I'm a commercial shrimper in Alabama. It's a hard life, but some of us find it very rewarding. Like Mike said, we are getting choked out by imports. We aren't greedy, just a little needy. BUY LOCAL! If you don't have local shrimp, make sure you purchase wild caught American! shrimp!!
commercial scalloper (now), but started out shrimping in the pamlico sound. you couldn't pay me enough to go back to picking up those worthless things, esp on a freezer boat. the _only_ way to shrimp is to hook the lazy lines to the net reel & let the reel do the work for you. the boat they're showing here is definitely old, but she's made a many of dollar.
I always thought of it like driving a tractor in big circles. and after 23 years of pounding nails , driving a boat till the sun comes up was the best .
Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. There's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it.
I'm a louisiana girl since birth. My dad flew crop dusters but worked on shrimpers in-between crops. It was such a wonderful life. We were always healthy and brown. They used to have these guys parked along the roads that sold fresh shrimp, crawfish and oysters out of their trucks. They sold stuff by the bushel or half bushel and everything was in a burlap bag. God i miss those days. When my dad was on the boats, he brought me things like octopus and such. What happened to us?
My dad (RIP) worked as a shrimper and skippered several boats during the 60's, 70's, 80's, and part of the 90's. He shrimped out of Key West, FL., South Carolina, and Sneads Ferry, NC.
I worked on a long line halibut boat in Alaska in 1970. I loved it. This made my evening mate. I am 73 retired in Hawaii. Thanks for the great show braddah. ❤
Always happy to see good people being recognized and I hope the locals support this operation. When a business cares about the community means the world to me
Isn't that such a great idea to have a shrimp boil?! Looks like the local support is starting to coming in now that they're going out on a regular schedule :)
I was part of a Coast Guard Patrol Boat crew in 1993 out of Group Mobile (Gulfport, MS to Apalachicola, Fl) when climbing aboard these vessels we’d either see flippers and blowholes or fins and teeth as we jumped from the RHIB to the transom. We kept the night-time schedule for boardings and used the daylight to transit to the next fishing ground. We got about 4 hrs sleep a day for 14 days at a time. Turtle Excluding Devices (TED’s) were controversial at that time, and I was amazed at the amount of bycatch caught in the nets back then. It looks like the bycatch reduction devices being used today are doing there jobs, too. These are hard working folks and I have a lot of respect for the work they do.
I know some people hate the thought of using fish excluders. They see it as a hole in the webbing, and what they fail to realize is fish and shrimp swim a different pace. If a boat isn't going fast enough. Shrimp are going to swim out of a trawl anyway.
The giving back to the community bit, that's a lot of love and respect out there. If everyone knew how hard they work...and thanks to this channel, now they know. ❤❤❤
These guys are hard working great people! This video shows the sun filled beautiful days out at sea. my father was a commercial clammer and I had a AWESOME childhood growing up on the water. Dont be fooled, the sea can be a very dangerous place in all types of weather. I remember the winter months especially. Never felt cold like those days. Wind constantly blowing, waves taller than the boat! I miss that life. wonderful summer times, cold and relentless winters. i can remember my dad saying to me, "the cold is coming". Ya dont have to worry much about the cold in florida, but when the weather comes in, its a whole different world. Thanks for the video, brought back a lot of memories.
Hi Bob, thanks for stopping by and nice to hear this video brought back some childhood memories :) The stories these guys have told me about bad weather experiences were crazy 🤯 Looks like they've all had their "lucky to be alive" moments. As you know, that's just how it is for the commercial fishermen.
I'm a shrimper in dulac Louisiana an it is rough because of all the imported shrimp for us to make a living don't buy imported buy local an fresh or u will get sick no telling what they did to the imported shrimp support your local seafood family
Wow! Thank you for this. I worked on a Key West shrimp boat when I was 19 (the Jim Doolin) way back in 79. We used to dock behind the Half Shell and spent our money at the Mascot. Great memories.
Everyone who eats seafood, meat, or vegetables needs to spend some time with the people who harvest these items. Maybe they'll get the idea of how much HARD work is involved. Way too many people don't know what real hard work is. All they know is the easy convenience of ordering or driving to the grocery store! Hats off to all of you! You are not forgotten!
Great video showing us good honest hard-working decent folk and the community who are united at the end of each trip, as a proud Aussie I am privileged to say God bless America
Capt Marc, the entire crew, and Luna are absolute legends! I love visiting the Keys and buying shrimp from the seafood market near the airport in Marathon. The drone shots are amazing 👍
I have been here in Jacksonville, FL since the late 1970's. I remember when we would go to the beach at night you see dozens of shrimp boat lights out of Mayport, Fl. Now you do not see so many boats working off shore at night. It is sad that we have lost this industry here in America. I hope these men in Key West do great & the fleet comes back. PJ
what an awesome adventure you got to take and getting to know the crew on a personal level is so rewarding.. thanks for sharing and I'm happy they allowed you that opportunity
I am a commercial fisherman based out of San Francisco. You should do a episode or two on the commercial fisheries that we have here. Mostly Dungeness crab and king salmon (which is currently experiencing a BS closure)
Those are two I def wanna film! Could you please email me your info? If it all works out, I'd love to come out and learn more about your way of life. www.scottcgerke.com/contact
Hey man I know this is a two week old comment but I live in San Jose and have been trying to make seafood boils for a while. Where can I go in SF to ensure that I’m supporting local fisherman when getting seafood?
