Devil Doc
When Death smiles, Corpsmen smile back
Larry H is correct they are called spiny lobster aka Rock lobster. I honestly like these better than Maine Lobster. I find the texture of the meat as well as the sweetness of it is more to my taste. Besides the Tails on these things have tons of meat.
Well, of course it's a matter of taste, but I'm from New England and I've spent many years stationed on the West coast and I couldn't disagree with you more. There's nothing like a lobster from the cold blue-green waters of the Gulf of Maine. That can be said of most seafood. It takes cold, dark, nutrient rich water to make good tasting seafood. That's why Alaska has the edge on all of us.
Doc.