Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks

Opening day of winter blue fin tuna season in the Outer Banks brings together seven Southern boats to brave the harsh winter weather of the Outer Banks, otherwise known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. To earn a living here, these fishermen navigate shipwrecks, shifting sands and water so cold you'll freeze quicker than you can say ‘man overboard'. Earning a living here is a matter of life and death, but they wouldn't have it any other way.

With storms on the horizon, the Outer Banks fleet battles an angry ocean and short weather windows to find bluefin tuna. Meanwhile, after being sidelined by mechanical issues, Captain Nick Gowtizka of the Little Shell adjusts his tried-and-true fishing method and pushes the limits to make his mark on the competition.

The big fish have arrived, and the hunt is on. In the face of dangerous sea conditions, the captains put their will to the test and give everything they've got to find their jumbo. But as the bad weather grows worse, underdog Rasta Rocket struggles to keep up on their small boat and must look to their friends for some help. With big waves and even bigger fish, this season proves to be the toughest yet.

It's the toughest season in Outer Banks history. New crews and veteran crews alike battle it out in an effort to catch Blue Gold. The Doghouse proves that they may be the ace crew in the Outer Banks, despite it being their first year as a team, while a mishap on the Reel E' Bugging shows that time on a boat together, isn't everything.

The herds have arrived and for every fisherman in the OBX, this means it's about to be mayhem. A big body of fish brings lower bluefin demand, so it's a race to see who can get a fish before prices dwindle. There is good news for the fleet as a quota extension is announced, which means despite the larger sized fish caught so far this season, the fleet will have more time to make paychecks before the season ends.

A recent quota extension gives the fleet a chance to earn more paychecks and get ahead. But when the weather forecast calls for strong winds and rough seas, pressure mounts to catch before the storm. Doghouse fights to maintain their hot streak while Offshore Outlaw weighs the risks of fishing in rough weather to get ahead and make as much money as possible. Meanwhile, with debts lingering, Reel E' Bugging struggles to get on the meat.

The pressure to produce is mounting, as winter storms continue to limit fishable days while the bite is on, and one boat is tired of playing it safe on land. After sneaking out to fish solo, the rogue crew blindsides the fleet and everyone rushes out to fight for their fair share of the quota. Pushing the limits in Outer Banks weather comes with a price though, and making the wrong moves could mean the end of the season for at least one boat.

With half the season behind them, Captain Jimmie Horning and his mates on the Hog Wild still haven't broken out of the pack, so it's now or never for the newest boat in the fleet. Can they catch up and prove they have what it takes to be contenders? Or will the competition's veterans continue to dominate?

After a near catastrophic engine failure, Reel 'E' Bugging is back fishing and it's all thanks to the Fishing Frenzy. Even though all the boats compete against one another for blue fin, if a fellow fisherman needs help the fleet is there, no matter who it is. That Southern hospitality pays off for Fishing Frenzy who ends up catching a massive blue fin, while Reel ‘E' Bugging hooks-up to three fish. But will he actually get a fish on deck?

With the wind wreaking havoc on the Outer Banks, the entire fleet pushes the envelope to try and make a paycheck before the quota is eaten up. But it's the Offshore Outlaw's John Michael who takes the ultimate risk when he jumps in the frigid water to cut rope out of their propeller and help secure a Bluefin.

The season is halfway through with another stormfront moving in and the competition is tighter than ever, causing the fleet to feel the pressure. After Captain Greg Mayer's former mate, Little Shell Captain Nick Gowitzka, delays in reporting a bite, Mayer starts to spiral and fear that he's losing his edge. Meanwhile, Offshore Outlaw and Reel E. Buggin' face boat problems that may threaten their season.

Unusual calm weather conditions shake up the competition, forcing the fleet to rethink their tried-and-true strategies. Hog Wild fights to keep the lead to prove they can win despite their youth. Meanwhile, with experience on their side, Reel E Bugging works hard to steal the top spot. Dog House makes a critical move among an influx of boats, and Rasta Rocket and Little Shell hope to capitalize on the good weather in order to get ahead.

This season, winter weather has challenged the Southern fishery, keeping boats docked for days while the Bluefin feed offshore. The forecast has finally changed. It's the nicest weather of the year and commercial vessels pile up together, trying to cash in on the big bite. But as captains dodge and weave, they face the harsh reality of trading clouds for crowds: the more lines in the water, the harder the hookups, and the faster the quota fills.

With the competition tighter than ever, and the quota dwindling, first place could come down to just a couple of dollars. But to get the top price, you have to know how to handle your fish. Our captains reveal their tips and tricks as they race to reel in a diamond and bring home the best quality tuna possible.

It's been a season of big fish and the quota is dwindling fast. Like the old saying, ‘Be careful what you wish for,' the Outer Banks fleet wants big, high quality fish. However, all those big fish mean paychecks will end when the quota is filled. And that's happening faster than anyone thought. Time is the enemy as the Outer Banks fleet hits their stride. The competition heats up and the fish just keep coming.

With the quota filling up rapidly, the Fishin' Frenzy looks to secure their fifth title and their first in three years. While Greg and his crew ride their hot streak, the rest of the fleet tries to fend them off, fishing around the clock in hopes of knocking the King off of his throne before it's too late.

This season, Bluefin tuna fishermen have faced some of the most brutal weather in Outer Banks history. Now with the quota filling up, boats face more storms ahead as every fisherman fights for their final paycheck. While they prepare to make their last push after an exhausting season, tempers flare and every fisherman edges closer to their breaking point.

Word is out that the quota's full and less than 24 hours remain for the boats to land a fish, but in the final hours there's more than just money on the line. The bar is at its worst, forcing captains to risk a dangerous crossing or go home without a paycheck. And if they can get past the bar they still have to get past each other. In the tightest competition the Southern fishery has ever seen, only the best Bluefin will be enough to end on top.