Two Days, 800 Traps: The Grind and Glory of a Maine Lobsterman
Jacob Knowles’s recent video, “I caught a rare GOLD lobster,” isn’t just about a unique crustacean—it’s a deep dive into the demanding, often grueling reality of commercial lobstering in Maine. Over two marathon days, Knowles and his crew hauled and re-baited 800 traps, battling poor conditions and showcasing the blend of hard work, conservation, and family tradition that defines the fishery.
The Crown Jewel of the Catch: A 1 in 30 Million Lobster
The highlight of the two-day haul was the discovery of an incredibly rare bright yellow (gold) lobster. Estimated to be a staggering 1 in 30 million catch, the excitement was palpable.
However, in a testament to the industry’s commitment to sustainability, this genetic marvel was released back into the ocean. As a recently shed female, she needed to be protected to ensure her rare genetics could be passed on, a practice reinforced by the crucial V-notching law that protects large, egg-bearing females from harvest for life. Similarly, oversized males, the most effective breeders, are also immediately returned to the water.
The Relentless Grind: Fog, Snappers, and Soft Shells
While the rare catch provided a moment of glory, the bulk of the two days was pure grit. The crew faced a relentless “grind” exacerbated by challenging mid-July conditions:
- Difficult Conditions: Thick fog and a hard-running tide made finding and retrieving buoys a time-consuming battle.
- “Snappers”: Catches were poor, and many traps were filled with aggressive, small, hard-shell lobsters known as “snappers.” These feisty little lobsters bite the trap wires and are a hassle to remove, slowing down the entire operation.
- The Sweet Taste of Soft-Shell: The slow catch did, however, yield soft-shell lobsters (known as “shedders”). These newly molted lobsters are easier to catch and are renowned for having a sweeter, distinct flavor. The video explains that this is the lobster tourists enjoy, as their delicate shells prevent them from surviving long-distance shipping.
The Logistics of the Lobster Trap
The video also provided a rare look at the business of trap management:
- Retrieving Lost Gear: The crew successfully retrieved a line of five missing traps, which had been broken off by the mandatory weak link safety regulations (designed to protect marine life like whales). The fisherman noted the high financial cost of the lost traps and the regulatory value of the tags required for every piece of gear.
- New Trap Rotation: A significant portion of the time was spent rotating out 50 older traps to retrieve their tags, which were then immediately used to legally set an equivalent number of brand-new, more efficient traps.
A Full Circle Family Tradition
Underlying the commercial operation is a strong sense of family and tradition. Knowles’s oldest son, Jace, joined the trip, creating what the fisherman called a “full circle moment.” Watching Jace work in the same spot where Knowles worked with his own father, the video highlights how the difficult, repetitive work of lobstering continues to be passed down through generations.
In the end, Jacob Knowles showed that the lobstering life isn’t always filled with cool, rare finds. Often, it’s about the exhausting, repetitive work required to earn a living—a reality check served with a side of spectacular natural history.
