SAnParis

Hopefully a simple question for someone in the know. I'm trying to use some free flights, & I am hopeful Summer works. Thanks.

yestravel

I'm not from Maine, but do go their regularly. Summer is a great time for lobster in Maine. I'm not aware that there is a specific season for lobster outside of them not being fished in the really bad weather in the winter months. June is reputed to have black flies and therefore not a great time to visit. We've gone to Maine many times in July and August and never had black flies and always had fabulous lobster..though getting more expensive every year.

gail

It is always lobster season - not like oysters, certain fin fish. Prices are higher in the winter. Around mid-summer there are sometimes more soft-shelled lobsters, which some people say are inferior.

Fra_Diavolo

Gail has it right. Some people say the soft shelled lobsters of summer have a little less meat in them and what there is has less flavor. I can't say that I've noticed the difference.

Shandy1977

It is always in season. Yes, summer is going to give you more soft shells that have less meat and a bit less flavor. Winter produces more hard shell "bugs". They catch 'em year round, though, and they are always good in my book... soft or hard! =)

SAnParis

That is great...I can't imagine an 'inferior' lobster, I mean how bad good it be ? Thanks to all.

china_cat

I actually like softshell lobster. Although they are a bit worse value, because there is a little less meat in proportion to the oversize shell. But I've never noticed a difference in taste, and the softshells are much easier to eat.

I was surprised that Atlantic Canada does seem to have a "lobster season". Lobsters were rarely available in the Nova Scotia and PEI in August, and what they had came from Maine!

tbelgian

Lobsters are always in season in Maine. Although Maine lobster is a great product always, hard shell's meat is,(to me,) tough and less tasty. There is more meat in hard shell lobster, and that's what a lot of people like. If I am going to make stew or newburg, I'll use hard shells because there is more meat and the cooking softens the meat. If I'm going to just eat lobster or have lobster sandwiches, it's soft shell for me.

SAnParis

SO how long are they 'softshells'. I'm guessing just a short time & this is a molting thing, similar to crabs (?).

virginia

not sure if it's clear here, but lobsters molt. normally once per year after they turn 4 or 5. when it is time to molt a new shell begins to form under the existing one. the back of the old shell then splits. the old shell falls off. the shell underneath begins to harden. and so it goes.
they do all seem to have birthdays around the same time every year.
imho summer is the best time to eat them because you can do so outdoors/dockside where they seem to taste best.
yestravel is correct about june. it is our black fly season and they are nasty little biters. the itchy welts are considerably larger than the bugs. not so much a problem at the coast as there is usually a breeze to keep them at bay.

yestravel

There have always been soft shells available in July and August when we've been in Maine. I prefer the soft shells and think the meat is more tender and sweeter, but you do get less meat. The shell is very easy to break and you can do it without implements. Unlike softshell blue crabs, you don't eat the shell. SAnParis, I'm with you in that there is no such thing as an inferior lobster--they're all delicious. Have a great trip whenever you decide to go and enjoy all the lobster..hard or soft shell, rolls, chowder, whatever.

dfrostnh

Lobsters are available year round BUT the great ocean side lobster shacks are usually only open during the tourist season. (i.e. sometimes weekends only from Labor Day until Columbus Day) We've camped in mid-June (Searsport) and not noticed black flies. We live in NH so we are quite familiar with them. We like the lobster places where you eat at a picnic table on a dock outdoors. I think I like late June/early July best for Maine while strawberries and rhubarb are still in season. Last year we camped in Wiscasset which was a great location for visiting a variety of lobster places. (When you get tired of lobster, switch to fried clams.)

Keith

My relatives that did commercial lobster fishing out of Gloucester did not run their traps in the winter.

But, I don't recall if it was for them to avoid the bad weather, or if there was a reason involving the lobsters.

Keith

kealalani

I've done a side by side taste test between hardshell and soft shell. It's all good!

Only once have I had mushy claws due to TOO soft shell waterlogging the meat.

Happy planning SAnParis

HKP

There's been an amazing series on TV called "Lobster Wars" about lobstermen (one woman, though) on the Georgian banks. Those boats went on their last run in mid- December, but I don't remember whether they said when their first runs in the new year begin.

The summer softer shelled bugs can be a bit watery for my taste, even when steamed, and they're murder to crack open -- they don't crack so much as tear.

I also have a prejudice in favor of smaller 1-1 1/2 lb. over a big one -- would rather have 2 of those than one 4 pounder -- seem to me tastier.

clueless

Lobster rolls are more bang for the buck IMHO. I think you get more lobster for less work and don't need a bib!!!!

cfc

I agree with lobster roll theory. But then there's the question of just what else goes in the roll. I'm big on mostly lobster but with a little celery for crunch. No relish, please!

kealalani

relish?

cfc

...as in, no picallili, chopped pickled cucumber, sweet-sour mush, or anything of the sort. Keep it AWAY from the lobster!

gail

Traditional lobster roll is lobster meat, mayo and perhaps a small amount of celery - served on a buttered and grilled hotdog roll. Nothing else.