Name: Mike Libby
Age: 65
Hometown: South Portland, Maine
Profession: Lobsterman
Bar of Choice: The Porthole
Drink of Choice: Anything
Located on Custom House Wharf, The Porthole is a legendary Portland waterfront bar and restaurant with a large dining room and patio that attracts tourists, locals and, on occasion, the overly aggressive seagull. It’s renowned for its views, live music, hearty breakfast and, of course, fresh local seafood. In fact, the lobsters served at The Porthole are caught and delivered by this month’s Regular, Mike Libby, whose boat is docked across from the restaurant.
Asked why she nominated Mike, longtime staff member Amanda Thompson said, “Mike is an interesting character. He’s very funny and says exactly what’s on his mind.” It was clear to us that the staff are fond of him. During our interview, every employee who walked by jokingly insulted Mike, and he gave it right back to them — a sign of genuine endearment.
Tell us about your career as a lobsterman.
I’ve been a lobsterman for fifty years. My two sons are fishermen too. I was a single father, and they came to work for me. They never really complained about it. They’ve done very well. I have my boat and my sons both have their own boats.
Do you come from a family of lobstermen?
No, my father was a physics teacher, but I grew up four houses down from the ocean in South Portland, and I just got drawn to the water. I went lobstering with a kid in the neighborhood and saw what he did. Figured it out pretty easy: Don’t drown.
I just got a cheap boat and started small, and I had, like, twenty traps the first year. I wasn’t working for anybody, I was working for myself. At the end of the year I had only one trap left. Then I built myself up and bought a better boat. I was seventeen and I went to Little Diamond Island and there were these three gorgeous blondes working the wharf. There was a guy down there who was an engineer and a lobsterman. He goes, “You hang out here enough, let’s get some work out of you!” and so I started working for him.
What do you like most about lobstering?
Freedom. You can set your own hours, do your own thing. Hopefully you make enough money [laughs]. I fish year-round, but it’s all weather related. You can go to a lot of places, you can put up with a lot of bullshit, but I’m not going out there when it’s two degrees and blowing forty miles per hour.
How’s the industry doing?
Actually, this year — knock on wood — it’s alright. I have no complaints. Twenty twenty-one was the best year I’ve ever had in my life. It was huge because we agreed on eight dollars a pound, but the last two years they pushed the price down. It costs me a thousand dollars a day in bait. That’s a lot of money. People didn’t want to pay that much more for lobsters, but they’re paying it now. It’s reasonable now and we’re catching a fair amount of volume. It’s coming alive for the first time in six years. I don’t know what changed. It’s all cyclic.
Do you have any harrowing tales from being out at sea?
I’ve saved a few people’s lives. You know, down at East End Beach, people go, like, in a kayak and flip over. It’ll be June, but the water is cold as shit. I brought a girl on the boat to get her ashore. I’d say, “What are you doing out here? You’re gonna die!” It’s kind of scary. You don’t want to mess around in the water any time.
How long have you been coming to The Porthole?
I started selling lobsters here probably in 2010. My boat is on the other side of the wharf right there, and, obviously, I’m fishing all day, dealing with crap, so we get drinks here when we’re done. It’s easy!
Do you mostly sell your lobsters to businesses on this wharf?
I sell to Porthole and Boone’s [Fish House & Oyster Room], but the majority of my lobsters go to Custom House Seafood. I was also Craig Johnson’s first fisherman at Coastal Bait.
It seems like you have a great relationship with the staff here. Do you have any favorites?
Amanda’s wonderful. We’ve known each other for thirteen years. I don’t know why she nominated me, though — what a birdbrain. Caitlin is my other favorite. She’s a bartender. Sometimes she’ll add apple cider or water to my beer while I’m in the bathroom. I’ll come back and go, “What is this?!” It’s just to mess with me.
What would you recommend people eat at The Porthole?
Twin lobsters!
Know an interesting bar regular? Send them our way at theregularsmaine.gmail.com.
