[thumper]

How to use a snare for lobster: Take a 4 to 5 ‘ very skinny stick. Just a little sturdier than a willow whip. Wrap light, flexible wire - but still stiff enough to hold a shape - tightly, and well attached around one end, forming a 4” round ‘slip loop’ extending perpendicular from the stick. - like a garden hoe. You may wish to attach a leash handle to the other end, to let the snare trail behind you when snorkelling, or to not lose your grip when a larger, snared lobster takes off on you!
Lobsters like to back into their holes, with only their very long antenna sticking out into open water, ready to zip further back if threatened. You MUST be right in the water to catch them, grabbing them by the tips of their antenna will only break them off. Spiny lobsters have no claws, but are covered in sharp spines - if you grab them by their carapace and your grip shifts - you’ll regret it!

Slack tide is best and grass flats with sand patches or edge.

Using mask & snorkel, get right down, level with the lobster lair - often this means lying on the sandy bottom. I float well, so I’d carry rocks in my pockets to help! The lobster will face directly at you. Slowly maneuver the snare loop alongside the lobster, when you think you’re far enough back to be clear of the tail, twist your stick, so that the open loop is directly behind the lobster’s tail. Then move in closer, and the lobster will retreat backwards. When you think its tail has passed through the loop, give the stick a slight tug. The lobster will attempt to swim, flipping/flapping its tail = which will only tighten the snare noose. Let it play out a little, put on your gloves, loosen your noose, slide him out and pop him into your bag (used onion bag).

I’ve caught some that are big enough to tow me through the water - but they were from deeper reefs, where you can’t lie on the coral, and flushing surf can make it difficult. Some pros I met free-dive to 35 ft and stay under for a long time to get the big ones for the restaurants, but that was well beyond my abilities. I mainly hit up the grass flat nurseries - my biggest was about 5 lbs. Octopus can be hard to keep in the noose - but with light wire, it can be done.