Fishing is Like a Roller Coaster

07/14/2009

The seas are getting bigger, the wind is howling and everyone is getting cranky.  This is the point of the season where the excitement of the sea has worn off and all you want to do is get home.  You're tired, you're overworked, you miss your bed, a day without being cold, a moment alone, a moment with a girl and standing on ground that doesn't move.  Every time I went on deck I looked at my boots and that orange rain gear and I just wanted to rip them to shreds, burn them and feed them to the ocean: we were ready to go home.  

It's exhausting and everyone is tired and frustrated, and that's why good fishing is as important now as it's ever been.  With each crab in the tanks, you are that much closer to reaching your quota and going home.  So when Captain Phil is on the crab and pulling in pots that have some of the biggest numbers he's ever seen, it's the best feeling in the world; it's like turning 16 and driving for the first time.  Those times are the highest of the highs, but when the numbers get cold and tailor off, that's the lowest of the lows.  It's like turning 16, failing your driving test, and having your girlfriend break up with you for the jerky captain of the football team (yes, it's that bad). 

A bad cold streak will turn a crew cold and magnify the smallest problems into world tragedies.  Take, for instance, breakfast on the Cornelia Marie. Jake would give Josh a hard time about not cooking a "full-share meal." He would say things like, "Josh is a full-share guy now, but he doesn't make a full-share breakfast."  Personally, I am not 100 percent sure what "full-share meal" means; we would have bacon and eggs or French toast, but Jake didn't find that to be a full-share meal.  I would think a full-share meal would probably include a mimosa or bloody Mary, but there wasn't any drinking on the boat so there goes that.  Regardless of what a full-share meal actually entails, the point is that our meals were fine as long as the pots were full. When the pots started coming up short, so did the meals.  Low numbers are just part of the season -- they happen to every boat; not every pot can have 500s in it.  Fishing is like a roller coaster: When you're way down, just give it some time and soon you'll be on top again.

Comments

[Cathy]

Josh, thanks for the blog and the inside look at the show. Who does most of the cooking on the boat? Who is the best cook? Who is the worst?

[maria]

This sounds like the end of the season alright,Brothers will bicker,deckhands, even the captain should have a few prime words to say.
But I imagine it comes with the job title. So bicker away ,they deserve to vent.

[maria]

By the way I am now a HHuuge fan of
after the catch, but even before this , i wise up with the "Cash Cab "
So all these great men talking about their " Day at the office..." over a cold beer. Refreshing. On another note Josh exactly when does your season of Deadliest Catch end?

[Jen]

It isn't too suprising to see Jake complaining, seems to be a regular thing hah Good thing he is Seeexy lol It is crazy to see just how much those guys eat, uhh! But I'm sure you all need it! Just wanted to say how jealous I am, though I wouldn't last I would do anything to be on that boat.... You Rock!

[Trisha]

Why do they have to throw away the dead King crabs?? Do they not infect the others in the tank??

[Brayton Alberts]

Attn; David McKillop

Hello, I met a lady.
Micky Darron.Her grandfather, Clifton Darron ownen a ALASKAN crab boat 40 +yrs. Micky work on this boat.She is a petti gal. I was thought mabe, You could use her story? For a show on, After The Catch. TheEarlyYrs; DeadlyCatch

[isaac]

The content of this show never varies.
The people are boring.
Yet this is the most aired show!
Please stop playing this show.
You have much more interesting and important things you can re-run or invent I'm sure! I love discovery channel. It's the only channel I would ever watch if you didn't play this every day. POINTLESS.

[Curtis]

I want Jake to know that my heart is with him. I wish your family the best and you as well. God bless.

[Terry Duke]

Why does Jonathan, on the Time Bandit, never work the deck during Opie season? I see Andy on deck all during King Crab season. He kind of looks like he shouldn't even be on the boat!

[Karen Sue Nye]

First I would Like to give my deepest regrets for Jake's Family Loss.And Jake You have came a Long way, and I am glad You have the Brothers of the North Western, couldn't have a Better Bunch of Guys to call Brothers. My families Hearts go Out to You and Your Loved ones.
Second, Johnathan I believe You made the Best Choice in A Highly difficult position that you were faced with, between both deck hands.
Mike does bring allot to the table. I look forward to seeing the men of the Time bandit Every time I tune in, Shoot I watch Reruns .. I love you all, You are one of my favorite Boats in the Fleet. When I watch the show, I look forward to seeing the Infectious nature You all possess . It's amazing the energy You embody.Even After the Confrontation, I must admit that I was worried You would let Mike go. Please don't, he is as much part of the energy that makes the boat fly, and Rock on. and the Call that Mike lets out, what happen to the Woo-Wooo-who-who-whooooooo? Glad Your aboard Mike. Happy for You... Love that, and Wheres the Cowboy Hat Andy.. hat? I love you Guys.I have three favs. Time Bandit, Cornelia Marie, North Western.. Good family Men there, and Tough Phil really My Heart goes Out to him, wish You and Your Sons all the best wishes, Stay Strong Phil. Love Ya All...

[The Boating & Marine Supply Guy]

I could definately see how tempers could run rampant on the boat. With those crazy seas and extreme cold anyone would get a little frazzled. Keep up the good work.