left. Get hold of him
light Flop he goes into the basket.
Over with the trap again, and off for
the next net. Two more are safely
landed. When the circuit is completed
there are fifteen clawing, fighting lobs-
ters in the basket
The fishers land and put more wood
on the fire, then row out again. This
time they get an even dozen. In the
whole lot there are forty squirming,
crawling. angry Holsters. Off comes
the cover of the boiler and in they go.
When it is removed again the beautiful
green of their shells has given place to
a bright red, and they need only to be
cracked open, cooled and eaten. Bring
on the crackers and cheese stored away
in the lunch-basket; pour out glass
of sparkling spring water; take seat
beside the old fisherman on the rocks;
eat, drink, and be merry, while the old
waves dance below you in the moon
light, for never did epicure feast with
| greater Zest.