Ten Years Of Tantrum

I married into the Tantrum family over ten years ago. Since being introduced to this beautiful fishing vessel, I have yet to miss a year aboard a lingcod trip… until this year. Sadly, the forces were against us to make it all come together. My mother had a serious health crisis on top of caring for my father with dementia. My father peacefully passed away at the end of March. Needless to say, it’s been quite a year. 

Early in March, I didn’t know how I could leave with my parents in the situation they were in and then, when things were actually stable enough to hope for a family fishing trip, a goat-milking housesitter was nowhere to be found. It’s not an easy reality to try and mix farming and fishing, but somehow we have managed all these years, barely. By the time I nailed down a possible housesitter, Bruce and Maximus were wrapping up the trip and almost coming home. Boo hoo for Rex and me. 

Coming to the realization that it wasn’t going to happen for us as a family was a sad moment. A spring without ling? Unfathomable! However, as with many of life’s challenges and disappointments, there is a silver lining. Not being able to, showed me just how much it means to me to be able to go. That’s been a process all in of itself with the ups and downs over the years. 

If I’m honest, I’ve gone through a mix of many emotions when it comes to fishing. The first year, newly in love, I was full of excitement and enthusiasm to join the Tantrum crew. Never in my life had I been on a boat ride that lasted more than a few hours. Heading out to sea for five solid weeks was an eye-opener, to say the least. Of course, I was prepared to go anywhere and do anything with Bruce – including being outside of my comfort zone – solid ground! – and climbing into claustrophobic, dark and cold freezer spaces to stack more fish into tiny, tight spaces. Oh, the glories of new love! 

By the end of that first summer, after twelve total weeks on the Tantrum, I was more than ready to come back to land. I loved the time with Bruce, but I missed solid ground and non-moving cooking surfaces. Year after year, however, I always returned to spring ling. Not even a four-month-old tiny sidekick could keep me from going. Our family time was a priority, even if it meant bringing our young infant on a commercial fishing boat for three weeks. I can’t say it was always easy. In fact, I would be lying if I didn’t say it was downright hard at times. A young baby, seasickness, small spaces, the smell of diesel… at times, I dreaded going out and wanted nothing more than to come home. 

Thankfully, the last couple of years have gotten easier. Rex is older, for one. There are more things we can do together, including actual parts of fishing. I’m no longer confined to 12 hours in the wheelhouse, and I enjoy getting on deck again with Bruce, getting my hands working, and watching our son thrive. I can now manage my queasy stomach now (thank you, blessed ginger!), and I no longer live with low-level nausea all the time. I realize now how much I enjoy being on the boat: preparing nice meals for the hardworking crew, helping Bruce out on deck when I can, spending time with Rex, and exploring the spectacular coastlines and uninhabited inlets. Above all, it’s a chance to be away from the busyness of home life and spend more time with my family –no goats, no chickens, no garden, no swim lessons, no town trips, fewer electronics, and smaller spaces to clean. It took missing my tenth anniversary with the Tantrum to realize just how much it all means to me. Sometimes, Earth school has to take something away for you to realize just how valuable that thing is. Lesson learned. Here we come, spring 2026! 

By Pilar Martinelli

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