Where to Catch Lobster Near Me: A Guide to Local Lobster Fishing

Lobster is one of the most prized seafood delicacies, loved for its sweet and tender meat Catching your own lobsters can be a fun and rewarding experience If you’re wondering where you can catch lobster near your location, this guide will provide some helpful tips and recommendations.

Lobsters are crustaceans that live on rocky, sandy, or muddy bottoms of ocean waters. The two main species targeted by recreational lobster fishermen in the United States are the American lobster and the spiny lobster.

The American lobster is found in the northeast Atlantic waters and has large front claws. The spiny lobster lacks large claws and is common in Florida, California, and the Caribbean. Both can grow up to 20 inches long and live for over 50 years.

Lobsters are nocturnal and typically come out at night to look for food like fish mollusks and plant matter. During the day, they hide in crevices and under rocks. The best times to catch them is after dark using traps and nets. Bright lights are often used at night to attract them.

Recreational lobster fishing seasons vary by location but generally take place in late summer and fall. You’ll need to get a fishing license and follow specific regulations like size limits and bag limits. Using traps or hoop nets is the easiest method for beginners.

Popular Lobster Fishing Spots by Region

Here are some of the top places to go lobster fishing based on your location:

Northeast

• Maine – Known for American lobsters, catch them from rocky ledges and kelp beds
• Massachusetts – Try Cape Cod and Boston Harbor
• Long Island, New York – Great shore fishing from beaches and jetties
• Rhode Island – Narragansett Bay and Block Island harbors

Southeast

• Florida Keys – Harvest Caribbean spiny lobsters around coral reefs
• Gulf Coast – Alabama and Louisiana have good shore and boat fishing
• North Carolina – Look for American lobsters around barrier islands

West Coast

• Southern California – Spiny lobster fishing from piers and bays like San Diego
• Channel Islands, California – Boat trips reach productive islands
• Oregon – Depoe Bay and Newport have docks to fish from

Hawaii

• Oahu – Catch slipper lobsters along the south and west shores
• Maui – Productive fishing around Kihei and Lahaina
• Big Island – Kailua-Kona waters hold good populations

International Destinations

• Bahamas – Caribbean spiny lobsters around islands like Bimini
• Mexico – Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta offer boat and shore trips
• Australia – Rock lobsters in coastal waters around Perth and Brisbane
• New Zealand – Catch spiny red rock lobsters near North Island

Best Practices and Tips

When planning your lobster fishing adventure, keep these tips in mind:

• Check current regulations – Know the legal size, season dates, bag limits, and required permits. Regulations can vary significantly by state or region.

• Use the right bait – Lobsters are attracted to smelly baits like fresh fish, squid, clams, or chum bags.

• Focus your efforts at night – Lobster activity increases after dark, improving your odds.

• Fish rocky bottom areas – Look for underwater structure like ledges, wrecks, and reefs.

• Use hoop nets or traps – These are the best methods for catching lobsters recreationally.

• Consider a guided trip – Look for charters to take you to proven spots if new to the area.

• Bring a lobster gauge – Measure each lobster before keeping to ensure it’s a legal size.

• Be prepared to handle them – Use gloves to avoid lobster bites or bring a long handled net.

• Check weather and tides – Avoid windy days that can make lobstering difficult. Incoming tides are best.

With some preparation and planning, you can have an exciting lobster fishing adventure close to home. Catching a fresh lobster dinner is one of the best rewards of spending time on the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the closest place to catch lobster near me?

This depends on your location, but some spots to consider are Southern California if you’re on the West Coast, Long Island Sound if you’re near New York, New England harbors if you’re in the Northeast, and Florida Keys if you’re in the Southeast.

What kind of bait do you use to catch lobsters?

The best lobster baits are smelly fish like mackerel, herring, tuna, and squid. Some people also use fresh or rotten chicken and beef. Put bait in traps, tie it to nets, or use chum bags to attract them.

When is lobster season near me?

Most states have summer and fall lobster seasons that run from early August through October typically. However, exact regulations vary, so check your local fishing authority for specifics on seasons and closures.

Is a fishing license required to catch lobsters?

Yes, you need to have an appropriate recreational fishing license that allows lobstering in order to legally catch and keep lobsters. You may also need lobster permits or tags depending on the regulations.

What is the best way for a beginner to catch lobster?

Using lobster traps or hoop nets is the easiest method for beginners. You simply bait the traps, lower them to the sea floor, mark them with a buoy, then check them later. Guided lobster boat trips are also great learning experiences.

What kind of habitat and structure should I look for?

The best areas to find lobsters are rocky sea floors with crevices and caves where they hide during the day. Also target underwater structure like shipwrecks, artificial reefs, ledges, channels, and cobble or gravel bottom.

How big of a lobster can I keep? What about females with eggs?

Legal lobster sizes vary but are generally around 3 to 5 inches long. Undersized and egg-bearing females must be returned to the water. Always measure using a lobster gauge to be sure of legality before keeping.

How many lobsters are you allowed per day?

Recreational daily bag and possession limits range from 4 to 12 lobsters depending on your location. Some places allow multi-day lobster harvest tags. Check current regulations.

What kind of boat is best for lobster fishing?

Smaller boats around 16 to 30 feet work well for setting and hauling traps nearshore. Offshore lobstering may require larger seaworthy vessels. No boat is needed for pier, jetty, and beach fishing.

Is night or day better? Should I go on an incoming or outgoing tide?

Lobsters are most active at night so after sunset is highly recommended. Fishing an incoming high tide is best as rising water pushes lobsters into shallower spots. But you can still catch them in daylight on moving water.

Catching your own fresh lobsters for dinner is an amazing experience you’ll never forget. Follow this guide and do your research to find the top lobster fishing spots near your home. Tight lines!