The Hard Merchandise
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The Hard Merchanise Crew
From left to right: Captain and Owner Dave Marciano and First Mate Jason Muenzner
This two-man crew works hard for the money. With decades of commercial fishing under his belt, Captain Dave Marciano supports three kids, including one in college, with the money he makes fishing bluefin tuna. First Mate Jason Muenzner, Marciano's nephew, is learning the ropes from his uncle.
Their vessel is called the Hard Merchandise, a beat-up, workhorse of a boat from 1984 (though it looks like it's even older). Compared to the other crews' boats, the Hard Merchandise has been described as the "bastard stepsister" of the fleet. But what do looks matter if she gets the job done?
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Marciano and His Little Friend
The son of an insurance man from nearby Beverly, Massachusetts, Dave Marciano started fishing at age 11—and never considered another trade. “I just took to the water,” he says. “I got my first jobs on charter boats in Gloucester as a teenager. After high school, I got into it full time." Marciano worked for a decade as a crewman in Key West and Gloucester before an employer spotted his obvious talents and “threw him the keys” to captain a boat. “I ran that boat, the Captain Vince II, for three seasons, and we did real well,” he explains. “I saved enough money from my captain’s share that I could buy my own boat.”
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Marciano Smiles
In Gloucester, where the waterfront has a memorial to the thousands of Gloucester fishermen who’ve died at sea over the last three centuries, Marciano also holds the distinction of having survived a 2003 shipwreck. “We were pushing the limit and the weather was a little crappy,” Marciano recalls. They were 18 miles offshore and struggling to get back with thousands of pounds of fish when a plank in the hull gave way. “We sank in 33 minutes,” Marciano recalls, matter-of-factly. “It wasn’t as dangerous of a situation as it sounds, though. We’d had all that Coast Guard training and we had the pumps and other equipment, and there was another fishing boat a mile away.” According to his peers, who heard him on the radio during the ordeal, Marciano stayed impressively cool throughout the whole, frightful thing.
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First Mate Jason Muenzner
“I started going out for bluefin when I was 21," says Jason Muezner, first mate of the Hard Merchandise. "I haven't been in the game long, but I can't imagine doing anything else.”
Muezner describes bluefin fishing as not so much a job but a craft—an amalgam of complex, difficult-to-learn skills, knowledge, and physical endurance that takes years to master. “You have to start as an apprentice and work your way up,” he says. “And it really helps to have a teacher like Dave [Marciano], who’s been around for over 30 years catching bluefin. I can go out and compete with some of the best, because he’s dumped all his knowledge on me."
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Jason in Action
For Muenzner, the most challenging part of bluefin fishing is not the required endurance and the intensity of the physical labor, or even the danger—it’s the challenge of suddenly morphing from a normal, calm and relaxed demeanor into a mental state of steely resolve and unrelenting concentration. "The experience of catching bluefin—everything about it is hard. You wake up early, you stay up long days. You might go three, four days without a bite, and then you have one, and you’ve got to go to work, jump into action. You’re feeling relaxed and lazy, and then that rod moves, and it’s game time. Those first couple of minutes, they’re the toughest.”
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Men at Work
With every success and letdown, Marciano imparts his wisdom to his nephew/first mate. It’s tough love for Jay, while he learns the skill and passion that Marciano uses to level the playing field against his competitors.
But Jason's sights are set on the captain's seat. “I definitely want to become a captain someday. Dave [Marciano] is encouraging me to go out and get my captain’s license, and to run charters.”
Hard luck hard Merchandise. Hope you get her all running again. Would love to bring a crew from Jamaica and do a Charter. Will keep an eye on your progress and hope you are up and running for this next season.. Love your attitude and respect for the job, the fish and your fellow fishermen. Respect to Jason, he sure got your back and knows what he is doing.
Nuff respect.
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I was awe shocked to see your boat covered in water up over the deck at the end of last nights show. My heart just sank for you and your family cause its your bread n butter. When you go out on the show I am there with you cheering you on and my prayers are there for your success and saftey. We were left out to find out what was the cause of the flooded boat? Out of all the boats in the fleet, I feel you are a better class of fisherman and in your own league. I've enjoyed this seasons shows and thatnk you and the fleet for putting on such a show with NGC. Its nice to see more family oriented programming thats informative as well as entertaining. I can only dream of what you do, since I am disabled. When you go out you are my wings and I will keep saying my prayers for you. May God be with you and you family. jon16407@yahoo.com.
that was hard to see when the season ended and capt daves boat under water. i was wondering also how he made out with that. boy , there guys sure put alot on the line to make a living. for what they do to put food on everyones table, it sure makes me appreciate alot more having a fish dinner.
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I just wanted to say GREAT JOB CAP on the fish you and Jason caught this season. I hope that your boat Hard Merchandise will LIVE again !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Because I would like to see you guys be on top like Tuna.com and Pin wheel. I hope You get your boat all fixed up it was the last episode that made me right this. IT HURT me to see your boat under water and I know it hurt you to. Well I hope that National Geographic or Someone will help you get your Boat back. I hope to see you guys next season.
I love the show but Dave is definitely my favorite! I live in Rapid City SD and know he has family out here so I hope sometime I get to see him around town! I think the Tuna.com guys finally got some humble pie on the final show!
i also think dave marciano is my favorite. a hard working family man. a man after my own heart. this is such a great show.they are like a family at sea. i wish them alot of luck and many blessings and safe fishing. i hope dave and his nephew catch a thousand pounder to finish the season @ $25.00 a pound. peace!!!!!!!