I’ve watched this video twice in two day. Capt. Mark need his own 30 min video going deep into his lore and packed with stories from times past. David and WG are beasts and also need there own sections in the same video. Being 10-15 min a piece. Such an awesome video. Fantastic job Scott!!
I enjoy the trip never know it was so much work but the men are very loving and friendly they cooperate very well together I love the dog he is also friendly my heart goes out to the guy who had to leave his child hood life to go on the boat may God continue to bless them immensely blessings always
In 1965 I hired on the Southern Pride ,a 73' wood hull out of Aransas Pass,TX. I was the header in a crew of 3. 1st trip was to be 5-7 days. 31 days later a Gulf of Mexico storm pushed us into Cameron,LA. Lots to tell! Texas A&M Sea Grant published a book called "The Texas Shrimper". Nails it as does your video! Great job!!
@davidmckee1097. I boarded the Southern Pride that was on the hook just north of Ellis Rock, north of the Marquesas Keys. waiting for a repairman to come out and fix their radar. Captain was a guy named Heavy. We were on a 35 foot boat the Raxter fishing Yellowtail snapper. I wonder if it was the same Southern Pride. This was in 1984 or 85. They were fishing out of Marathon and I never saw the home port on transom. It was a freezer boat, probably converted. US Customs and DEA came on us after we left Heavy's boat and went back to our fishing spot. Said they were looking for large quantity of pot and cocaine and there had been allot of activity in that area recently. They came up in a very quiet all black Pantera gofast boat and had watched us with radar and night vision scope go to the Southern Pride and then leave after an an hour or so. Yep. Those were the days.
Nice video man. I do some commercial shrimp trawling off the coast of SC using a 25' Parker to pull a 40' trawl net. We don't have the option of trawling for shrimp at night. We're allowed to trawl from sunrise to sunset. The rules are different here. Thanks for the awesome video.
wow, that just may be the side of the country I move to if i ever become a shrimper. I never really had time to get used to their work schedule 😵💫 Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the video :)
Oliver! Hope you and Steph are doing well. I like seeing my favorite youtubers out and about on the web. It's kind of like seeing family out at the grocery store, only it don't matter if I look like a troll right now lol
Real men , working hard. Our nation is full of them . People take for granted so many things and never give a thought to what they eat or the roof they live under . Our nation was built and runs because of men like these and I’m proud to call myself one of them !
Fantastic video -- learned so much -- have nothing but positive feelings for the crew and captain and their efforts -- I can't imagine the challenges of continuing such a honored tradition - men and women of such character are the backbone of this nation - thanks for all they do and letting us see their efforts up close and personal
This is such a great documentary. When I go to the market I only buy shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico. The quality and taste are the best. I forgo any shrimp that are not caught in U.S. waters as the ones over seas from shrimp farms are loaded with chemicals and antibiotics. I'll gladly pay more for peace of mind. Thanks shrimpers for your heard work and dedication!
I live in Massachusetts, and I thought I knew what good shrimp was. After going to Florida and eating Pink Gulf shrimp I'll never eat anything else. They have a remarkable taste all their own. Thanks to all those shrimpers working long hours.
ah cool, there was a biologist on the king mackerel video I did. Crazy how she just jumped on the boat with us for a few days and that was the first time we had met. Is that how you worked as well?
What an amazing documentary! People need to know where their food comes from! Thank you! Also, please extend a thank you to the Captain and his crew! God bless!
I'm amazed that people continue to eat foreign raised shrimp that are full of chemicals and never tested. Florida wild caught shrimp have a great taste. Thanks Shrimpers.
Here out West from Albertsons to Costco all you see in their fridges are foreign imported shrimps. Whatever cheap they stock them up in the freezer and later sell them to the public. The wild shrimps our fishermen caught in the Gulf hardly made it out here.
I worked the ( Grosse Comme Ca ) and The ( Sugar Bird ) . Built up to 11 foot trawl boards and dummy doors for Galle' trawl boards . Sewed all types and sizes of trawls and Louisiana Mamou nets for Fishermans net and supply in New Orleans back in the early 1980s. I popped heads off shrimp for 16 hrs a day while working those big boats. Tough life but loved it ! Bonjour de Louisiane amis partout !
As a 6th generation Floridian I appreciate and enjoy your vids on the commercial fishing of the gulf. Shouting out from Manatee county. Sarasota sucks Yankees and snobby rich and famous.
My son and I went out to help a friend when we were visiting in Louisiana. He had a really nice shrimp boat. Let me tell you something, that job is rough as hell. Hats off to the shrimpers. They don’t get paid for the shrimp like they should. Government brings in all these crappy oriental shrimp when our shrimpers suffer.
