The corona virus pandemic adds unprecedented challenges to the blue fin season, and the crews are going to be pushed to the limit to make a living in a globally depressed economy.
Fishing conditions and sales continue to be a daily struggle, especially with the buyers closing for two days at a time. Most skippers get a little luck off Stellwagen Bank.
Although some crews are still struggling for a payday, most firmly believe that sticking to proven methods, and re-trying previous years hot spots is the only way to keep going.
With buying low and costs high, some Captains elect to steam a little further in the hopes of a large quality fish, while most of the fleet stays close to base and try for fish on Stellwagen Bank.
All eyes are set on the Wicked Pissah. Paul reveals what motivates his team this year, not in the least the build of his new vessel. The new quota stabilizes the market and the growing demand for tuna pushes the prices to better days
Due to summer stormy weather the Captains are put to the test to stay out there. Since they have 3 day fishing week, they can't afford to stay at the docks for safety measures. They have to put it all out to make a much needed paycheck
With the season still up and down in terms of prices, the crew adopt a can't stop, won't stop attitude despite pressure from the recreational fisherman while fishing closer to the shore.
In one of the most difficult seasons in the history of Wicked Tuna, making a paycheck is more important than ever. Hopefully, the next generation of Tuna fishermen will add to the Tuna count.
Hot Tuna gets help from the other family boat, the Bad Fish. They hope to increase profits by catching bluefin for their family business and move out of the middle of the pack.
For years Dave Marciano has assisted with the Wounded Warriors Project, and this year persuades the other Captains to put work aside for a day, and take a crew of wounded veterans out to catch tuna fish.
When the water temperature rises, the bluefin tends to spread around. But now there nowhere to be found. There only three days left to earn a paycheck so everyone is digging into their honeyspots.
The fishing slows right down, with bites few and far between. This results in many different reactions ranging from begging and despair, through anger and annoyance, to outright joy when one is landed.
One of the Captains keeps fishing in a secret location, which does nothing for his popularity with the other Captains, but it does give him a chance to get his boat to the top of the board.
The buyer breaks are wreaking havoc with the crews fishing strategies, and Dave Carraro suffers his longest ever cold streak, in his entire fishing career.
As the quota starts to get filled, tensions rise amongst the crews that are still trying to make their mark on the pack, and crews are looking for bigger, higher financial return fish
Time is running out, and the Hard Merchandise is fighting to hold onto the top spot, as the Wicked Pissah crew fights back after their time off the water.
The quota is almost full, and all eyes are on the top two boats, while the remainder of the fleet are just searching to make a final paycheck before the end of the season.