Fishing is a hard life, and harder with Bluefin stocks depleted. In Gloucester, Massachusetts, America’s oldest seaport, there’s a special breed of fishermen. For generations they’ve used rod and reel to catch the elusive Bluefin tuna. They depend on these fish for their livelihood, and the competition is brutal! Watch these skilled fishermen set out of the frigid waters of the North Atlantic in hopes of catching the big one (one Bluefin can bring in as much as $20,000!)
Participants
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FV-Tuna.com Crew
FV-Tuna.com Crew
Follow FV-Tuna.com Crew:
Meet the FV-Tuna.com. They’re the best around—and they know it. Under the fiercely competitive leadership of Captain Dave Carraro, this three-man crew is at the top of their game, consistently hauling in giant fish (“monstahs”)—and a lot of them.
But Captain Dave isn’t the most popular guy in the water. Going against the tenets of an unspoken fisherman’s code, “Tricky Dave” isn’t above providing the other boats with fake GPS coordinates, sending them out on wild goose chases while he hauls in the “blue gold.”
Envied and despised by the other boats, the FV-Tuna.com has been described as the “evil empire” of the sea. But will their winning streak endure?
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Hard Merchandise Crew
Hard Merchandise Crew
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This two-man crew works hard for the money. With decades of commercial fishing under his belt, Captain Dave Marciano supports three kids, including one in college, with the money he makes fishing blue fin tuna. First Mate Jason Muenzner, Marciano’s nephew, is learning the ropes from his uncle.
Their vessel is called the Hard Merchandise, a beat-up, workhorse of a boat from 1984 (though it looks like it’s even older). Compared to the other crews’ boats, the Hard Merchandise has been described as the “bastard stepsister” of the fleet. But what do looks matter if she gets the job done?
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Pin Wheel Crew
Pin Wheel Crew
Follow Pin Wheel Crew:
Meet the new kids on the harbor this season—a three-man crew from New Hampshire led by a 24-year-old captain named Tyler. Tyler’s privileged background (he attended prep school where he met his first mate Alex) has afforded him his own boat at a young age. But he’s no googan. This kid can fish.
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Bounty Hunter Crew
Bounty Hunter Crew
Bill and Donna Monte have been married for over 30 years, and have been chasing bluefin together since 1979. Donna credits her husband with introducing her to fishing in the first place—and she’s hooked. “I am one of the only girls that do this type of thing.”
When Scott Ferriero started fishing with the Montes in the mid-’80s, Bill was already a legend in the tuna fishing community. But over the years, Monte has been slowing down a little. “I’m continually having to kick him in the ass to get him going,” says Ferriero.
This season, the Bounty Hunter starts out in a bit of a dry spell. “We’ve had some very good seasons,” explains Bill Monte, “but chasing these fish becomes harder as you get older and your body gets beat up. The younger guys can do this much easier.“
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The Odysea Crew
The Odysea Crew
The smallest of all five boats, the Odysea is captained by Ralph Wilkins, who happens to be best friends with Bill Monte, Captain of the Bounty Hunter. “It’s a big ocean, and you can’t be everywhere at once,” explains Wilkins. “So having people to give you reliable information is key.” Over the years, their friendship has worked to both boats’ advantages. “What he didn’t know, I knew. And what I didn’t know, he knew,” says Ralph. “So it kinda made us very powerful.”
First Mate Kit Vallee, nicknamed “Pirate,” has been fishing with Captain Ralph for only a year, and, according to Ralph, has a lot to learn. But the team works well together. “He’s non-confrontational,” says Ralph. “Which is great for me because I’m a confrontational guy.”
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The Christina Crew
The Christina Crew
“Size matters, Davy boy!” As soon as the Christina comes on the scene, they pull in the biggest fish of the season—and Tuna.com’s Dave is not pleased. Crewed by three pros, will the Christina come out on top?
