[Know Your Fisherman] John Nolan and Brent Davis of F/V Seacapture

Photos: Grant Monahan

Good ol’ Montauk, NY. A quaint drinking village with a fishing problem. Winter population of a few thousand or less. Summer population around tens of thousands or more. The ebbs and flows of the population growth have been fluctuating since the days of Carl Fisher in the 1930s. What has been consistent during the decades since has been the hardworking, blue-collar commercial fishing community.

Many have been attracted to Montauk because of the benefits this industry can provide, but it’s not for the faint of heart or anyone that lacks perseverance. I was recently fortunate enough to have a few of the local commercial fisherman allow me on their boats and tell me a few stories about their times on the sea. Before you jump, I’d like to say thank you to the men and women of the Montauk commercial fishing industry and the families that support them.

John Nolan | F/V Seacapture

Photo: Grant Monahan

GM: How long have you been a commercial fisherman?

JN: Since September 2005.

GM: What made you become a commercial fisherman?

JN: My father showed me the way, he has been fishing since as long as I can remember, and taught me everything I know. He is my hero.

GM: What do you like the most about commercial fishing—your favorite story or memory?

JN: I guess the coolest thing I ever did was jumping off the boat on the east side of the Hudson to ride on the back of a whale shark.

GM: What one thing should the everyday person should know about commercial fishing?

JN: It is not for everyone.

Brent Davis | F/V Seacapture

Photo: Grant Monahan

GM: What do you like the most about commercial fishing—your favorite story or memory?

BD: It is great fishing with my buddies. If you are going to work that hard you might as well do it with your friends. Everyone has a good attitude, and it is just fun hanging out, talking shit, and messing with each other.

GM: What one thing should the everyday person should know about commercial fishing?

BD: It takes a lot more work to get that piece of fish on your dinner plate than you think. So much effort goes into it.

As featured in the 2017 Water Issue of Whalebone Magazine, out now.