David Sargent is a lobster fisherman, clam digger, and sea urchin and scallop diver.  Sargent's boat is 22 feet long, and he has 275 traps. He has one additional person who helps with tasks like filling bait bags and cleaning traps. He primarily uses herring and hide as bait, which can be challenging to obtain at certain times of the year.

Scope and Content Note:
Sargent discusses fishing regulations.  He says lobster fishing is regulated well, but diving for scallops and sea urchins has become more restricted, limited to the period between December 1st and April 15th. During other times, he relies on clamming and worming, as well as the lobster shedding season from July to November. Sargent fishes in various weather conditions but acknowledges that some weather conditions can be too dangerous to go fishing. He sells his lobsters to Down East Lobster. Sargent enjoys being a fisherman because it offers independence and the harder he works, the more money he can make. However, fishing can also have an impact on his family's well-being, as not going fishing for a while means they may not have enough to eat. He considers fishing a dangerous profession, with close encounters and situations where the seas become dangerously rough. The rise in gas prices has negatively affected the fishing industry, as it cuts into profits when the catch is not substantial. Sargent's preferred activity among scalloping, clamming, lobstering, and sea urchin diving is lobstering, which also generates the most income for him. He mentions the local rules for lobster fishing, such as size limits and restrictions on taking notched female lobsters. He emphasizes that fishing is hard work and requires self-motivation to succeed. Regarding age and safety, he believes it depends on the individual's responsibility, but he suggests that going lobstering alone is dangerous and recommends having a stern man on the boat. The limit for lobster traps within the three-mile line is 800, and the number of lobsters in a trap varies depending on the location. Sargent has seen lobsters fight and mentions catching a large lobster weighing around 17 to 18 pounds. While some people may be intimidated by larger lobsters, he is not scared of them. The smell of fishing, particularly from herring used as bait, does not bother him, but some stern men have gotten sick. Sargent considers diving the most difficult activity, requiring physical exertion, while clamming and worming are comparatively easier. He does not expect his son to follow in his footsteps as a fisherman. In the past, he worked as a welder but intends to continue lobster fishing for the foreseeable future.