NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL'S "MONSTAH" HIT SERIES "WICKED TUNA" MOVES TO MONDAY NIGHTS

Gloucester's Finest Catch Major Paydays on a New Night, Starting Monday, Feb. 1, at 9/8c; New Series, Big Fish Texas, Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 9/8c

(Washington, D.C. - Jan. 4, 2016) - Something wicked this way comes to Monday nights, when National Geographic Channel's top-rated series Wicked Tuna returns for its fifth season, premiering Monday, Feb. 1, at 9/8c. And if steaming the North Atlantic with Gloucester's finest doesn't fulfill your fishing fix, the network also debuts new series Big Fish Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 9/8c. Both series will also air internationally on National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and in 45 languages. For more information, visit www.foxflash.com and follow us on Twitter (@NGC_PR).

Wicked Tuna's fifth season picks up with some captains still struggling after a rough winter season captured in spinoff series Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, which was recently renewed for a third season. After one of his best seasons ever in Gloucester and finishing on top of the fleet, Captain Dave Marciano (@CaptMarciano) of the Hard Merchandise decided to leave the Outer Banks early before a rough fishing season ate into his profits. Now back in familiar seas, Marciano is out to prove that last season's success in Gloucester was no fluke.

Marciano isn't the only captain with something to prove. Captain Dave Carraro (@TunaDotCom) of the FV-Tuna.com finished in an embarrassing third place last season, and is determined to make sure that never happens again. This season, he has a new boat designed to better handle long trips at sea, ensuring that he can stay out for as long as necessary to regain first place.

And after years of fishing as a mate or captaining other fishermen's vessels, Captain Paul Hebert (@PissahTunaPaul) is finally at the helm of his own boat, the Wicked Pissah. He's hired a first-rate crew to help him succeed, but after years of talking himself up on the docks, this season could make or break his reputation.

Rounding out the fleet are fan favorites Captain Tyler McLaughlin (@PinWheelFV) of the Pinwheel and Captain TJ Ott (@tjHOTTUNA) of the Hot Tuna. The fifth season also showcases the high-intensity action of harpoon season with veteran boat Lily, captained by Bill "Hollywood" Muniz (@CaptFVLily), facing off against his rival, Captain Greg Chorebanian of the Kristiana.

This season, the fleet will have to contend with some extra competition from the north, as newcomer Captain Pete Speeches of the Erin & Sarah leaves his home port in Maine to fish in Gloucester waters. Speeches is a skilled fisherman with decades of experience, and his arrival makes the local captains nervous. Speeches fishes with his oldest daughter, Erin, a recent college graduate who is embarking on her first season of commercial fishing. The fifth season of Wicked Tuna proves that blood is thicker than (sea)water, as the Erin & Sarah becomes the third boat in the fleet to feature a family team, alongside Dave and Joe Marciano of the Hard Merchandise and the Ott family aboard the Hot Tuna.

And, in the new series Big Fish Texas, travel from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic to the unpredictable waters off Galveston, Texas where Katie's Seafood Market processes a staggering 25% of the fresh fish commercially caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Katie's is the epicenter of the fishing empire built by businessman, commercial fisherman and prior service Marine Buddy Guindon.

Managing a kingdom with Katie's scope and scale is no easy task. Galveston is the second busiest port in the US, and Buddy grapples daily with an uptick in competition, a Washington bureaucracy, and the Gulf's tempestuous waters - all while being committed to creating a sustainable fishery. Unable to do it alone, Buddy relies on his sons - Nick, Ricky, Hans and Christopher - his wife Katie, his brother Kenny and his father Greg for help.

On land, Nick is the steady hand charged with managing the Katie's chaos, generating business, and sending boats out into the erratic Gulf waters to fill the multi-thousand pound orders that roll in daily.

On water, Hans and Kenny each captain boats and battle against storms, predatory creatures, and mental fatigue in pursuit of the fish that keep Katie's going. Spending days and weeks on the water, the slightest misstep could cost lives, but their epic hauls are the family's lifeblood.

