Posted by Eric S on May 28, 2004 at 19:36:35:
In Reply to: The way to pry abalone posted by Dave on May 28, 2004 at 18:34:00:
Yes that is correct.
Many people make the mistake of shoving the iron into the foot of the ab right at the base of the shell instead of taking their time and working the iron in between the ROCK and the FOOT thus "whacking" the ab and if it is short and you put it back it will die.
Here's what I do. The last time I was out I didn't even use my iron. I snuck up on them and with one swoop I grabbed them off the rock by slipping my fingers under their mouths/foot and releasing their hold on the rock. You have to be fast! or it won't work.
As for the short thing, I don't even bother with anything less than 8 1/2 - 9. After some practice one can begin to know how big they need to look to avoid pulling shorts.
I'm sure down south the same could be said for lobsters, right?