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Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks season 7 wraps up this Sunday, October 18 at 8:30 p.m. EST on National Geographic. This season, the Outer Banks has proved to be a tough beast to overcome as the best crews from Gloucester, Mass. battle against the unstoppable southern local fleets. But who will be crowed champion amongst the best of the best?

One of the ocean’s most lucrative fish, the bluefin tuna, is what these crews must catch to win. Bluefin can be worth as much as $20,000 each, depending on their size. The crews have worked around a short season and small government catch quota to reel in the big bucks and end the season with the highest dollar amount of bluefin caught on their line.

The boats and their captains this season include Captain Bobby Earl of Reel E’ Bugging, Captain Dave Cararro of the FV-Tuna.com, Captain T.J. Ott of the Hot Tuna, Captain Tyler McLaughlin of the Pinwheel, Captain Zack Shackleton of Rasta Rocket and Captain Nick Gowitzka of Little Shell.

Earl and Cararro had two very different experiences this season, but both took some time to speak with The Coastland Times before the season finale.

Cararro, who has now filmed ten seasons with Wicked Tuna up in his home base of Gloucester, stepped out of his comfort zone during this season, his first season in the Outer Banks. Despite the new terrain, Cararro said he is “very happy with how things have went.”

“We really don’t know the way of the water down here,” Cararro had said during his interview. “The fishing down here is completely different than what we do . . . but we are sitting in a pretty good spot.”

As of the episode leading right into the finale, Carraro and his crew are at the top of the leaderboard. Impressive, given the fact that Cararro chose to not go out to sea two days during the show when other teams did.

“The biggest challenge, specifically for me and my boat, was getting across that bar at the inlet,” he said. “I have respect for it, and am I afraid of it? Absolutely.” Carraro had made some executive decisions to err on the side of caution, since his boat and crew were new to the inlets and waters of the Outer Banks.

At the end of the day, Cararro said he was “happy with the decision,” and looking back, wouldn’t have changed anything with the season. As for his most memorable moment, Cararro said fans will find that out during the finale. “I will tell you, it has to do with what’s on end of our rod,” he hinted.

Earl, on the other hand, was not as pleased with his season on the show. Coming in the reigning champion of Season 6, he said he was sure his crew had what it took to win.

“I don’t think anyone will fish harder than us,” Earl told The Coastland Times. “This is the best of the best; this is the time to shine.” Unfortunately, he and his crew fell ill early on in the season. “By the time we got to in game, it was already too late,” he admitted.

But Earl and his crew don’t plan on throwing in the towel any time soon. After the season, Earl brought his boat back up north to have some work done. Now, he is more than ready for another battle. “Given the opportunity, I can’t imagine anyone beating us in upcoming seasons,” he said.

Bluefin season is a short one. Four to six weeks to rack in fish without anything going wrong is a longshot. “When you have a season that’s four to six weeks, it takes one mechanical problem or one person getting sick, and your season ruined.” Earl said. We have quota for four weeks, that’s how tight the Outer Banks is. It can cost you your whole year’s salary.”

After working tirelessly all season long, each boat fought hard to the finish. “The competition was so intense, I think the show itself had its best season yet.” Earl said.

The finale is, according to the captains, one for the record books.

“It’s going to come down to the very, very last fish. It’s a very tight race, and something very big is going to happen,” shared Cararro. “None of us knew who was gonna put this out right down to the end. It’s shocking how it ends,” added Earl.

Tune in at 8:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, October 18 for the season finale of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks. To find out more about the show, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/wicked-tuna-outer-banks.

READ MORE IN OUR ON THE WATER SECTION HERE.

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