Captain Keith Kicks Off The Season With ENORMOUS Crab Haul | Deadliest Catch

Captain Keith Colburn’s Risky Gamble Pays Off: A Dramatic First Day on the Wizard

Captain Keith Colburn, the seasoned skipper of the Wizard, is no stranger to the challenges and unpredictability of the Bering Sea. This season, however, he made a bold decision to push further than ever before in search of golden king crabs. Aware that other boats in the fleet were already making similar moves, Colburn opted to steam 40 miles west, beyond the reach of most other crabbing vessels, in an effort to find colder waters where the crabs might be hiding. What followed was a day filled with setbacks, uncertainty, and ultimately, triumph.

The Bold Decision: Pushing Into Deeper Waters

Captain Colburn’s strategy this season was a calculated risk. While the rest of the fleet set their gear in the usual shallower waters, Colburn decided to head into deeper, colder waters—places he’d never fished before. This decision was driven by the rising water temperatures in the Bering Sea, which were hitting record highs. Colburn believed that to find the crabs, he needed to head west, beyond the 164 line to Samaria, an area he’d never explored. “We’re out here a lot deeper than normal, but the fleet’s not dumb either, you know,” Colburn said, noting the growing competition. “We’re going to go even further out past the 164 line.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Colburn remained determined. He believed that if he could find the crabs out there, they would be his for the taking, as there were few others daring to venture that far west.

Trouble Strikes: Engine Failure

However, Colburn’s first day out at sea didn’t go as smoothly as planned. As he started to stretch out his gear across the vast ocean, disaster struck. The engine on the Wizard suddenly failed, leaving the ship stranded. “Houston, we’ve got problems,” Colburn said, as the main generator shut down, plunging the vessel into darkness.

The ship’s chief engineer, Thomas Marcisso, quickly took charge of the situation, but the cause of the failure was unclear. The crew scrambled to assess the damage, and after several tense moments, they discovered that the charger had been accidentally turned off. Marcisso explained, “It’s easy to bump into that brush with your shoulder.” Thankfully, with a quick fix, the engine fired back up, and the crew was able to resume their journey. Colburn joked, “It is what it is,” and with that, they pressed on, hoping that the worst was behind them.

A Disappointing Start: Empty Pots

Despite the mechanical setback, Colburn’s focus remained on getting to the crabs. He knew that every day spent out here was critical, and time was running out. The crew began hauling in their pots, but the first few were a major disappointment. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Colburn muttered as the pots came up empty.

For a moment, it seemed like the gamble might not pay off. The first 50 pots brought little to no crabs, and Colburn’s frustration grew as he saw the pots filling up without a single catch. His crew, too, began to feel the weight of the situation, with some wondering if they had made the right call by heading so far west.

The Big Break: A Booming Catch

Just as hope seemed to be slipping away, Colburn’s determination paid off. The crew hauled up a pot with a significant catch, and the excitement on deck was palpable. “Nice! This one’s got quite a bit more crab in it,” Colburn exclaimed, his mood lifting as he saw the bounty. The haul was impressive, with over 100 crabs in the pot, a sign that they were finally on the right track. “This is exactly what I was trying to do—go deeper and colder,” Colburn said, satisfied with the results.

As the pots continued to come up with more crabs, the crew realized they had struck gold. “We hit the big time,” Colburn said, clearly relieved and thrilled. This was the kind of catch that could turn the season around.

The Risk Was Worth It

For Captain Colburn and his crew, the gamble of heading further west had paid off in spades. “Every year we come out here and gamble that we’re either going to strike it rich or fall on our faces,” Colburn admitted. But this time, it was clear that their risk had turned into a major win. The crabs they had found were of the highest quality, and the Wizard was now fully stocked with some of the best catches in the fleet.

As the day progressed and the crew continued to haul in more crabs, Colburn couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. “This is cool crab here,” he said, admiring the massive crabs they had caught. With water temperatures continuing to rise, it was clear that crabbing in deeper, colder waters was the right move. “Throw the rulebook away and just head west,” Colburn joked, a reflection of his unconventional but successful strategy.

Conclusion: A Rewarding Gamble

Captain Keith Colburn’s decision to take a risk and head deeper into uncharted waters may have seemed like a bold move, but it paid off in a big way. Despite early mechanical failures and empty pots, Colburn’s perseverance and belief in his strategy led to a significant catch. The Wizard crew now faces a successful season, filled with the promise of more crabs and the satisfaction of knowing they took the risk that others weren’t willing to take.

In the unpredictable world of crabbing, sometimes fortune favors the bold. For Captain Colburn, this season’s gamble paid off, and with the crabs rolling in, it’s clear that heading west was the right choice.