Beach Foraging Pole.

[forrestdweller]

I did not hear that.

I bet the Caribbean would be grand for seashells...including, my holy grail

Macrocypraea cervus - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

(I recall my friends disappointment at my monster cowrie; a big Tiger cowrie, just 100mm (4 inches) long...)

not too many seashells along the coast here (=flat and sandy) and i'm not aware of anyone looking for edible ones (meaning if there would be any the locals would get them), only blue crabs -- during mating season they run around on the coastal highway to be collected in bags or squashed by cars... .enjoy while you can (=their habitat being destroyed)!

we do have however fossilized seashells in our river...

 

[forrestdweller]

Oh jeez! No no no! That must be terrible(?!) being "stuck" in the Carribean... How awful!

climate wise i'm not complaining and nobody cares in the countryside that i've a machete on my belt, but moneywise i'm living a hand-to-mouth existence and would have left long time ago if i'd the means or a place to go :-(

 

[Reelsnsteels]

Hey, I really like your thinking outside the box here.


It’s always great to see people experimenting and coming up with DIY solutions for coastal foraging. Combining a foraging tool and a fishing rod into one multi-purpose setup is a cool idea.

I’ve been foraging along my local coastline since I was a kid, using all sorts of homemade and improvised tools to extract lobsters and edible crabs. I don’t want to come across like I’m rubbishing your design—far from it—but I’d love to share a few thoughts that might help take it further.

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of successful foraging happens below the mean low water line, particularly during spring tides. That often means navigating slippery, kelp-covered rocks, which can be seriously treacherous even if you’re nimble. If you plan on exploring those zones, studded boots are a game-changer.

With that in mind, I’d be cautious about the straight spike you’ve added—it feels like an accident waiting to happen, especially if you slip. And from a practical standpoint, the spike might not get as much use as you’d think. Most fish found in rockpools are smaller species like rockling or topknot flatfish, which aren’t really worth targeting for food. You’re far more likely to find sustainable returns focusing on crustaceans like crabs and lobsters.

Also, bamboo is a great natural material, but depending on the diameter, it can be a bit bulky for reaching into tight crevices. Personally, I swear by a paint roller handle as a foraging stick—specifically the long-reach kind used for small rollers. They're cheap, lightweight, and the angled head is ideal for getting into cracks and lifting rocks: You can usually pick them up for a few quid, like this one.

If you want extra reach, it’s easy to add a wooden extension into the hollow handle. Some people prefer curled hooks, which also work well—it really comes down to personal preference.

As a little bonus, I wrap a couple of bits of electrical tape around the stem of my paint roller, exactly 130mm and 87mm apart. It acts as a quick size guide for crabs and lobsters, to make sure they’re legal. Definitely worth checking your local IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority) regulations, as minimum landing sizes vary across the UK.

And just a final note for anyone reading—if you're foraging for lobster or edible crab, please take sparingly. Never take berried (egg-carrying) females or lobsters with a V-notch on the tail, as these are protected for conservation. A legal-sized lobster can be decades old, so it’s worth treating them with respect. I usually just steam them whole—simple and delicious.

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to give me a shout. Always happy to chat about this stuff.

 

[Falstaff]

Spearfishing UK sell this as a crab/lobster hook.... https://www.spearfishing.co.uk/fora...ESW6xr4Kon0sILkhwkr-pSXCg48-y9SBoClq4QAvD_BwE

In light of the fact that this pole was an off the cuff idea on the spur of the moment, and, I happened to be in the hardware shop - I went for the nearest thing I could think of.

I trialled it today, but I couldn't find any lobster to play with. I did however find out that the champagne cork I drilled and used to conceal the spike, does work very well for pinning crabs in rockpools for the kids to catch.

I've yet to encounter lobster so couldn't attest to it's ability atm. Will keep this thread updated on attempts success (or not lol)

I think it was a good idea and congrats on what you came up with. I didn't even know it was possible, until a chance random conversation this week with someone who had his in his van.

 

[KerniwCrasher]

Hey, I really like your thinking outside the box here.


It’s always great to see people experimenting and coming up with DIY solutions for coastal foraging. Combining a foraging tool and a fishing rod into one multi-purpose setup is a cool idea.

I’ve been foraging along my local coastline since I was a kid, using all sorts of homemade and improvised tools to extract lobsters and edible crabs. I don’t want to come across like I’m rubbishing your design—far from it—but I’d love to share a few thoughts that might help take it further.

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of successful foraging happens below the mean low water line, particularly during spring tides. That often means navigating slippery, kelp-covered rocks, which can be seriously treacherous even if you’re nimble. If you plan on exploring those zones, studded boots are a game-changer.

