There might be plenty of fish in the sea, but if those fish happen to be bluefin tuna, the Wicked Tuna crews are bound to find them. Like all of the stars of the saltwater series, Captain Dave Marciano of the Hard Merchandise is a seasoned angler that worked hard to earn his spot among some of the best vessels of the Atlantic. Even before the show, Marciano knew just what it took to bring in big fins for even bigger money. Now, as a fan-favorite star of the show, the captain shared his thoughts on Wicked Tuna’s portrayal of the bluefin fishing industry.
In a past interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Marciano dove down deep to show fans what life is like on the Hard Merchandise and fishing among other renowned captains. Though Marciano might not always bring home the season win, the captain leads a loyal fan base that admires his passion and dedication to the trade.
Like all fans of reality series, Wicked Tuna watchers sometimes question just how real this reality show is. Many wondered whether the constant competition with other fishermen was truly the nature of the trade or just a manufactured element of the show. Marciano explained that while there are certainly friends among vessels, there are just as many enemies.
“There’s literally hundreds of boats that participate in the bluefin tuna fishery,” the Wicked Tuna star explained. “And it is pretty cutthroat, because these fish are worth a lot of money. I have a small, very tight circle of friends that I work very closely with, and most of them are guys like me — full-time, strictly working commercial fisherman.”
‘Wicked Tuna’ Star Tends to ‘Stay Clear’ of Other Anglers’ Vessels
While most of the show does show a ruthless competition, fans know Captain Marciano as a mild-mannered gentleman that doesn’t like to rock the boat. Marciano, himself, admitted that he tends to be non-confrontational on the water.
“It’s definitely been an interesting process, learning to get along with these guys. Mostly it’s portrayed me, fairly accurately, that I like to do my own thing and stay out of the messes,” the Wicked Tuna star shared. “To be honest with you, I never really knew how things worked on other people’s boats. I only know how I conduct myself and how I do business. I stay clear.”
Whether a strategy or just a part of his gentle soul, the cordial approach often works out in Marciano’s favor. Unlike other more outspoken competitors, Marciano never has to worry about someone cutting his lures or sabotaging his setup. Regardless, the Wicked Tuna captain always seems to keep his eye on the bluefin prize and save his energy for hauling a 100-pound fish onboard.
