Category Archives: Ocean

Equipment we used Knitting Needle The knitting needle was an important tool in every lobsterman’s household. The needle was about a foot long, made of wood or metal (my father’s was brass) and used to knit heads, or nets for lobster … Continue reading →

Equipment we used: Lobster Gauge (Measure): A lobster a gauge is a small brass device used to measure the length of the lobster’s carapace—from the eye socket to the beginning of the tail. The device resembles measuring calipers, except that … Continue reading →

Equipment we used: Wooden Cradles: In the off-season, boats were hauled from the water and stored on wooden cradles. Come spring, boats in their cradles were hauled onto the shore, usually by Jack Conroy’s tow truck, and floated out of … Continue reading →

Equipment we used Bait In early days lobster fishermen would hand-line sculpin or mackerel to use for bait. Later a bait man, Mr. McCabe, brought filleted redfish from Portland to our river. He had a special dump truck fitted with … Continue reading →

Equipment we used: Hauling Winches: Once boats had engines, winches were used to haul traps. A belt attached to the engine’s shaft pulley operated the winch. It was not unusual for rope to get caught in the winch and the … Continue reading →

Equipment we used: Bobbers: Initially, bobbers were sealed glass bottles, usually beer or soda bottles, tied onto one-fathom lengths of rope fastened to the main line. Cork, such as used on nets, was also used. Styrofoam floats have replaced these … Continue reading →