With that in mind, I’d be cautious about the straight spike you’ve added—it feels like an accident waiting to happen, especially if you slip. And from a practical standpoint, the spike might not get as much use as you’d think. Most fish found in rockpools are smaller species like rockling or topknot flatfish, which aren’t really worth targeting for food. You’re far more likely to find sustainable returns focusing on crustaceans like crabs and lobsters.

Also, bamboo is a great natural material, but depending on the diameter, it can be a bit bulky for reaching into tight crevices. Personally, I swear by a paint roller handle as a foraging stick—specifically the long-reach kind used for small rollers. They're cheap, lightweight, and the angled head is ideal for getting into cracks and lifting rocks: You can usually pick them up for a few quid, like this one.

If you want extra reach, it’s easy to add a wooden extension into the hollow handle. Some people prefer curled hooks, which also work well—it really comes down to personal preference.

As a little bonus, I wrap a couple of bits of electrical tape around the stem of my paint roller, exactly 130mm and 87mm apart. It acts as a quick size guide for crabs and lobsters, to make sure they’re legal. Definitely worth checking your local IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority) regulations, as minimum landing sizes vary across the UK.

And just a final note for anyone reading—if you're foraging for lobster or edible crab, please take sparingly. Never take berried (egg-carrying) females or lobsters with a V-notch on the tail, as these are protected for conservation. A legal-sized lobster can be decades old, so it’s worth treating them with respect. I usually just steam them whole—simple and delicious.

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to give me a shout. Always happy to chat about this stuff.

Thanks for the insight.!

I have started to carry my multi-tool secateurs on my belt with me on beach foraging trips out, so that if I find any berried lobsters I can quickly stick a couple of V-notches into their tail.

I measured the back of my hand and found that it's actually just over the minimum legal limit for the taking lobster. I like the idea of the tape thing for sizing, however I'm sure saltwater may very well ruin that, so I'm going to get the sharpie out and mark off legal minimums on it.

In regards to the straight spike - I've actually drilled a champagne cork (from the multitude of saves ones I have in storage) and I've added that over the spike as a cover. It works quite nicely providing a former "plant" in the couple of sessions I've been out on.

The bamboo pole itself is no more than about 1¼" in diameter, how successful it'll be remains to be seen as I'm pretty green to real beach foraging atm. I feel it's going to be a steep but very enjoyable learning curve!

If I have any questions I shall most definitely flag you down!

 

[Reelsnsteels]

Just to clarify something I touched on in my previous post: the tape or markings I use are really just a visual reference, so I can quickly decide if something’s obviously over or under. But for anything borderline, it’s essential to use a proper lobster/crab gauge.

These work much better than a standard tape measure—more like a micrometer in function—and ensure an accurate reading. There’s zero tolerance on undersize crustacea, even if it’s only a fraction of a millimetre, so the gauge really is another essential bit of kit.

 

[Reelsnsteels]

Following on from that—I wanted to quickly come back to your point about using secateurs to V-notch berried lobsters.

I know it’s coming from a good place, and it’s great to see you thinking about sustainability and doing things the right way. That said, I’d advise against using anything other than the proper tool for the job.

V-notching is part of an official conservation tagging program used by fisheries authorities (like your local IFCA), and it’s intended to mark breeding female lobsters so they’re protected in future. While there’s no specific law that says a recreational forager can’t do it, there are strong reasons to avoid doing so unless you’re properly trained or experienced, using the right tool, and ideally involved in a recognised scheme.

Lobster shell is hard—it’s more of a clip than a cut. Using secateurs or any kind of substitute tool can easily cause injury. Lobsters don’t always stay still—you’ll find that out soon enough—so it’s very easy to make a mistake.

A clean clip from a proper V-notch tool does minimal damage and leaves a consistent, recognised mark. Using makeshift tools like secateurs risks mutilating the tail, which isn’t just painful (and yes, lobsters do feel pain), but can actually be misinterpreted by enforcement officers as you having tried to remove or falsify a notch. That can land you in serious trouble, even if your intention was conservation.

One clip in the right place is far better than two cuts in the wrong one. And if you're at all unsure, the best course of action is to return any berried females back to the sea exactly as you found them. That in itself is a valuable contribution to sustaining the local stock.

I genuinely think it’s brilliant that you're taking the time to learn and get stuck in with beach foraging. Everyone starts somewhere—there’s a bit to pick up—but that’s part of the fun. If you’ve got any questions or there’s anything you’re not sure about, please contact your local IFCA.