Catching bugs with railroad spikes

[BristolSailor]

Catching bugs (lobsters) with railroad spikes

Last month I got a railroad spike jammed in my rudder leaving Jewell Island, Maine. The spike was attached to the buoy line for a lobster pot.

This was a first for me. I've caught two other pots in the last ten years -- the buoy weights were lead. Is there a legitimate reason to use a spike to catch lobsters? I'm relieved I didn't wrap this around my prop.

Many thanks to the people who dinghied out to check on us.

Tom G
Bristol 35.5

 

[Tim R.]

I have heard that this is a way to deter boats from hitting the pot buoys. I think "Maine Sail" mentioned this.

Of course doing this could also contribute to the buoy being submerged at peak current.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

While Fishing reefs, a friend and Ihave set up something similar. We would get over the reed according to our fish finder and drop the buoy and window sash(? weight for old windows?) to mark the reef and then we could effectively anchor in front of the reef and position ourselves right over it. It doesn't actually sound like what is going on up there though, sounds more like what Tim R. or Maine Sail say. If it's really bothering you, you could contact your state agency in charge of the marine fishery up there and ask them what the deal is.

**Edit** - I forgot to mention we didn't leave them behind...