The Lobster Fishery of Maine | Page 7

by means of small leather
strips, and is fastened by a single wooden button in the center, or by
two buttons, one at each end. The openings into the pot . . . are two in

number, one at each end, are generally knit of coarse twine and have a
mesh between three-fourths of an inch and 1 inch square. They are
funnel-shaped, with one side shorter than the other, and at the larger
end have the same diameter as the framework. The smaller and inner
end measures about 6 inches in diameter and is held open by means of
a wire ring or wooden hoop. The funnels are fastened by the larger ends
to the end frames of the pot, with the shorter side uppermost, so that
when they are in place they lead obliquely upward into the pot instead
of horizontally. The inner ends are secured in position by one or two
cords extending to the center frame. The funnels are about 11 or 12
inches deep, and therefore extend about halfway to the center of the pot.
They taper rapidly and form a strongly inclined plane, up which the
lobsters must climb in their search for the bait. A two-strand manila
twine is most commonly used for the funnels. Cotton is also used, but
is more expensive and less durable.
[Illustration: Lobster pots]
A change in the shape of the funnel was first made at Matinicus shortly
before 1890. This has been called the "patent head." Large lobsters are
said to always go to the top and small ones to the bottom of the pots.
By going to the top in the "old-head" pot large lobsters made their
escape through the hole, but in the pots with "patent heads" instead of
finding their way through the hole the big lobsters slide over it. The
"patent head" has not been used to any extent, however. The sketch
shown on the following page gives a good idea of the difference in
shape.
[Illustration: Old style of head (in general use) and "patent" head]
In the center of the ordinary pot is a sort of spearhead of wood or iron
from 8 to 12 inches long. This has one large barb and is set upright in
the middle of the center frame. The bait is placed on this spearhead.
Several large stones or bricks are lashed to the bottom of the pot, on the
inside, in order to furnish weight enough to hold the pot at the bottom.
As it was noticed that a lobster generally crawled over a pot before
entering by the end, some pots of a square form and with the opening at

the top were constructed, but they were not successful.
Another variation had a length of 7-1/2 feet and five supporting frames
inside instead of three, as in the old pot. These were set at equal
distances apart, and had two more funnels than the other, one funnel
being attached to each of the frames except the center one, and all
pointing inward. In order to reach the bait the lobster had to pass
through two funnels, and its chances of escape were thereby lessened.
This style is rarely seen now.
Still another variety in vogue for a short time had a trapdoor, on which
the lobster had to climb in order to reach the bait; the door then gave
way and precipitated the lobster into a secure inclosure.
A few pots are made with a funnel of laths in place of the net funnels.
They are the same as the ordinary pot in every other particular.
The ordinary pots cost about $1 to construct.
During certain seasons the pots are badly eaten by "worms," the
shipworm (Teredo) or one of the species of small boring crustaceans.
Pots are also frequently lost during stormy weather, and the fishermen
therefore have a reserve stock on hand in order to replace those lost or
temporarily disabled.

METHODS OF FISHING.
In fishing the traps are either set on single warps or on trawls of 8 to 40
and 50 pots. At first all pots were set singly. The line by which they
were lowered and hauled up, and which also served as a buoy line, was
fastened to one of the end frames of the bottom or sill, as it is called, at
the intersection of the hoop. The buoys generally consist of a tapering
piece of cedar or spruce, wedge-shaped, or nearly spindle shaped, and
about 18 inches long. They are usually painted in distinctive colors, so
that each fisherman may easily recognize his own. Small kegs are also
used as buoys.

In the warm season the pots are frequently set on trawls or "ground
lines," as lobsters are quite thick then on the rocky bottom near shore.
If