When you open a can of tuna, have you ever thought about how it got there? "Wicked Tuna" answers that question by detailing the journey of tuna fishermen in the North Atlantic. These fishermen make their year's earnings in the span of 10 weeks during fishing season. "Wicked Tuna" follows small fishing crews on this adventure -- and here are some of the most compelling moments from their journeys.
Competition -- Captain Dave vs. Captain Kevin
Competition is a natural part of the industry and the show, and often spurns the crews to work harder and earn more money. In "Size Matters" (Season 1, Episode 4), Kevin wrangles a 1,100-pound tuna onto the Christina as he competes with Dave to catch the largest bluefin. As the competition heats up, Kevin brags and Dave can't seem to handle his defeat, sparking a debate among the show's fans.Rough weather conditions
Fishing in dangerous waters is difficult, especially when large commercial fishing boats approach the Bounty Hunter's crew. If the larger ship's dragger catches the smaller one's anchor, the smaller vessel could get pulled right under in a "Nantucket sleigh ride," destroying a vessel and injuring the crew. In this instance (depicted in "The Bite Is On": Season 1, Episode 1), the commercial ship's captain seems to deliberately antagonize the crew, who contact U.S. Coast Guard and report the ship for several violations.Cohesive crew (nearly) results in big catch
In "Payback's a Fish" (Season 1, Episode 2), Dave's crew struggles to net a second large fish. His crew works precisely to fish, but the sun's glare reveals the fishing line to the fish. The anticipation builds as the crew prepares rope to wrangle the large tuna. The fish is so large that the crew must maneuver the boat and use its motor to follow and spear the fish -- but they miss.Marciano's son makes a big catch
Aboard the Hard Merchandise in "Greed, Ego & Jealousy" (Season 1, Episode 5), Captain Marciano explains that his son is like a "good luck charm." Son Joe spots a fish that could be worth up to $12,000. After Joe reels in the fish, his father guides him through the process and expresses pride. The fish weighs 900 pounds.Fishing in dangerous weather
In "Man vs. Storm" (Season 1, Episode 6), Hard Merchandise first mate Jay spots a large amount of fish on the radar. Water fills the boat as the seas get rough, and they attempt to reel in a potential large catch. When they succeed, their risk pays off -- they spear, hook, and rope the large tuna."Wicked Tuna" explores the risks taken (and egos bruised) in pursuit of the largest tuna. However, "Wicked Tuna" balances out the fierce competition with some tender moments, such as Joe's big catch.
To watch the "Wicked Tuna" fisherman work hard for their catch, tune in to Nat Geo on Sunday, 1/13 at 9 PM ET