With business booming on land and sea, Ricky uses his tech skills to take Katie's global, while 14-year old Christopher is starting to find his sea legs. Katie is the glue holding them together and she attempts to balance work with family time.

As business explodes, the season challenges the Guindon clan to keep their reputation as Galveston's best intact during a growth spurt. Between building and sustaining an empire, balancing family dynamics, and staying true to their humble roots, they've got their work cut out for them. But through the highs and lows, the Guindons prove again and again that they've earned their position at the top of the fish food chain.

Wicked Tuna Premiere Episodes Include:

Wicked Tuna: Something to Prove Premieres Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at 9/8c A new fishing season begins, and everyone is angling to bring in the first catch. Captain Dave Marciano of the Hard Merchandise is desperate to recover his finances after a bad season down south, while bitter rivals Captain Tyler McLaughlin of the Pinwheel and Captain Dave Carraro of the FV-Tuna.com are out to take each other down while vying for the title. And a new boat in town, the Erin & Sarah, shakes up the standings and rattles the fleet.

Wicked Tuna: Tuna and Tequila Premieres Monday, Feb. 8, 2015, at 9/8c Captain Paul Hebert triumphantly returns to the fishing grounds at the helm of his own boat, the Wicked Pissah. With a skilled crew and a positive attitude, he is finally ready to make a name for himself. Meanwhile, Captains TJ Ott and Dave Carraro bury the hatchet after a disagreement last season, although neither man fully trusts the other. Will this arrangement give TJ the boost he needs, or will he end up burned by "Tricky Dave" once again?

Wicked Tuna: May the Fish Be With You Premieres Monday, Feb. 15, 2015, at 9/8c Captain Dave Carraro's alliance with Captain TJ Ott is put to the test when he discovers the bite is on, and there's only one other boat in the vicinity. And Captain Pete Speeches heads back to Maine to try and turn his luck around, while things finally start to pick up for Captain Dave Marciano.

Big Fish Texas Premiere Episodes Include:

Big Fish Texas: King of the Gulf Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at 9/8c Through years of hard work, legendary Gulf of Mexico fisherman Buddy Guindon built up his fishing business and opened up Katie's Seafood Market. Now he's got his whole family involved. Buddy's son Nick runs the business side of the company, and he's got an order for 15,000 pounds of fish that needs to be caught in 36 hours. With no crew available to help with the request, Buddy must go out with his brother, Kenny, and son Hans to do it themselves.

Big Fish Texas: Blackjack Is Back Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at 9/8c Katie's Seafood Market is a busy Gulf of Mexico business, and a recent quota increase has made it even busier. Nick Guindon has to deal with the demands of a bustling fish house and his overbearing father, Buddy. Things get heated when Buddy finds out that one of his captains brought in a batch of "white" red snapper under Nick's watch. Buddy's son Ricky decides to take the fishery online; however, the site gets less than stellar reviews.

Big Fish Texas: The Warsaw Pact Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at 9/8c When reps from one of the biggest seafood companies want to check out some fish, Buddy calls in his brother Kenny to oblige them. Unfortunately, impressing the buyer comes at the cost of a full day's fishing for Kenny and crew, who head out on a twenty-four hour mad-dash trip to reclaim their lost pay. Meanwhile, Hans takes his crew on a journey around the Gulf to hunt the monster known as the Warsaw in order to prove his legendary status.

Wicked Tuna is produced for National Geographic Channels by Pilgrim Media Group (formerly Pilgrim Studios). For Pilgrim Media Group, executive producers are Craig Piligian and Mike Nichols. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer is Robert Palumbo; senior vice president of programming and development is Alan Eyres; and president, global original programming and production, National Geographic Channel, is Tim Pastore.

Big Fish Texas is produced for National Geographic Channels by Asylum Entertainment and Fatcake Productions. For Asylum Entertainment, executive producers are Steven Michaels, Jonathan Koch and Ryann Lauckner. For Fatcake Productions, executive producers are Misty Tosh and Lisa Colangelo. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer is Robert Palumbo; senior vice president of programming and development is Alan Eyres; and president, global original programming and production, National Geographic Channel, is Tim Pastore.

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