Thanks so much for showing me this fantastic video these men work hard for there money to catch the shrimp nothing better than fresh shrimp cheers guys 😊😊😊😊😊
Awesome! I lived on the Texas coast in a little drinking village called San Leon. I knew lots of shrimpers that lived there, but most of them just shrimped in Galveston Bay. The few guys I knew that shrimped in the Gulf docked their boats in other places. In the years I lived there I saw the Texas shrimping industry under attack by politicians who favored the foreign imported shrimp. Each year the Texas shrimpers made less money, because the shrimp importers were getting tax breaks and the locals weren't. Cheap imported shrimp hurt Texas shrimp prices and many boats went bankrupt. TP&W has a program where they will buy any shrimp or crab license back, but they will never again sell those licenses. They are slowly eliminating the local fish market in favor of cheap Chinese and other Asian imports! I'm an old man, but I could possibly see the end of Texas commercial fishing in my lifetime!
Nice of the boys to let you on their boat while they were working. They were good guys. I lespecially like the feed the community thing that will keep everyone happy and on side. 👍
Had a chance to go out on a swordfish boat for a week when I was in my 20s. The captain said there is no turning back if you get seasick. I chickened out and regret it to this day!
oh man, but those long days out at sea can really put a hurtin on you if you're not prepared! My first day out was a doozy. Ya know, sounds like your due for another try!
This is my first time to watch on your UA-cam channel. Great content. This is a kind of vlog that should be supported by everyone. Now a subscriber. Thanks.
This just in: One of the investors on this boat just pulled out and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help get this boat shrimping again. If you'd like to help, please visit gofund.me/036472c7 or if you're interested in purchasing shrimp from their current suppliers, you can visit their website: southeasternshrimp.com/ And they deliver all across the country! I'm always adding pics and vids that didn't make it in the video on my other socials if you'd like to check that out. www.tiktok.com/@scottcgerke facebook.com/scottcgerke instagram.com/scottcgerke Also, I've got a newsletter that I send out every once in awhile with updates and extra chatter: eepurl.com/duTeH5 Thanks for watching and cheers to learning something new!
We build those "doors" there typically called trawl doors. We build roughly 50 sets a year. We built the outriggers on that boat.. those doors create a drag and spread the net open. The tickler chain flicks the shrimp up off the bottom. We do most of the steel fabrication at my shop in Tampa for the shrimp boats that run out of Tampa.
@@jordanwilson3618 cool to hear from the person who builds all of that! Thanks for the info on each part of the dragging system, too. I never did ask what the tickler chain does.
Great video! My grandfather was the first Norwegian shrimper to settle on Fort Myers Beach in the '50's. He owned and skippered several boats over the years, sometimes single-handed. In those days before freezer boats, the holds were filled with shaved ice and the shrimp were packed whole as they were caught. Once you got back to the docks, the shrimp and ice were vacuumed out and the shrimp were graded and headed on the packing line in the fish house. I used to love when took me there as a kid. Those owners and skippers could really poor-mouth over a cup of coffee and a cigarette back then. Probably still the same way today.
Cool video. I'm from Charleston, SC and love low country boils. I can taste the difference between local shrimp and imported shrimp. Support these guys and try to buy local.
My first time on your channel. This story was great. I sport fished Key West for many years. Sometimes we would trade beer for their bycatch which we used for chum. Often we would buy some of their catch which was so fresh and delicious. A hard life for those hearty souls.
That was awesome, Scott! Keep up the good work! Enjoyed the heck out of playing pickleball with you at Higgs beach! Dream team, baby! Lol Paddle Up! Carin
My dad was a shimper in the gulf, out of Texas. He used to be gone for weeks at a time, then come home with a trash bad full of 6-7 inch long, huge shrimp. I loved it!! One time during the off season, he took us all out on his shrimp boat and he was piss drunk. He got it stuck on a sand-bar and we had to walk to shore, the water was up to my nose, I was scared as fuck! Needless to say, I never went back out with him and I think he got in trouble lol
Amazing video mate! Im a Dutch guy currently in Cairns, Australia. Day after tomorrow I fly to Karumba for my first experience as a fishing deck hand to catch Tiger Prawns. Gonna be on the sea for three months. Thanks for this excellent video about the life of a fisherman. Very informational and intriguing! Does somebody have any tips? Particularly regarding the sleep schedule? Cant wait tho! Buzzing!
Woo hoo, I wish you all the best out there! From my experience, bring some comforts of home with you. Be in snacks, pillow, pictures, etc. to help you with being out for three months. As for sleep schedule, try to get some sleep as soon as there is downtime, regardless of how excited you are. I didn't sleep for 24hrs because everything was new and too excited to fall asleep. That messed me up for the next couple of days. Find a sleeping pattern and stick to it. I'm sure the regulars will show you the ropes. Fair winds and following seas to ya!!!
🎉awesome video! I live in Florida and it’s great to see always had a fantasy about working on a shrimp boat for a summer almost had a chance, but I missed it when I was younger. Thank you again.
After watching this video I promise you I will buy American wild caught gulf shrimp from now on. Even though it costs a lot more. These guys deserve every penny they make and I’m gonna help them out. American workers at their best 💯💯
This was a awesome video! I live here in Thunderbolt Ga. and have the luxury of having Nelson's Shrimp down the road from me. Ol' "Buddy Nelson" and Jay are two jam up dudes! and let me not fail to mention Tan and his crew! Best Ga. Whites on the planet!
