Bluefin Blowout Sits Down with the Now-Famous Captain of the Tuna.com
By Capt. Rob Bouley
So I was lucky enough to sit down with the Captain of the F/V Tuna.com and ask him a few questions. In between people stopping by to say hello or shake his hand I got his attention and was able to grab Dave after a day of fishing! I must say that it was impressive to see the way Dave was gracious to every person that came up to him….with every single person, he took the time to take pictures, shake hands and chat.
Dave had pushed off that morning at 2:15 am and it was now 6:30pm and he was just getting off of the F/V Tuna.com.
Capt. Rob Bouley BFBO: So Dave, when and where did you start your career in tuna fishing?
Capt. Dave Carraro: I starting tuna fishing back in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey at the age of about 13 years old, actually it was at the age of 11. I worked on a couple of party boats and then graduated to a few sport fishing boats and canyon fishing and that’s when I started to fish for giant bluefin.
Capt. Rob BFBO: Dave, do you have a mentor that kind of took you under his wing?
Capt. Dave: I absolutely did and still do! It was a captain of a party boat called the Seafox and his name is Don Hager. Growing up and fishing with him I always thought he was a mean old man. Everything on the boat always had to be perfect, in its place and completely cleaned. But now that I am on my own I get what he was doing for me and there is no question that the things he taught me have made me into a very successful fisherman. He was always on my case to work hard, get here early and stay late. But he showed me what it takes to get to where I am today.
Capt. Rob BFBO: Dave, last year the entire fleet had a slow season but you still seemed to do very well and year in and year out you are always on the top no matter what the fishing conditions are. What do you attribute that to?
Capt. Dave: A lot of people tell us that we are lucky on the Tuna.com. I don’t believe in luck and it is just a word in the dictionary. Fishing is all about hard work, perseverance and the determination to succeed. Of course what we do on the boat also plays a big factor. How we rig baits, what we use and when to use them. My crew is also very important as well. I am only as good as my crew and I have one of the best. When other guys are in bed we are steaming out. Itâs hard work and knowledge. Knowledge is also a key element to our success.
Capt Rob BFBO: Dave, you have tuna fished for many, many years and it must cause some wear and tear on you. Do you still really enjoy tuna fishing or is it now like a job for you?
Capt. Dave: ABSOLUTELY, I enjoy it! The first giant bluefin I caught was over two decades ago at age 13 and that feeling I got then is the same feeling I get even on every fish…it never gets old. Itâs always like the first one. The honeymoon is never over. That is what keeps me going.
Capt Rob BFBO: Dave, with the success for the hit National Geographic show âWicked Tuna,â and as the top guy on the show tell me how has “Wicked Tuna” changed your life?
Capt Dave: For me the best thing about the show are the kids. The show is a family fun show and kids love it. I hear from kids around the world and that is pretty cool. Families are down at the boat all the time, and itâs like Iâm a super hero to them. Itâs pretty wild. Also, being able to do a lot of charity work… for kids that are sick or in need. Whether itâs as simple as giving a t-shirt or going to an event or even donating a charter to a cause. It makes all the tough parts for being on the show well worth it.
Capt Rob BFBO: On âWickedâ¨Tuna,â how do you think they portray the F/V Tuna.com and Capt. Dave Carraro?
Capt Dave: Everyone can form their own opinions. People just need to remember that itâs TV and not everything you see is real. All the fishing is real along with all the fish that we get, but some of the stuff is taken out of context and edited. Sometimes you don’t see or hear the whole story and you don’t get everything. Sometimes you only see the end and not the beginning or the middle and in those cases we can be portrayed in a negative way. But we signed up for it and its reality TV, so they say and we do what they tell us and Iâm looking forward to another season as we do really enjoy it.
Capt Rob BFBO: Dave, this article and piece will be featured in the Coastal Angler Tournament edition about the 2014 Bluefin Blowout, can you tell us a little bit about the tournament, why you enter it every year and take it on.
Capt Dave: I love the Bluefin Blowout…It seems to really be taking off and Iâm one of the most competitive guys out there. The Bluefin Blowout is attracting some of the East Coastâs best fishermen and it is really fun to go up against them. I go in every year thinking Iâm going to win… I feel the Bluefin Blowout is one of the best run tournaments up this way. It is a weekend event that offers people a chance to come out and go to a Brewfest and a cruise to see one of America’s oldest seaports. The public is allowed to come and watch as giant bluefin are raised up and weighed at a pretty impressive stage…itâs all really cool. I enjoy hanging out with guys that I only see on the water but have no idea who they are. I get to put a name and face to a boat which I really enjoy. Rob and Drew and their entire staff do a great job and I think this thing is only going to get bigger.
Capt Rob BFBO: Dave thanks so much for sitting down with me and being so open. As a giant bluefin fisherman myself does this now mean that you will share some of your great intel with us??
Capt Dave: Sure I will share anything you would like (laughing). Not that the numbers will be right or the bait that I tell you to use will work but that’s how I keep my competitive edge. Thanks, Rob, it was great talking with you and I can’t wait to hang the winning fish!!
Check out the F/V Tuna.com on National Geographic’s “Wicked Tuna.”
Scaled to size? Carraro looking like bait next to his massive Bluefin.
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