Capt. Bob Cook of Essex, aboard his vessel Fat Tuna, took the win in the season 13 finale of National Geographic’s “Wicked Tuna.”
On the final day, Capt. Paul Herbert of Wicked Pissah had the lead with 12 fish valued at $77,808. and not far behind were the FV-tuna.com with 12 fish valued at $77,538; Time Flies with 11 fish at $77,097 and Cook’s Fat Tuna with 13 fish at $76,221.
But then Cook and his crew, John Kusler and Manny Pereira, hooked a fish that brought their total to 14 fish valued at $82,077.
The captain said this, his fifth season of “Wicked Tuna,” was the most stressful because he had just received his new boat, a 46-foot Mussel Ridge built by Clark Island Boat Works in Maine.
“I was extremely worried about a boat I had built over the past three years and this was the first season with the new boat,” he said. “It was such a steep learning curve, learning all the new systems. and just after the boat came down to Gloucester, the cameras came on board right after. I’ve never been so stressed out and nervous all my life. But it paid off and we could stay focused on the task at hand. I don’t how we did it, but we’re extremely pleased.”
Cook, 51, born and raised in Beverly, grew up fishing off the piers in Beverly and Gloucester. Growing up, he worked inshore lobstering on many different lobster boats in Beverly. As a teenager, he also worked three years on an offshore lobster boat out of Gloucester.
He only moved to Essex five years ago. He docks his boat at the 7 Seas Wharf, home of the Gloucester House, off Rogers Street.
This victory marks Cook’s second win in his five seasons on “Wicked Tuna.” In season 12, he was about $200 away from taking the lead from Gloucester Capt. T.J. Ott of the vessel Hot Tuna who won by hooking 13 fish valued at $70,148. But Cook redeemed that loss in season 13.
Looking back over his five seasons on the show, Cook noted that the fish were noticeably bigger this season.
“But we saw all different sizes, which means there is an extremely healthy fishery,” he said.
As of press time, there is no confirmation about whether there will be a season 14. But what is clear is that the show’s fanbase continues to grow, and all captains note that the fans are all ages, from young to old. and for many viewers and fishing enthusiasts, adventures on the high seas never gets old.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.