Wicked Tuna, which was cancelled in August 2024, was one of National Geographic’s most popular TV shows. The deep-sea fishing reality series followed a group of Massachusetts-based fishermen as they fished for bluefin tuna in the North Atlantic waters.
If you were a fan of the show, one of the burning questions you may have is how much the Wicked Tuna cast made from their adventures. Below is a detailed look at the salaries of the reality TV show’s stars and the net worth of some of the most noteworthy cast members.
How much are Wicket Tuna stars paid?
The actual salary of Wicked Tuna cast members is not publicly available. However, stars of the shows earn income through multiple means.
Below is an overview of these income sources, along with the approximate figures that boat captains and crew members typically take home.
Fishing income
Fishing is one of the significant sources of income for the Wicked Tuna cast. Each crew sells their catch, with the earnings shared amongst the crew members.
Fishing income can be substantial, with one “Monstah” bluefin reportedly fetching an upwards of $20,000.
Of course, before the earnings are shared, expenses such as fuel, boat repairs, insurance, and boat mortgages are deducted. The expenses can reportedly reach more than $3,000 for each fishing trip.
Additionally, the profits are split among the crew on an incremental basis, with the boat owners and captains taking the biggest shares, and the other crew members receiving a portion of the remaining profits based on their role on the boat.
Fishing income on Wicked Tuna is a catch-based income, meaning that the crew only gets paid for what they catch. Unfortunately, this means that the cast salary is prone to fluctuation due to factors such as the number and size of fish caught, the quality of the catch, and market prices.
Reality TV salaries
Besides the fishing income, each of the Wicked Tuna cast members gets paid for appearing on TV. The salaries are typically paid per episode and are not affected by the size or quality of the fish caught.
The salary paid to the cast on the show is not publicly available. However, according to online reports, each boat on the show was reportedly paid $2,000 – $3,000 per episode, with the money shared amongst the crew.
The figure has reportedly risen to around $10,000 per boat per episode, although some notable stars of the show reportedly earn up to $100,000 per season.
Of course, like with the fishing income, the money paid to each boat is shared among the crew members in incremental portions depending on their rank, with the boat owners and captains earning the lion’s share.
Sponsorships and endorsement deals
Stars of Wicked Tuna are celebrities with huge fan followings, especially on social media platforms. As a result, several of them have sponsorships and endorsement deals with various brands, allowing them to earn additional income.
Public appearances
Given their celebrity status, some of the Wicked Tuna cast members earn money by appearing at events. This can include public speaking engagements, attending private events, or participating in events such as boat shows and conventions.
Other ventures
Wicked Tuna cast members also earn income through other business ventures. For example, some of the show’s stars have merchandise ventures, through which they sell clothing, fishing gear, and other products.
Some Wicket Tuna boat captains also operate fishing charters when they are not fishing or filming for the show, allowing the crew to earn extra income.
Wicket Tuna’s cast net worth
So, now you have a rough idea of what Wicked Tuna cast members take home. But, how much are these individuals worth?
Below is a look at some of the net worths of various cast members of the reality TV show:
1. Dave Marciano – $600,000
Dave Marciano is one of the top stars of Wicked Tuna. He is the owner and captain of Hard Merchandise and is one of the original cast members of the show.
According to Distractify, Captain Dave Marciano is worth an estimated $600,000.
A significant portion of his wealth comes from his TV appearances, including 156 episodes of Wicked Tuna and other shows such as Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up, Wicked Tuna: North vs. South, and Spicer & Co.
Marciano also owns Angelica Fisheries, a fishing business that offers fishing charters. The company also owns a merchandise shop that sells branded clothes, fishing gear, and accessories, in addition to having sponsorship deals with various brands.
2. Dave Carraro – $500,000
Dave Carraro is another notable member of the Wicked Tuna cast. He is the owner and the captain of the FV-Tuna.com boat, and has appeared in the show since its first season.
Carraro is worth an estimated $500,000. He has appeared in 65 episodes of Wicked Tuna, in addition to brief appearances on other shows like Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up, Wicked Tuna: North and South, and Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks Showdown.
Besides appearing on TV, Carraro also operates a business offering offshore fishing charters. He is also an airline pilot and flight instructor, a regular guest in the media, and sells branded merchandise.
3. Timothy James Ott $500,000
Timothy James “TJ” Ott is the captain of Hot Tuna, a family boat that he took over from his father at the age of 19.
According to Pontoonopedia, TJ Ott is worth an estimated $500,000. A substantial portion of his wealth stems from his TV career; he has appeared in 64 episodes of Wicked Tuna, while also featuring heavily in Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks Showdown and Wicked Tuna: North vs. South.
Besides appearing on TV, TJ Ott is part of Hot Tuna Fisheries, a commercial fishing operation. Like most boats, Hot Tuna also sells merchandise, which is readily available on various online stores, such as Wicked Tuna Gear.
4. Paul Hebert – $400,000
Paul Hebert is a commercial fisherman and the owner and boat captain of Wicked Pissah on Wicked Tuna.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hebert is worth an estimated $400,000. He has appeared in several episodes of Wicked Tuna and its spinoff show Wicked Tuna: North vs. South.
Hebert also owns Wicked Pissah Fishing, a commercial fishing business that offers fishing charters. The company also sells merchandise, with items available on the Wicked Tuna Gear online store.
5. Tyler McLaughlin – $400,000
Tyler McLaughlin is the owner and the captain of the Pinwheel boat, where his sister, Marissa McLaughlin, also works as the first mate.
He has an estimated net worth of $400,000, a portion of which stems from his appearance on Wicked Tuna and its spinoff shows, Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks Showdown and Wicked Tuna: North vs. South.
McLaughlin also runs fishing charters via Pinwheel Tuna Fishing Charters. The tuna fishing charter business also offers accommodation services and has sponsorship deals with several brands.
McLaughlin also runs a merchandising venture, Pinwheel Gear, which sells branded clothes, hats, stickers, and accessories.
6. Sandro Maniaci – $350,000
Sandro Maniaci is another of the top Wicked Tuna cast members. He is a licensed boat captain who works as the first mate on Dave Marciano’s Hard Merchandise.
Maniaci is worth an estimated $350,000. Like most Wicked Tuna cast members, his salary is not publicly available, but online reports suggest he is one of the highest-paid stars of the show, earning up to $100,000 per season.
Most of his wealth stems from his TV appearance, having featured in several episodes of Wicked Tuna, Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up, Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks Showdown, and Wicked Tuna: North vs. South.
Maniaci also earns extra income via Hard Merchandise’s tuna fishing charters.
7. Michelle Bancewicz – $200,000 -$400,000
Michelle Bancewicz is another notable star of Wicked Tuna. She is the show’s only female boat captain and is in charge of the show’s first-ever all-female crew.
Bancewicz’s salary and net worth information are not publicly available, but she could be worth between $200,000 and $400,000.
She was a late addition to the show, appearing in season 12, so she did not have as much presence as some of the other stars. However, she is the owner and captain of a 31’ BHM commercial fishing boat (FV No Limits).
Bancewicz also owns a commercial fishing operation, through which she offers fishing charters. The business also sells merchandise (clothes and hats) and has sponsorship deals with several brands.
Before joining Wicked Tuna, Bancewicz was a successful commercial fisherman. She once caught a 1,000-pound Bluefin tuna on her own, with the entire adventure captured in a video that went viral.
It is not known how much she sold the tuna for, but according to online reports, it would have earned her between $80,000 and $350,000.