Video & Photo Gallery

Fiona was here 2022!

A little bit of info on Fiona

North Rustico harbour came through Fiona pretty much unscathed. Most importantly, we are not aware of anyone being seriously hurt. Much of Off The Hook's shore items were washed away, including all our picnic tables, recycling and garbage bins, signs, a large amount of stored traps, ropes, buoys and the like. Based on the level of muddy walls and flood residue, the shanty had about 3 feet of water in it when the storm surge peaked.

Fishermen using the inner harbour/wharf suffered little serious damage, as the seawall and sheltered channel protected the inner harbour. Those moored closer to the harbour entrance were affected more, with some suffering quite a lot of damage, with buildings destroyed, and boats pushed onto shore. As many of you saw in the news coverage, the dunes in nearby North Rustico Beach Provincial Park suffered massive erosion damage from the surf and storm surge.

This video was taken by Captain Ross as Fiona moved off. He was checking on the condition of the boat, shanty, and associated shore equipment after the height of the storm moved offshore. While not the greatest quality it offers some insight into how Fiona affected the harbour. He is standing on the wharf, in about 1-2ft of water. The boats normally float about 3ft/1m below the top of the wharf!

"Raising the Roof"

Part 2 or our 5-part video series Building a Lobster Trap.

Actual time to complete this part of the build, 10-12 minutes.

In the 2nd part of our series, Captain Ross attaches the slats covering the upper portion of the trap. Space is left for the access door, which will be added after the netting is installed, in part 3. He works to complete 5 or 6 traps at a time, about the same number as would be in "bunch" when the traps are attached to marker buoys, baited and "set", during lobster season.

"Rigging the Trap"

Part 3 of our 5-part video series Building a Lobster Trap.

Rigging the trap is the most time-consuming part of the build. The first entry funnel (hoop) leads to the "Kitchen" where the bait is placed, then a second funnel (middle head) leads the lobsters to the back end of the trap. Once in the back end, there is no escape for a lobster of the legal size (73mm carapace). To reduce the damage that trapped lobsters can cause each other, traps are usually raised and emptied every 24 hours.

"Finishing Touches"

Part 4 of our 5-part video series Building a Lobster Trap.

With most of the work complete, Captain Ross installs the door, door latches, and two escape hatches to allow immature lobsters to escape. This is an integral part of ensuring we maintain a sustainable fishery.

Holes are drilled for ropes (bridles & snoods) which are used to attach individual traps to a longer rope, creating a "bunch". Setting traps (6 plus) in "bunches" is more efficient than setting and retrieving individual traps.

Anchors Aweigh

Part 5 or our 5-part Building a Lobster Trap video series.

Last things to do are weight the trap & install the spindle (bait spike). The weights are precast 22 lb concrete blocks made specifically for our style of trap. Traps are tied onto a single rope in groups ("bunches") of 6 or more, with about 10 fathom (60ft) of rope between each, & marker buoys on each end.

A mechanized pulley (the "hauler") is needed to retrieve the "bunches, with each trap weighing over 100 lbs when wet!

Off The Hook Deep Sea Fishing