This was an interesting look at that industry, and it seems like you picked a great Captain, crew, dog, and boat to document your experience. A hard working, laid back group of guys, and their commitment to the local, patriotic, small business aspect of their operation is admirable. Thx for sharing this experience with anyone who’s watched it.
My first job out of welding school was working on shrimping boats out of Fort Myers FLA. but then we went to Freeport TX. for the season there, it’s a tough business!
When I was 19 in 1976 I drove to Alaska and my first job there was being the only deck hand on a shrimp boat. We used shrimp pots on long lines. I did everything from chopping bait to picking shrimp. One of the best jobs I ever had.
To hear those hard working men talk about how much they love our great country is a message that needs to be shared more often. Thank you shrimpers!
I'm a commercial shrimper in Alabama. It's a hard life, but some of us find it very rewarding. Like Mike said, we are getting choked out by imports. We aren't greedy, just a little needy. BUY LOCAL! If you don't have local shrimp, make sure you purchase wild caught American! shrimp!!
That’s all I buy I refuse to buy imported foreign shrimp.
I only eat wild caught Gulf shrimps. All those farm raised are loaded up with chemicals to keep them alive.
Seems like American shrimp taste different and not in the good way
commercial scalloper (now), but started out shrimping in the pamlico sound. you couldn't pay me enough to go back to picking up those worthless things, esp on a freezer boat. the _only_ way to shrimp is to hook the lazy lines to the net reel & let the reel do the work for you. the boat they're showing here is definitely old, but she's made a many of dollar.
I’m going yup I’m gonna be in a little while
These shrimpers/commercial fishermen are like farmers and truckers…they are the backbone of America! God bless and protect them.
I fiends that it’s the same for Canada and USA for shrimping
I always thought of it like driving a tractor in big circles. and after 23 years of pounding nails , driving a boat till the sun comes up was the best .
Thank you for those words!!
AMEN TO THAT MY FRIEND
I worked for little Mark for years he truly is one of the best captains out there and he always catches glad to see he's still doing good
i wanna get into it do u have contact info
He seems like a nice honest guy. I hope he can retire and enjoy the sea in a more recreational way
he's such a kind soul :) cool to hear you got to work with him.
@@ScottGerkehello my friend
@@lionelarestide5817 👋!
Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. There's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it.
Is that you Forrest?
bubba?!
You forgot one more thing…shrimp cologne
Ceviche ❤ 😂
Bubba
I'm a louisiana girl since birth. My dad flew crop dusters but worked on shrimpers in-between crops. It was such a wonderful life. We were always healthy and brown. They used to have these guys parked along the roads that sold fresh shrimp, crawfish and oysters out of their trucks. They sold stuff by the bushel or half bushel and everything was in a burlap bag. God i miss those days. When my dad was on the boats, he brought me things like octopus and such. What happened to us?
Wow. That was a pleasure to read. I wish you the very best and hope good and affordable seafood flows readily your way. Amen.
Same in Australia today, all boats will sell to anyone who shows up when they get back. Cash only of course...
My dad (RIP) worked as a shrimper and skippered several boats during the 60's, 70's, 80's, and part of the 90's. He shrimped out of Key West, FL., South Carolina, and Sneads Ferry, NC.
Probably the most chilled crew I've watched. No yelling no bickering just enjoy what they do.
One thing I learned in almost 2 decades of fishing on offshore fishing boats. Is attitude makes the difference!!!.
Wild Bill, is that you?
@@JSp4wN my name is Steve and I'm from Rhode Island. I've heard of that name on deadliest catch. But never in the real life
I worked on a long line halibut boat in Alaska in 1970. I loved it. This made my evening mate. I am 73 retired in Hawaii. Thanks for the great show braddah. ❤
Put a huge smile on my face real Americans caring for each other and their community. Big thank you to all of the hard working men in this video.
Always happy to see good people being recognized and I hope the locals support this operation. When a business cares about the community means the world to me
Isn't that such a great idea to have a shrimp boil?! Looks like the local support is starting to coming in now that they're going out on a regular schedule :)
I sure won't complain about the price of seafood...Good luck to these hardworking Americans..
Their dog is such an adorable sweetheart. My goodness what a furry bundle of joy.
That’s my best friend from Key West, Jimmy Phelps!!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 so proud of you Bubba!
I was part of a Coast Guard Patrol Boat crew in 1993 out of Group Mobile (Gulfport, MS to Apalachicola, Fl) when climbing aboard these vessels we’d either see flippers and blowholes or fins and teeth as we jumped from the RHIB to the transom. We kept the night-time schedule for boardings and used the daylight to transit to the next fishing ground. We got about 4 hrs sleep a day for 14 days at a time. Turtle Excluding Devices (TED’s) were controversial at that time, and I was amazed at the amount of bycatch caught in the nets back then. It looks like the bycatch reduction devices being used today are doing there jobs, too. These are hard working folks and I have a lot of respect for the work they do.
