Lucky Catch Cruises

About Us:

Captain Tom's lobstering career began in 1984 as a summer job for his neighbor Andy Strout.

They set the traps along the beautiful rocky shores of Cape Elizabeth and after the first day on the 23 foot boat, Tom was hooked. "It was always a thrill to discover what was waiting inside the next trap" Tom recalls. "I guess that's the reason it's still enjoyable today."

The next summer Tom began working for Andy's brother Frank on the 36 foot Nancy J. which docked in Portland Harbor. Frank lobstered full time year round and showed Tom the challenges and rewards of making a living on the sea. "Frank was the perfect role model," Tom explains. "He's a great fisherman, works hard, very knowledgeable, honest and fair."

While working on the Nancy J. Tom began building some of his own traps and was soon hauling them by hand on board his own 21 foot lobster boat. A few years later this boat was replaced with another 30 foot lobsterboat named Sue-Anna-Jean. "Thankfully that boat had a hydraulic trap hauler" Tom mentions.

In 1996 the 37 foot Lucky Catch was purchased to add size and stability but also to take on a new approach. During the summer months Captain Tom began taking passengers out to tend his traps. On the one and a half hour excursions, guests could experience the routines of a real Maine Lobsterman.

In December 2007 the new 40 ft. Lucky Catch was launched in Northeast Harbor, Maine. She carries passengers in the summer, but lobsters commercially the remainder of the year.