Best Episodes
Forty-foot waves, 700 pound crab pots, freezing temperatures and your mortality staring you in the face…it's all in a day's work for these modern day prospectors. During each episode we will watch crews race to meet their quota and make it home safely.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 08, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
A government shutdown shortens the season and starts off a chain reaction that forces the fleet to fish harder and faster to make the market deadline. One boat goes up in flames and many are left to wonder if this is really the life they wished for.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 133 votes.
In Dutch, Sig welcomes their newest greenhorn: his daughter. After four generations of Hansen fishermen, the next in line is a woman. In high seas, a major hydraulic leak on the Time Bandit primes the engine room to blow.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 100 votes.
One captain faces what might spell the end of a storied career while another struggles to check into rehab. Problems on land pale in comparison to those on the Bering Sea where the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard lose one of their own.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 96 votes.
While the rest of the fleet have their doubts about a woman's place on a crab boat, the Northwestern crew must train their new recruit: Sig's 18-year-old daughter, Mandy Hansen.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 109 votes.
Opilio season kicks off with the return of the Cornelia Marie. After a 3-year struggle, Josh Harris brought back the boat that helped make his old man a legend. 18-year-old Mandy Hansen arrives to convince her father Sig to take her fishing.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 117 votes.
Crews struggle to keep their cool; a saboteur wants to end the season early for the Cape Caution; Josh and Casey fight to control the crew; a long lost Hillstrand returns.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 106 votes.
After a storm shuts down the fleet, an even more severe weather system hits them again. While the captains do their best to stay the course, greenhorn problems, mechanical malfunctions and bad fishing conspire to shake their resolve.
The episode was rated 8.01 from 118 votes.
With one captain in the hospital and another on a bender, fishing has come to a halt on two boats. Out at sea an alleged felon is trapped, a boat goes dark, and on the Time Bandit... well, Captain Johnathan just wants to be young again.
The episode was rated 8.05 from 114 votes.
As crews prepare to head to the Bairdi grounds, a mayday call from a sinking ship prompts a dramatic at-sea rescue. On the Cape Caution, Bill's greenhorn is looking for a way out, while Edgar on the Northwestern takes a big risk at his first time as captain.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 114 votes.
An arctic hurricane strikes the fleet; the Cornelia Marie fights sinking; the Time Bandit sees bloodshed; the Northwestern needs repairs.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 88 votes.
The King fleet grows desperate as it hurtles towards the finish line and the Wizard's fishing strategy lands them on the wrong side of the law.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 110 votes.
As the wintery Opilio season roars on, Sig puts Mandy at the helm in boat-crushing seas. Josh Harris struggles quash a rebellion. Elliott’s new girlfriend arrives (much to his crew’s chagrin). Zack Larson feels Wild Bill’s wrath.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 108 votes.
It's Super Bowl Sunday on the Bering Sea. The Cornelia Marie battles 20-foot breakers in St. Paul, a blown prop on the Time Bandit causes a rift that pulls the Hillstrand apart and "Wild" Bill takes his deck boss to task.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 102 votes.
Blood is spilled on the Cape Caution, when a brutal storm rips across the Bering Sea. Rookie boat owner, Josh Harris swallows his pride. Captain Sig fights to keep the Northwestern from going up in flames and captain Keith battles boat-sinking ice.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 112 votes.
Sig orders a classic Northwestern grind; Mandy learns the true meaning of being a greenhorn; Captain Andy faces a difficult decision.
The episode was rated 8.15 from 100 votes.