I know some people hate the thought of using fish excluders. They see it as a hole in the webbing, and what they fail to realize is fish and shrimp swim a different pace. If a boat isn't going fast enough. Shrimp are going to swim out of a trawl anyway.
The giving back to the community bit, that's a lot of love and respect out there. If everyone knew how hard they work...and thanks to this channel, now they know. ❤❤❤
Ai ....!!//¡//.¡//.-----------;;_______________;---------;;;¡//.
@@mohdfahmi8841🎉🎉0😊😊
These guys are hard working great people! This video shows the sun filled beautiful days out at sea. my father was a commercial clammer and I had a AWESOME childhood growing up on the water. Dont be fooled, the sea can be a very dangerous place in all types of weather. I remember the winter months especially. Never felt cold like those days. Wind constantly blowing, waves taller than the boat! I miss that life. wonderful summer times, cold and relentless winters. i can remember my dad saying to me, "the cold is coming". Ya dont have to worry much about the cold in florida, but when the weather comes in, its a whole different world. Thanks for the video, brought back a lot of memories.
Hi Bob, thanks for stopping by and nice to hear this video brought back some childhood memories :) The stories these guys have told me about bad weather experiences were crazy 🤯 Looks like they've all had their "lucky to be alive" moments. As you know, that's just how it is for the commercial fishermen.
I AM A FLORIDA CRACKER I SEEN IT SNOW AND FREEZE A FEW TIMES
I'm a shrimper in dulac Louisiana an it is rough because of all the imported shrimp for us to make a living don't buy imported buy local an fresh or u will get sick no telling what they did to the imported shrimp support your local seafood family
These guys are some of the most well spoken commercial fishermen I've ever heard speak
Wow! Thank you for this. I worked on a Key West shrimp boat when I was 19 (the Jim Doolin) way back in 79. We used to dock behind the Half Shell and spent our money at the Mascot. Great memories.
Oh wow, I’m sure you’ve got a ton of stories!
Oh yeah. Key West in the seventies. What a time and what a place. So glad I survived it. @@ScottGerke
Lived in the Keys and got buckets of shrimp any night I wanted!!!
This was awesome to see the skill of these hardworking crew members doing what they love in their element!
Wow catching the shot of the dolphins waiting for scraps to be pushed off the boat is awesome! Never seen anything like that before! 8:16
Thank you guys for all you do. We so appreciate you!!
Everyone who eats seafood, meat, or vegetables needs to spend some time with the people who harvest these items. Maybe they'll get the idea of how much HARD work is involved. Way too many people don't know what real hard work is. All they know is the easy convenience of ordering or driving to the grocery store! Hats off to all of you! You are not forgotten!
Great video showing us good honest hard-working decent folk and the community who are united at the end of each trip, as a proud Aussie I am privileged to say God bless America
that dog is the most important person on that ship, its amazing
Are the fresh caught shrimp put in same area on boat where fisherman walking & doggie laying around??? Just curious
They took a dog with them😂
@sleo6664 yes and you do realize the ocean is probably dirtier than them or the dog
Capt Marc, the entire crew, and Luna are absolute legends! I love visiting the Keys and buying shrimp from the seafood market near the airport in Marathon. The drone shots are amazing 👍
thank you so much for stopping by to share that with me 😊 They really are an awesome crew
I have been here in Jacksonville, FL since the late 1970's. I remember when we would go to the beach at night you see dozens of shrimp boat lights out of Mayport, Fl. Now you do not see so many boats working off shore at night. It is sad that we have lost this industry here in America. I hope these men in Key West do great & the fleet comes back. PJ
Dam government restrctions and imports they want.
home town babyyyy we’re all moved out now tho that town went to shit we been there since 91
@@evanducheny807 Is this directed at my comment as I'm not sure what you are trying to say? PJ
what an awesome adventure you got to take and getting to know the crew on a personal level is so rewarding.. thanks for sharing and I'm happy they allowed you that opportunity
I'm very grateful for the experience and glad I got to share their world with everyone :)
Much respect to this hard working crew! We love our shrimp. God bless yall. Thank you for what you do. ❤
AMEN TO THAT MY FRIEND
This is awesome! Really love the commercial fishing videos. Educational AND entertaining
woo hoo! Now that's what I like to hear! Thanks for stopping by and sharing that with me 🙌
its not just the content its the way you do the fishing content. This is just a great format and I can not wait for more of them.
I will keep buying them. Thank you.
Great idea on filming this for all the people to see the hard work that goes into harvesting shrimp from a shrimp boat,hats off to these guys!!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
That little dog is a sweetheart lol awesome documentary, I love the handouts at the dock too!
Luna is such a great boat dog! Thanks for stopping by :)
I am a commercial fisherman based out of San Francisco. You should do a episode or two on the commercial fisheries that we have here. Mostly Dungeness crab and king salmon (which is currently experiencing a BS closure)
Those are two I def wanna film! Could you please email me your info? If it all works out, I'd love to come out and learn more about your way of life. www.scottcgerke.com/contact
Hey man I know this is a two week old comment but I live in San Jose and have been trying to make seafood boils for a while. Where can I go in SF to ensure that I’m supporting local fisherman when getting seafood?
