Saga faces a storm with a new crew | Deadliest Catch

The High-Stakes Crab Fishing Season Begins

Captain Jake Anderson is in a race against time. With 127,000 kilos of snow crabs to catch and 25% of the Saga on the line, he wastes no time leaving the dock. “I’m ready to go now,” he declares as his crew scrambles to prepare the ship. Expectations are high this season, especially with colder waters promising a more abundant catch.

“When it gets colder, we catch more crabs,” Jake says. “And from what I’ve seen, it’s been a cold year.”

After a difficult previous season that led to firing over half his crew, Jake has put together a new team. He’s confident in their experience but knows only time will tell if they can outperform their predecessors. Among his crew is Justin, a seasoned fisherman from Connecticut, embarking on his third season aboard the Saga.

“For some reason, I always miss king crab season,” Justin reflects. “Things happen—like jail time or just bad luck. But here I am, back in Alaska.”

The Saga sets sail, heading 290 miles northwest, straight into its first Arctic storm of the season. Strong winds and three-meter waves challenge the crew, but Jake remains focused. “We’re here to fish,” he reminds them, rallying their spirits.

One notable return to the crew is veteran deckhand Steven Leggino. “At first, I was upset he left the deck last season, but now I see he’s always the first one out there,” Jake remarks. With a full crew, Jake feels more confident than ever as he prepares for the first test haul.

“Alright, guys, here we go! Stay safe, and I’ll do my best to protect you.”

As they lower their pots into the icy waters, Jake hopes for a solid return. He’s aiming for an average of 100 crabs per pot—anything less would mean failure. With financial pressures looming, he is determined to outfish his competitors.

Moments later, they pull up the first pot.

“Looks good—there’s meat in there!” Jake exclaims. “We’ve got crabs!”

The numbers confirm it: 70 crabs in the first pot. Then another. And another.

“140! That’s what we want to see!” Jake shouts. “The shallower waters seem to have better numbers. Let’s keep dropping pots and hope it improves.”

As the crew works relentlessly, disaster almost strikes. Steven, caught off guard by a shifting rope under tension, narrowly avoids a severe injury. The rope whips back, hitting his hand with brutal force. Moments later, another hit—this time to his face.

“After ten years in this, I’ve learned to dodge, run, and duck,” Steven says. “It could’ve been much worse for someone with less experience.”

Jake acknowledges the danger but remains focused on the mission. “That was close, Steven. Good job handling it. That’s the kind of toughness we need.”

With more bait and longer soak times, Jake gambles on doubling his catch. The crew readies another set of pots, pushing through exhaustion and harsh conditions.

“I know I can catch 600 crabs per pot,” Jake asserts. “And I won’t accept anything less.”

The hunt for the golden crabs of the Bering Sea continues, with high stakes and relentless determination driving the crew forward.