June Casagrande Lobster fishers gave mixed reviews...

June Casagrande

Lobster fishers gave mixed reviews to the opening day of lobster

season on Wednesday.

Linda Southern said the day’s haul was a little lighter than

expected, about 400 or 500 pounds instead of the fishing company’s

hoped-for 600 to 800. The family-owned business’ boat “Shellfish”

fishes the waters between Laguna Beach and Huntington beach for the

California spiny lobster. Fishing season for the clawless crustacean

opened today and continues through March 17.

But not far away, at Dana Point, the fishing was good, said Vi

Pearson of Pearson’s landing. The family’s two boats brought in about

300 pounds of the lobsters, which they sell to local restaurants and

other outlets for $11.99 a pound.

“It’s been a good opener for us,” Pearson said. “It always varies

so much, but at the moment things are looking pretty good.”

A number of factors can affect fishing for the local lobsters.

Colder water tends to attract more of the lobsters to local fishing

grounds, as do swells.

But regardless of the fishing conditions, the season opener is

always good news for lobster lovers and the places that cater to

them, such as the Bluewater Grill.

“Our customers are always very excited at the start of lobster

season,” said Chris Rock, manager of the Bluewater Grill. “They call

and remind us it’s coming.”

The restaurant prepares the lobsters “Puerto Nuevo” style, which

means cut in half and served in garlic butter. Because the lobsters

have no claws, Rock said that they’re easier to eat than other

lobsters and just delicious. The restaurant also sells the lobsters

in its market.

“The meat is really sweet and delicate. They’re excellent,” he

said.