I’ve watched this video twice in two day. Capt. Mark need his own 30 min video going deep into his lore and packed with stories from times past. David and WG are beasts and also need there own sections in the same video. Being 10-15 min a piece. Such an awesome video. Fantastic job Scott!!
you got that right!!
Thanks you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge of what we need to do and how shrimp get to our tables.aloha from Hawaii
I enjoy the trip never know it was so much work but the men are very loving and friendly they cooperate very well together I love the dog he is also friendly my heart goes out to the guy who had to leave his child hood life to go on the boat may God continue to bless them immensely blessings always
In 1965 I hired on the Southern Pride ,a 73' wood hull out of Aransas Pass,TX. I was the header in a crew of 3. 1st trip was to be 5-7 days. 31 days later a Gulf of Mexico storm pushed us into Cameron,LA. Lots to tell! Texas A&M Sea Grant published a book called "The Texas Shrimper". Nails it as does your video! Great job!!
wowzers, what a story!
@davidmckee1097. I boarded the Southern Pride that was on the hook just north of Ellis Rock, north of the Marquesas Keys. waiting for a repairman to come out and fix their radar. Captain was a guy named Heavy. We were on a 35 foot boat the Raxter fishing Yellowtail snapper. I wonder if it was the same Southern Pride. This was in 1984 or 85.
They were fishing out of Marathon and I never saw the home port on transom. It was a freezer boat, probably converted. US Customs and DEA came on us after we left Heavy's boat and went back to our fishing spot. Said they were looking for large quantity of pot and cocaine and there had been allot of activity in that area recently. They came up in a very quiet all black Pantera gofast boat and had watched us with radar and night vision scope go to the Southern Pride and then leave after an an hour or so. Yep. Those were the days.
@@11bravo18 woooooooooow!
Nice video man. I do some commercial shrimp trawling off the coast of SC using a 25' Parker to pull a 40' trawl net. We don't have the option of trawling for shrimp at night. We're allowed to trawl from sunrise to sunset. The rules are different here. Thanks for the awesome video.
wow, that just may be the side of the country I move to if i ever become a shrimper. I never really had time to get used to their work schedule 😵💫
Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the video :)
Oliver! Hope you and Steph are doing well. I like seeing my favorite youtubers out and about on the web. It's kind of like seeing family out at the grocery store, only it don't matter if I look like a troll right now lol
@@ScottGerke I love their work schedule lol. I've worked 12 night shifts for 20+ years. You get used to it eventually
I've watched your videos. I'm somewhat near you
@@ScottGerke Shrimpin Ain't Easy! LOL
Real men , working hard. Our nation is full of them . People take for granted so many things and never give a thought to what they eat or the roof they live under . Our nation was built and runs because of men like these and I’m proud to call myself one of them !
Everything will be fine and you will shine like a rising star with great success and wealth
Fantastic video -- learned so much -- have nothing but positive feelings for the crew and captain and their efforts -- I can't imagine the challenges of continuing such a honored tradition - men and women of such character are the backbone of this nation - thanks for all they do and letting us see their efforts up close and personal
Sounds like both of us have a whole new respect for this line of work, huh?
Wow I had no idea what shrimping was like. I do admire these men. Thank you very much.
cheers to learning something new!
This is such a great documentary. When I go to the market I only buy shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico. The quality and taste are the best. I forgo any shrimp that are not caught in U.S. waters as the ones over seas from shrimp farms are loaded with chemicals and antibiotics. I'll gladly pay more for peace of mind. Thanks shrimpers for your heard work and dedication!
Thanks a bunch for stopping by!
AMEN TO THAT MY FRIEND
I live in Massachusetts, and I thought I knew what good shrimp was. After going to Florida and eating Pink Gulf shrimp I'll never eat anything else. They have a remarkable taste all their own. Thanks to all those shrimpers working long hours.
you should try Texas Blue crab...best in the world. Don't eat that Cheaspeake bay junk there's no flavor in it at all...
I was a biologist who spent some time on shrimp boats off Key West and Gulf. I remember when brine freezers were new.
ah cool, there was a biologist on the king mackerel video I did. Crazy how she just jumped on the boat with us for a few days and that was the first time we had met. Is that how you worked as well?
What an amazing documentary! People need to know where their food comes from!
Thank you!
Also, please extend a thank you to the Captain and his crew!
God bless!
This is my first video from you. I can already see you will go far as long u put the work in. Amazing work
Thank you so much! The world is so fascinating and if ppl are willing to let me learn more about them, I'm ready to tell their story.
Scott, thanks for putting this together, very enlightening.
I'm amazed that people continue to eat foreign raised shrimp that are full of chemicals and never tested. Florida wild caught shrimp have a great taste. Thanks Shrimpers.
Same as people in Australia, we have an amazing prawning industry but people still buy frozen vannamei prawns from China, Thailand etc
Here out West from Albertsons to Costco all you see in their fridges are foreign imported shrimps. Whatever cheap they stock them up in the freezer and later sell them to the public. The wild shrimps our fishermen caught in the Gulf hardly made it out here.
