Fishermens Net

Great little seafood place adjoining a seafood market. My wife and I ordered the classic-​sized lobster roll with new england clam chowder and their fried seafood sampler, comprised of shrimp, haddock, scallops, and clams. The lobster roll had more lobster than I’ve ever had on a lobster roll, but be warned if you’re sensitive to mayo because there’s quite a bit. The chowder was wonderful as it had lots of clam and was topped with the right amount of black pepper. The best actually was the fried seafood sampler, because the scallops were caught that morning and tasted the best I’ve ever had, and the haddock was wonderful, too. The sampler is huge!

During my last week-​long stay in Maine in early October my wife and I were hosting friends for a big old seafood boil and I found myself on the hunt for the most economical option. Previously we had sought out the usual haunts off Commercial St. but I know there is always a bit of a tourist/​convenience premium down there. While shooting up Forest Ave. on my way to a Maine Beer Company tour I spotted Fishermens’ Net and their truck parked out front. The prices were excellent so I returned later in the day. I was promptly and cheerfully served a half dozen very active ‘selects’ for chump change and was on my way. I picked up my other shellfish elsewhere, but I think I’ll do all my shopping here next time!

Unlike Emily S. down there, I had a great experience with the owner here. She had an accent, but was still very nice and walked me through the process in which she was packing the 4 lobsters I wanted. At first I almost got soft shell, but she took the time to ask where I was going and how long I would expect to get home, which was 12 hours. She helped explain that soft shell wouldn’t make it all the way back to california, so I ordered 4 hard shell, which she claimed should make the journey, then she packed right in front of me.
She placed the lobsters in a styrofoam box, wet some newspapers, covered them on the lobsters and placed 3 gel ice packs inside. Then she explained to me the possible issues that may occur while checking my box in. Both she and the male staff member were very polite and helpful about questions and concerns I had.
12 hours later when I arrived back home in San Francisco I found out my Lobsters were in Chicago! I was so upset and thought they were going to die. After speaking with the airlines luggage dept I was able to get them to priority ship my lobsters home. After a total of 24 hours I got a text from my sister that said she received the lobsters and they were all fine!
I’m not saying that Emily down there is wrong, but I simply wanted to share my experience with Fishermens net. Also I firmly believe that you should always watch out for your own purchased products so that’s why I made sure to watch the staff pack my lobsters-​perhaps Emily. S did not, or perhaps she did, it’s just a suggest I hope all those that read this take and practice.
Next time I go and visit my gf in Maine my coworkers expect me to bring back lots of Lobsters for them too now. Looks like I will definitely be coming back, their prices were too good to avoid! (Oct 2012, softshell $ 4.50/lb and hard shell $ 6.99/lb). If you see better, let me know =D

DO NOT BUY LOBSTER FOR TRANSPORT from this market.
When my husband was headed to Portland for a wedding, I called the Fishermens Net to ask about packing up a cooler for him to bring home. The owner (the wife of the pair) assured me that they could pack a styrofoam cooler with ice packs, and that it would protect the lobsters for 24 hours. I confirmed this point several times with her, and each time was reassured. So I gave them my credit card number and ordered 12 fresh lobsters that we could enjoy here in SC.
As Mainers in exile, we have shipped and carried live lobsters many times, and it’s always about the same: the lobsters are packed upright, with dividers between and either wet newspaper or seaweed above and below. Ice packs finish the pack, and the styrofoam cooler is taped shut for extra insulation. But the lobsters we bought from Fishermen’s Net came roughly shoved into the cooler with no seaweed, no newspaper, and no regard for their safety. The shells of 6 of the 12 were crushed, with one’s pincer claw completely severed. The single ice pack was completely insufficient, so the lobsters were warm and dead when they arrived.
To make matters worse, the owner (the husband, this time) was incredibly rude when I called to explain. He accused me of lying about their packing guarantee, and took zero responsibility for the condition of the lobsters. His offer of a $ 50 credit at the store (less than half of what I paid for the lobsters and packaging), was completely useless to me, as I live 1000 miles away and clearly can’t trust him to ship anything.
I have no idea how this merchant treats his in-​person customers, but I can say with authority that he is rude, dishonest, and miserly when addressing a customer from afar. There are dozens of fishmongers in southern Maine who will pack fresh lobsters for your journey home, and who do a great job of it. Please don’t make the mistake of choosing this one instead.

LOBSTAHHHHHH!!!
That is all.
Just kidding…
This place is one of those hole in the walls that locals pretty much know about since it’s off the beaten path and away from all the downtown Portland congestion.
You stop in and get to pick which lobster you want based on pre-​sorted size tanks (1.25, 1.5, 2 lbs) and reflective price range. Over this summer I’ve gotten my lobsters here between $ 3.99 — $ 7.99/lb depending on supply and demand as well as sizes chosen.
If you want, they can steam it for you right on the spot and you can enjoy your lobster on their patio picnic table, while purchasing some butter next door at their sister «restaurant» — Fisherman’s Grille.
Or bring a cooler with you (if you’re traveling from MA and passing through like I do) filled with ice and load up your lobsters!
Oh yeh and if you’re interested and live too far to commute to Portland, I heard you can also get your lobster shipped to wherever you want and they’ll overnight it packed in one of those special shipping cooler containers with dry ice I believe.
Cheap fresh lobsters, quality meat, and convenient! It doesn’t get any better or fresher than this really!