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I love that Marciano talks about his family and how important it is to take care of them. The other boats just talk about beating each other. I know Marciano smokes and should quit for the sake of his children and so should Paul who is always smoking. I was a two and a half pack a day smoker tried everything to quit. I tried hypnosis, gum, patches, and quit smoking classes nothing worked. After 13 years of the two and a half packs a day I just told myself that is it no more. I laid them on the table and for a year it was so hard to not pick it up but I kept telling myself no. The best way is cold turkey it has been twenty years no smoking. Have control of yourself do not let the cigarettes tell you when to smoke do not let the cigarettes make you their slave. I hope this helps you Dave and Paul. I love your show and Hope Marciano lands a thousand pounder or larger this week.....
You guys maybe should've made a bigger deal out of Mike Godfried's death.
If I understood his obituary correctly, he basically created the path
to Japan for you all.
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One day I would love to go on a charter with Hard Merchandise and Dave. I love fishing but my husband doesn't, so I don't get to fish much. He does likes deep sea fishing though and I have never fished in the ocean. If I ever get to MA that would be the first thing I would want to Do! Good luck guys I'm always rooting for you!
Can we get this guy off the air, please? It's offensive that I have to put up with him in my living room. Horrible memories of a horrible event. I don't even watch the show but it's on so damn much I see him while flipping channels.
Maybe the captain should get an ashtray instead of throwing his ciggarette butts in the ocean!
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You guys are great Dave like to see some video without a ciggarette in your hand looks tacky. You have young kids.
I know Captain Dave. I know all about you. ALL about you.
Bastard Stepsister. How appropriate.
Would never watch this show or any other in National Graphic channel now.
I always pull for the Hard Merchandise, Capt. Dave and Jason are top notch, I would like to meet them.
Love the show guys!! I wanted to give everyone a heads up on a new company I just started called GOMfisherman. Its an apparel company for Gulf of Maine fishermen. We currently have three new sweatshirt designs and are just finishing a new tuna design I thought you might like!!
Check us out @ www.GOMfisherman.com
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You rock Marciano !!!! Good luck this season and may God bless you and your family !
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I love Hard Merchandise! I was wondering if there is a website to purchase Hard Merchandise apparel? I would love to have a sweatshirt! You guys are my favorite and I am so pulling for you every week.
Me Too! I love Hard Merchandise and Dave. My favorite Captain! Would love a t shirt and sweatshirt.
I've watched every episode of the show since it started and I've been fishing both fresh and salt water (much of it from my Boston Whalers) since the age of 4 (67 now) and I learn something every week by paying close attention to detail on the show. Dave and Jay MAKE the series in my view. They are REAL PEOPLE doing a real job without arrogance or egotistical overcompensation like some others on the show. There are few "entertainers" or "celebrities" that I would ever care about meeting in person but Dave Marciano is at the top of the list. I find myself squeezing for him to succeed each week and his family values are something that other programs on TV should consider emulating. He is a credit to fishermen everywhere and to the rich history of Gloucester.
I'm driving 200 miles to the Baltimore Boat Show to get a glimpse of my fishing hero Captain Dave Marciano, oh and look at boats to.
Dave i would like to know what it would take to charter your boat to do some tuna fishing with you guys please email me back at rc9655@yahoo.com thanks and keep fishing hard you two
@Andrew Clark Me too, Billy is blaming .com for his bad season. I love the relationship Dave has with Jay his nephew. I like the .Com guys too Paul and Sandro.
Capt. Dave, thanks for bringing back fond memories of fishing on Maui, many years ago. One of the greatest joys in my life was out on the sea, fishing with my Grandfather. He wasn't into drama, just fishing.
Your whole team, Jason, Nancy & kids, are the best.
We met Dave & Jay over the weekend at the AC Boatshow. They answered questions, posed for photos. True gentlemen. Thank you, Dave and Jay Good Luck
Dave & Jay - It was really nice meeting you today at the Atlantic City Boat Show! My Fiancé had you sign his forearm which you (& I) thought was quite weird but it was really cool of you guys and he was really excited to show everyone! My Fiancé builds Silverhawk boats and his salesperson Fran Z says you guys are great people! Keep up the great work! Thanks for being so nice today, it was really nice to meet such great fisherman who are so down to earth and really appreciate their great luck in being part of such a great show!
what do I need to do so I can have a chance to fish with Marciano where do I sighn up or what looking for some help TY
Probably my favorite dude on here but not to bright either seeing he cut up a mako shark on tv, thats against the law man.
Yes Capt. Dave and Crew is why we watch Wicked Tuna! My husband saids that this reminds him of his old neighborhood, Beverly, Ma. He remembers your Dad, Carmen, Grand-Dad Dutchy...on your Moms side Paul and Gregory... and it would be so nice for him to get to fish with you! Congratulations on the job you do!!! Thanks Fred Birarelli
Watching the new episode now and hated to see the guys loose a tuna. Better luck next time captain.
I have to admire Captain Marciano and Jay for not blaming others for not catching tuna like one captain i know but won't mention his name. From the picture of mrs Marciano holding that pan of cod make me think she's a good cook. what more can a man want, a great family, a great cook for a wife, a great first mate and a great job. Feel proud captain.