Wildcaught is SO much better!!! 👌🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊😊
Because the government controls our food with regulations so they can keep us sick to make their profit in the pharmaceutical industry.
I dont buy those imports.
I used to shrimp out of Aransas pass tx I loved it the money great depends t the ice boat or freezer boat
I worked the ( Grosse Comme Ca ) and The ( Sugar Bird ) . Built up to 11 foot trawl boards and dummy doors for Galle' trawl boards . Sewed all types and sizes of trawls and Louisiana Mamou nets for Fishermans net and supply in New Orleans back in the early 1980s. I popped heads off shrimp for 16 hrs a day while working those big boats. Tough life but loved it ! Bonjour de Louisiane amis partout !
wow, so you're no stranger to this line of work! What an experience!
First time I’ve seen one of your videos Scott, I really enjoyed it. The captain and crew were great. Keep up the good work my friend.
Thanks Dale! :)
As a 6th generation Floridian I appreciate and enjoy your vids on the commercial fishing of the gulf. Shouting out from Manatee county. Sarasota sucks Yankees and snobby rich and famous.
Hot diggity, 6th generation?! A true Floridian right there!
No greater tasting food on earth than fresh wild caught jumbo shrimp from Florida's Atlantic waters.
My son and I went out to help a friend when we were visiting in Louisiana. He had a really nice shrimp boat. Let me tell you something, that job is rough as hell. Hats off to the shrimpers. They don’t get paid for the shrimp like they should. Government brings in all these crappy oriental shrimp when our shrimpers suffer.
whew wee, tough life for sure!! 🤯
Thanks so much for showing me this fantastic video these men work hard for there money to catch the shrimp nothing better than fresh shrimp cheers guys 😊😊😊😊😊
Awesome! I lived on the Texas coast in a little drinking village called San Leon. I knew lots of shrimpers that lived there, but most of them just shrimped in Galveston Bay. The few guys I knew that shrimped in the Gulf docked their boats in other places. In the years I lived there I saw the Texas shrimping industry under attack by politicians who favored the foreign imported shrimp. Each year the Texas shrimpers made less money, because the shrimp importers were getting tax breaks and the locals weren't. Cheap imported shrimp hurt Texas shrimp prices and many boats went bankrupt. TP&W has a program where they will buy any shrimp or crab license back, but they will never again sell those licenses. They are slowly eliminating the local fish market in favor of cheap Chinese and other Asian imports! I'm an old man, but I could possibly see the end of Texas commercial fishing in my lifetime!
what I'd like to better understand is WHY the government allows all of these imports. It all seems fishy to me, pun intended.
Nice of the boys to let you on their boat while they were working. They were good guys. I lespecially like the feed the community thing that will keep everyone happy and on side. 👍
Had a chance to go out on a swordfish boat for a week when I was in my 20s. The captain said there is no turning back if you get seasick. I chickened out and regret it to this day!
oh man, but those long days out at sea can really put a hurtin on you if you're not prepared! My first day out was a doozy. Ya know, sounds like your due for another try!
I cant believe how calm those Gulf waters are
right?! whew thank goodness!
This is my first time to watch on your UA-cam channel. Great content. This is a kind of vlog that should be supported by everyone. Now a subscriber. Thanks.
Woo hoo! Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy what I've got in the works!
From now on-I’m buying nothing but US harvest shrimp
Thank you for making this video, and thank you to the fisherman supporting this county.
you're welcome and glad you enjoyed the video!
cool to finally see this!
Now I can finally tell everyone that I made it on the shrimp boat that I've been talking about FOREVER! haha
i've always wanted to get into commercial fishing/shrimping! looks so fun and challenging
this is your calling!
This just in: One of the investors on this boat just pulled out and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help get this boat shrimping again. If you'd like to help, please visit gofund.me/036472c7 or if you're interested in purchasing shrimp from their current suppliers, you can visit their website: southeasternshrimp.com/
And they deliver all across the country!
I'm always adding pics and vids that didn't make it in the video on my other socials if you'd like to check that out.
www.tiktok.com/@scottcgerke
facebook.com/scottcgerke
instagram.com/scottcgerke
Also, I've got a newsletter that I send out every once in awhile with updates and extra chatter: eepurl.com/duTeH5
Thanks for watching and cheers to learning something new!
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一..一
We build those "doors" there typically called trawl doors. We build roughly 50 sets a year. We built the outriggers on that boat.. those doors create a drag and spread the net open. The tickler chain flicks the shrimp up off the bottom. We do most of the steel fabrication at my shop in Tampa for the shrimp boats that run out of Tampa.
@@jordanwilson3618 cool to hear from the person who builds all of that! Thanks for the info on each part of the dragging system, too. I never did ask what the tickler chain does.
@@ScottGerke yea definitely a lot of stuff that goes into it. And it is not for everyone lol
Great video! My grandfather was the first Norwegian shrimper to settle on Fort Myers Beach in the '50's. He owned and skippered several boats over the years, sometimes single-handed. In those days before freezer boats, the holds were filled with shaved ice and the shrimp were packed whole as they were caught. Once you got back to the docks, the shrimp and ice were vacuumed out and the shrimp were graded and headed on the packing line in the fish house. I used to love when took me there as a kid. Those owners and skippers could really poor-mouth over a cup of coffee and a cigarette back then. Probably still the same way today.
