
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat captained by Bill Monte and his wife, Donna Monte, the only husband-wife team on the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna. The couple has been married for over 30 years and has been fishing the waters of the Northeast for Bluefin Tuna for over 42 years. The boat is one of the smallest featured on the show, with other boats ranging from 35 to 48 feet in length.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Boat Name | Bounty Hunter |
Boat Type | Duffy |
Boat Length | 35' |
Captain | Bill Monte |
Captain's Spouse | Donna Monte |
Captain's Profession | Airline Pilot |
What You'll Learn
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat
The couple met through fishing, with Donna crediting her husband with introducing her to the sport. She has probably caught more giant tuna than most, and has the strength to endure four hours in the fighting chair, whereas most men would cry after two. Donna usually joins her husband on the boat when she can.
Bill Monte describes himself as competitive, and says he loves to fish, have fun, and make a few dollars while chasing giant bluefin. He acknowledges that he is older than the other captains, but he and his crew are "gonna give it hell until we can't do it anymore".
The Bounty Hunter is one of the smaller boats featured on Wicked Tuna, which range in size from 35 feet to 48 feet. The show features a variety of fishing vessels, some of which have been custom-designed for the tuna fishing season.
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Captain Bill and Donna Monte are the only husband-wife team on Wicked Tuna
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat, owned by the only husband-wife team on the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna, Captain Bill and Donna Monte. The couple have been married for over 30 years, chasing Bluefin Tuna and fishing the waters of the North-east for over 42 years. They met through fishing, with Donna beating Bill when they first went fishing together. Donna has caught more giant tuna than most of the people around her, and she's very good at it.
The Monte's boat, the Bounty Hunter, is a 35' Duffy boat, which falls under the Class 2 yacht category (greater than 26 feet but less than 40 feet). While there is no required boat size to participate in the competition, a bigger, heavier, and longer-sized boat is better for safety and security purposes when navigating the rough seas and wrestling with the tuna.
The Bounty Hunter is available for fishing trips off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, where Wicked Tuna is based.
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The boat is docked in Gloucester, MA
Gloucester is America's oldest seaport, and the fishermen there have used rod and reel to catch bluefin tuna for generations. The fish are a crucial source of income for them, and the competition among fishermen is fierce. A single bluefin tuna can fetch as much as $20,000.
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat captained by Bill Monte, who, along with his wife, Donna Monte, has owned the vessel for over 30 years. They were the only husband-and-wife team on Wicked Tuna. The Montes have been married for over 30 years and have been fishing the waters off Gloucester for bluefin tuna, striped bass, and various groundfish species for over 42 years.
The Wicked Tuna boats are docked in two main locations: Cape Ann's Marina Resort at 7 Seas Wharf (near the Gloucester House) and Smith Cove on Rocky Neck. The boats are massive and rugged, designed to withstand the harsh ocean waters, reflecting the challenging nature of tuna fishing.
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The Montes have been married for over 30 years
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat, captained by Bill Monte and his wife, Donna Monte, who have been married for over 30 years. The Montes are the only husband-and-wife team on the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna. They have been fishing the waters of the North Atlantic, off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, for over 42 years, chasing Bluefin Tuna, trophy striped bass, and numerous groundfish species.
Bill and Donna Monte first met through fishing. Donna credits her husband with introducing her to the sport, and she has been hooked ever since. She is one of the few women who engage in this type of fishing and has proven her skill, having caught more giant tuna than most. In fact, she played a crucial role in the Montes' biggest success story in fishing: winning the Cape Ann Giant Tuna Tournament two years in a row. Donna was in the fighting chair for both victories, reeling in an 802-pounder and a 900-pounder.
The Montes' shared passion for fishing has kept them together for over three decades, and their teamwork extends beyond their marriage. Captain Bill's best friend, Ralph Wilkins, captains the Odysea, the smallest of all five boats featured in Wicked Tuna. The friendship between the two captains has worked to the advantage of both crews over the years, as they share information and knowledge to enhance each other's fishing expeditions.
The Montes' long marriage and fishing partnership demonstrate their enduring love and commitment to each other and their shared passion. Their story stands out in the competitive and physically demanding world of tuna fishing, where the older generation is finding it harder to keep up with the younger fishermen.
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They have been fishing for Bluefin Tuna for over 42 years
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat, captained by Bill Monte and his wife, Donna Monte, who have been married for over 30 years. They have been fishing for Bluefin Tuna for over 42 years, making them the only husband-wife team on the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna. The couple fishes in the waters off of Gloucester, Massachusetts, for the elusive Bluefin Tuna, trophy striped bass, and numerous groundfish species.
Gloucester, Massachusetts, is known as America's oldest seaport, and the fishermen there have used rod and reel to catch Bluefin tuna for generations. These fishermen depend on these fish for their livelihood, and the competition is fierce. A single Bluefin tuna can bring in as much as $20,000, and the captains on Wicked Tuna adhere to U.S. regulations that determine size limits and quotas for the season.
Captain Bill Monte is a competitive and experienced fisherman who has been chasing giant Bluefin tuna for decades. In an interview, he described himself as a captain who loves to fish, wants to have fun, make some money, and chase giant Bluefin. While he acknowledges that age has made it a little harder, he still enjoys the thrill of the chase and the competition.
Donna Monte was introduced to fishing by her husband, and she quickly became hooked. She is one of the few women who engage in this type of fishing and has caught numerous giant Bluefin herself. The couple's shared passion for fishing has led them to success in tournaments, including winning the Cape Ann Giant Tuna Tournament two years in a row with an 802-pounder and a 900-pounder. Donna was in the fighting chair for both victories, showcasing her strength and skill.
The Bounty Hunter is one of the smaller boats featured on Wicked Tuna, but that doesn't stop Captain Bill and Donna Monte from pursuing their passion for fishing and continuing to compete against other fishermen in the pursuit of Bluefin tuna.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bounty Hunter is a 35' Duffy boat.
The owners of the Bounty Hunter are Captain Bill and Donna Monte, the only husband-and-wife team on the show.
The fishermen on Wicked Tuna are in pursuit of Atlantic bluefin tuna, which can bring in as much as $20,000 per fish.
Wicked Tuna is set in Gloucester, Massachusetts, America's oldest seaport.