Wicked Tuna & Gloucester, MA
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Are you a fan of Nat Geo’s Wicked Tuna? Gloucester, Massachusetts is America’s oldest working harbor and the home port of the hit television series. Our Wicked Tuna & Gloucester MA blog post will give you the lowdown on where to see the Wicked Tuna boats, buy merchandise, and schedule a charter with a Wicked Tuna captain. We will also take you to some of our favorite spots in the fishing-obsessed city of Gloucester MA. Included is a Wicked Tuna boat map.
Wicked Tuna follows a group of fishermen who use simple rods and reels to hook huge bluefin tuna in the North Atlantic Ocean. Each season, six (or so) boats compete to see who can earn the most money catching tuna. The show features a cast of salty, outspoken New Englanders who have captured the hearts of viewers; while also educating the public about the intricacies and difficulties of the commercial fishing industry.
Gloucester is called the bluefin capitol of the world, and the fishing culture runs deep. The wharves, marinas, fish factories, and boat yards of this legendary seaport are fascinating to spend the day walking around. The Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial (The Man at the Wheel) is also a must-see when it comes to learning about Gloucester’s rich fishing heritage.
Gloucester is a short 36 miles (58km) from Boston, MA. Click here to explore rental car prices. If you are staying overnight in the area, click here to check out Gloucester hotels and nearby Rockport MA hotels.
If you are a viewer who cannot wait for the next season of Wicked Tuna, a trip to Gloucester will make gearing up for upcoming shows even more fun. Use our Wicked Tuna and Gloucester MA blog post to help plan your stops. Who can resist getting a cup of “chowdah” while waiting for the “Wicked Pissah” to bring in a “monstah.” Now, that’s a good day.
While in Gloucester consider these other fun activities:
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GLOUCESTER MA TUNA SEASON
The bluefin tuna fishing season in Gloucester MA runs between the months of June and November, although some giant tuna have been hooked as late as December. Outside of tuna season, most of the Wicked Tuna boats remain at port in Gloucester and can be viewed year-round.
WHERE TO SEE THE WICKED TUNA BOATS
A good time to spy the Wicked Tuna boats is in the afternoon when the boats head in from Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge. Wicked Tuna is an international hit, and the cast is used to fans coming to the docks see the boats. The cast has a reputation for being happy to meet fans and allow pictures. Please be respectful. These are working, privately owned boats. Always ask, before assuming. The following three locations are good spots to catch sightings of the cast and tuna boats:
Cape Ann Marina
(75 Essex Street, Gloucester MA)
Four Wicked Tuna boats dock at the Cape Ann Marina. The FV-Tuna.com, Wicked Pissah, Pinwheel, and Bounty Hunter call the location home. On a visit here you may see the Wicked Tuna captains and crews loading supplies, gassing up, repairing gear, and swabbing the decks.
The Cape Ann Marina Resort is just outside of town. In addition to the marina, there is a boat yard, hotel, and two restaurant/bars onsite (inside and outside). There is also a store selling Wicked Tuna merchandise.
7 Seas Wharf
(63 Rogers Street, Gloucester MA)
Wicked Tuna captain, Dave Marciano, keeps his boats, the Hard Merchandise and Falcon, on the 7 Seas Wharf. The wharf is located behind the Gloucester House restaurant on Rogers Street. The 7 Seas Wharf has been a working pier for over 350 years. At this location you are apt to see fishermen fixing nets, hosing decks, and unloading lobster and fish.
On our last visit to Gloucester, we were lucky enough to watch Dave Marciano’s Falcon boat zipping around Gloucester Harbor. After the boat docked, we watched it unload and met Dave. He was warm and gracious, and we got some great shots of the encounter.
The Gloucester House serves mouth-watering New England regional favorites such as lobster, fresh seafood, and chowder. The restaurant and General Store next door sell Wicked Tuna merchandise.
Smith Cove on Rocky Neck
(Rocky Neck Ave., Gloucester MA)
Wicked Tuna captain, TJ Ott, docks the Hot Tuna behind the Madfish Wharf in Smith Cove on Rocky Neck. The location is in the same neighborhood as the Rocky Neck Arts Colony. A trip to see the Hot Tuna can be combined with visiting some great art galleries and restaurants in the Rocky Neck community.
WHERE TO BUY WICKED TUNA MERCHANDISE
Here are some of the locations selling official Wicked Tuna merchandise in Gloucester, MA:
Cape Ann Marina Resort: 75 Essex St., Gloucester MA
Gloucester House: 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester MA
7 Seas Wharf General Store: Rogers Street, Gloucester MA
Seaside Graphics: 27 Railroad Ave., Gloucester MA
HOW TO SCHEDULE A WICKED TUNA CHARTER
Here is a list of charters from our favorite Wicked Tuna captains:
FV-Tuna.com: Captain Dave Carrero. Bluefin tuna, cod, haddock, striped bass, and bluefish charters. Contact FishGloucester.com. 75 Essex Ave., Gloucester MA
Hard Merchandise or Falcon: Captain Dave Marciano. Bluefish tuna, haddock, and groundfish charters. Contact Angelicafisheries.com. (978) 315-3399, 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester MA
Hot Tuna: Captain TJ Ott. Bluefin tuna, haddock, and ground fish charters. Contact Fattunacharters.com. 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester MA.
Pinwheel: Captain Tyler McLaughlin. Bluefin tuna, haddock, and striped bass charters at Pinwheel Tuna Fishing Charters. Contact Pinwheeltunacharters.com. Info@pinwheeltunacharters.com. 27 Harbor Loop, Gloucester MA.
Wicked Pissah: Captain Paul Hebert. Bluefin tuna and haddock charters with Wicked Pissah Fishing. Contact: (857) 220-7765. Appointments Bookedin.com. 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester MA or info@fattunacharters.com.
OTHER FISHY THINGS TO DO IN GLOUCESTER MA
Jodrey State Fish Pier
Walk the Jodrey State Fish Pier to view huge ships loading and unloading product at the fish factory. On the grounds there are industrial fishing trawlers and fancy pleasure boats in the marina. You are apt to see a Coast Guard boat patrolling the waters. We recently saw the Angela + Rose fishing boat pulling into port. The boat was used in the 2022 Best Picture Academy Award winning movie, CODA.
Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial & Wives Memorial
The Stacy Avenue Esplanade is a walkway along Gloucester Harbor. Along the esplanade visitor will find the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial and Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Memorial. The solemn bronze memorials are dedicated to the Gloucester fishermen who have lost their lives at sea, and to the families who mourn them. There is a reference at the Fishermen’s memorial to the men on the Andrea Gail who were taken in 1991 (from the book and movie The Perfect Storm).
Walk Downtown Gloucester and the Waterfront
Gloucester has a small, inviting Main Street full of diners, cafes, and locally-owned shops. You are apt to run into the Wicked Tuna cast at any of the local restaurants and bars. Main Street is one block over from the waterfront. Walking along Rogers and Commercial Streets will give you a sense of the day-to-day workings of the harbor. Note: The 7 Seas Wharf behind Gloucester House is a great place to spot Wicked Tuna crew as one boat docks in the area, and four Wicked Tuna boats have fishing charter offices nearby.
Tails up! Laura and Randy
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