Came across your episode and it was so much fun to watch! Thank you!
Awesome :) Thanks for stopping by!
Brilliant group of lads, proper caring atmosphere. Be safe 🙏🏻
Cool video. I'm from Charleston, SC and love low country boils. I can taste the difference between local shrimp and imported shrimp. Support these guys and try to buy local.
My first time on your channel. This story was great. I sport fished Key West for many years. Sometimes we would trade beer for their bycatch which we used for chum. Often we would buy some of their catch which was so fresh and delicious. A hard life for those hearty souls.
I have learned everything about the shrimp industry from Bubba, thanks.
That was awesome, Scott! Keep up the good work! Enjoyed the heck out of playing pickleball with you at Higgs beach! Dream team, baby! Lol Paddle Up! Carin
Heyyyyy Carin, my champion teammate! 🙌 It was great meeting you and hope to see ya again on the Pickleball Courts in Paradise again sometime!!
Really enjoyed watching your video. Great stuff. Thanks to all on the Miss Key West.
Thanks so much!
This reminds me of my days working on a shrimp boat, . Great video and what a great crew. Best of luck on all your drags.😆
My dad was a shimper in the gulf, out of Texas. He used to be gone for weeks at a time, then come home with a trash bad full of 6-7 inch long, huge shrimp. I loved it!! One time during the off season, he took us all out on his shrimp boat and he was piss drunk. He got it stuck on a sand-bar and we had to walk to shore, the water was up to my nose, I was scared as fuck! Needless to say, I never went back out with him and I think he got in trouble lol
Thx for the tour Capt Dan
Wow. Outstanding video! What an awesome crew.
Thank you so much!
What an awesome view of this way of life. Those men work their behinds off and seem happy while doing so.
right?!
27:45. THAT is beautifully articulated. Pride in ones work and country. God Bless America and her people.
That was a great line for sure. Powerful words spoken.
its funny because you could tell they sort of warmed up to him as the days passed by
Amazing video mate! Im a Dutch guy currently in Cairns, Australia. Day after tomorrow I fly to Karumba for my first experience as a fishing deck hand to catch Tiger Prawns. Gonna be on the sea for three months. Thanks for this excellent video about the life of a fisherman. Very informational and intriguing! Does somebody have any tips? Particularly regarding the sleep schedule? Cant wait tho! Buzzing!
Woo hoo, I wish you all the best out there! From my experience, bring some comforts of home with you. Be in snacks, pillow, pictures, etc. to help you with being out for three months. As for sleep schedule, try to get some sleep as soon as there is downtime, regardless of how excited you are. I didn't sleep for 24hrs because everything was new and too excited to fall asleep. That messed me up for the next couple of days. Find a sleeping pattern and stick to it. I'm sure the regulars will show you the ropes. Fair winds and following seas to ya!!!
@@ScottGerke Thanks a lot mate, highly appreciated! Fly in the morning. Lets goooo!💪
Awesome video and kudos to the owners and crew for doing what they do for the community. Pretty danged cool.
Cheers!
Whipple
Seems like a fun boat, great music choice, greats guys and a good pup!
🎉awesome video! I live in Florida and it’s great to see always had a fantasy about working on a shrimp boat for a summer almost had a chance, but I missed it when I was younger. Thank you again.
After watching this video I promise you I will buy American wild caught gulf shrimp from now on. Even though it costs a lot more. These guys deserve every penny they make and I’m gonna help them out. American workers at their best 💯💯
This was a awesome video! I live here in Thunderbolt Ga. and have the luxury of having Nelson's Shrimp down the road from me. Ol' "Buddy Nelson" and Jay are two jam up dudes! and let me not fail to mention Tan and his crew! Best Ga. Whites on the planet!
This was an interesting look at that industry, and it seems like you picked a great Captain, crew, dog, and boat to document your experience. A hard working, laid back group of guys, and their commitment to the local, patriotic, small business aspect of their operation is admirable. Thx for sharing this experience with anyone who’s watched it.
this channel is going to be something else ill tell ya... genuine people and real footage... dont see this everyday
My first job out of welding school was working on shrimping boats out of Fort Myers FLA. but then we went to Freeport TX. for the season there, it’s a tough business!
Pure dedication.Love these guys for what they do.
When I was 19 in 1976 I drove to Alaska and my first job there was being the only deck hand on a shrimp boat. We used shrimp pots on long lines. I did everything from chopping bait to picking shrimp. One of the best jobs I ever had.
Should have asked the captian and his crew what was the craziest thing they have heard/seen out in the sea!!! Would have been interesting to hear.
I really enjoyed watching through the entire video. As a kid I always wanted to become a shrimp boat captain.
thanks for stopping by, Shannon :)
Hi. I'm your new subscriber here from Philippines, I've just watched your video ,I loved to see fisherman vloggs, thanks for your video, God bless.
Thanks for subscribing, Felicita! And you are very welcome! I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the videos :)
Love shrimping!! A forgotten industry. How my folks made a living.