The COST of CRABBING 

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I'll put my teenage son on a plane from Australia to help you He is an ocean boy lives for the sea has been working on the ocean since 16 years old just turned 19 Has done crayfish/lobster, sharks, fish charters, sea bird watching charters, tuna, maintenance and cleaning of the boat So he could see a different perspective on the fishing/ marine industry

Luke, you are in an inspiration for our younger generation with all the hard work that you show and perform. love watching your videos and how you are so authentic with all you do. Keep it going! someday ill get down to your crab stand.

I have got to say, that is the best RU-vid commercial I've heard. And you didn't stop what you were doing while the pitch

You are wise beyond your years. Keep working hard.

i cried when you talked about your extra dad's or mentors - super sweet. Fishing is great - but you need a team. - also the sunrises we've seen... priceless.

What a wife! What a man! These folks could teach seminars on intestinal fortitude to the young folks in this country. Roll on folks!!

Good line ,The Juice isn’t worth the Squeeze .

Luke, you are so blessed, I've been a factory worker for almost 40 years, 23 of those 40 years I've been a forklift operator, I guess what I'm trying to say is don't wait til you are 60 and say aw man, wished I'd done that differently, yes I do believe you are living a dream and it's awesome because that's what YOU chose to do in life ! I also believe that you have someone beside you that is willing to go wherever life takes you...she's a special lady !! I've said before that you have the attitude, willingness, and the tenaciousness to keep working to get what you want out of life !

Everyone says fisherman and farmers make all the money, but no one knows how little we keep, the over head is wild

I own a towing company, and can say I needed this video... The costs are enormous and it gets tiring. I've been on a bit if a burnout. Thanks for reminding me.

I am deathly allergic to crabs,like incidental contact Dead but I like how Luke runs his business.

Luke, BEST EPISODE EVER!!! I love that Transition into the Sponsor that Even fits with the Episode, Dude, Genius... Love this Channel, Keep on Keeping on Brother, Best Wishes from across the Pond from Here in Yorkshire, UK

It is good to have someone to share the journey! Have a great season! Happy Friday!

Rooting for you Luke. Great channel.

Luke you have definitely married the right woman for you. The two of you are made for each other.

You sure look, seem, and act happy, Luke McFadden - God Bless You, Friend. I grew up in Chester, PA, during the 50s and 60s doing many of the things you do. We fished and crabbed and hunted all over the quad-state area. My folks are mostly gone now - I'm retired, and living in So. Carolina. During the summers, we used to eat crabs almost every week, and go get our own 6 or more times a year - even had a couple of trotlines after they changed the law to allow them. I remember nights in late August when they'd be running on the surface - we'd spotlight 'em, and just scoop 'em up with the nets as we idled along. Watching your videos is therapy for me, because I'm reminded of how wonderful those days were, and how much I miss them. You're living a lifestyle that costs a lot - but is close to nature, and very rich in rewards. I sure hope I can get up your way one of these days and drop by your stand for a dozen or so of those jumbos. It's the best way I can think of to say, "Thank You".

Heck yeah dude. Life is wild these days. You figured out a good one!!! Also nuts how far you’ve come (business, boats, family, life) since I found this channel. Those mentors must be super proud. 👊🏼

500K Congrats!

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for making it and here’s to a great season!

thank you for the pep talk today I needed it.

Thank you Luke you are a inspiration. I’m a firefighter and work long hours and miss a lot of holidays and life events and it can be difficult and mentally draining but I’m glad I’m not alone. You make me feel grateful and like what I’m doing is worth it. So thank you

Luke, this has to be one of the best videos you’ve put out so far. Love your content and congrats on the marriage.

Your a good man Luke,and I think your gonna have a great season.

Congratulations you found the true meaning of life although hard you found it where most don't don't ever loose that

Thanks for bringing us along!

I’m so glad you have this RU-vid channel to share this version of life with us, and I’m very glad you have this extra income stream over here to help supplement the tough industry you love working in so much. You’re easily one of the hardest working guys out there and also have a natural talent to tell stories and make these videos so consistently interesting, I’m always impressed. So thanks Luke, keep killing it out there and good luck this season! We’ll be here to vent to right next to Betterhelp whenever you need it 🦀

Your content is great! I hope you continue to inspire young people to work harder 👍🏻👍🏻

Your an old soul Luke. Thank you for spreading the word on how bad US local fishermen are treated. Your a lucky man and deserve all the success you have had and too that in the future... Greetings from Portland Oregon

Luke, OldBull here! Just to say that you are an amazing young man and your Mrs. is a keeper for sure! Glad I got to meet you! 🦀

You are the best…your joy, your gratitude, your energy, your perspective and wisdom…float your boat bub! AWESOMENESS ⁉️🤣

Keep up the great work Luke and a lot of what you're experiencing is just part fo growing up for a lot of us. You've got a great work ethic and I hope your continually growing network helps keep your career growing and growing!

Luke I know exactly what you mean about the fishing business ! It's almost like a whirlpool sucking you down! My dad was a commercial fisherman out of Moss Landing, in Monterey Bay California from over 50 years. Dungeness crabs in winter! Salmon season use to run from April 15 to September 30 . Also Albacore tuna in the Summer when they were running. In highschool I ran my own boat that my dad and I built 2 years later the EPA came in and screwed up all the fishing seasons ! In another 2 years over a thousand fisherman were out of business! Fort Brag had over 400 commercial fishing boats that the banks repo's. Dad helped me sell my boat I told him to keep the money and I went into the Navy for 20 years, yes there's times that I han not did that! Keep up the good work there are always people wanting to buy your ketch! My Dad went to selling his catch out of the back of his pick truck with a reafer on it instead of to the fishing brokers to get what he wanted for his catch!

I’m around the same age as Luke, luckily I’ve had great breaks into doing things I love I found that positive attitudes and mindsets bring the people into your life that you need the most I love watching your videos it’s nice to see people our age doing what they love regardless of the obstacles in the way

As a former Grouper commercial fisherman, I could not agree more. It's a hard life which requires support from an entire village, to sustain.😊

Your work ethic and mindset paired with that woman, you are unstoppable man! You two are perfect for eachother!

I have been commercial fishing in Alaska for the last 16 years. I know first hand what your saying. It's getting really hard up here across all fisheries. Crab, Salmon, halibut, black cod, and Pacific grey cod. I thought I would be fishing for the rest of my life but every year I'm forced to look into diversifying and finding a way out. Also good bless the wife's that keep the home fires burning! Keep up the good work!! People need to know what it takes to put food on their plates

You guys keep it real and I love how down to earth you are. Good luck and god speed buddy. Can’t wait for the next exciting episode!!!

I'm a trucker, and so many newbie owner operators don't understand operating costs, and they're so hungry to live large, that they will take every bit of cheap freight, and they destroy the goods rates. Then they wind up going out of business, and those of us that work hard and plan properly are stuck dealing with the industry those scabs left us. Everything you talked about here translate to what i deal with

You're content is amazing man. Truly an inspiration for those of us who dont have the sort of role model/guidance in our lives necessary to keep pushing. Youre all around good dude and I wish you and your wife all the luck in the world. Keep it up man. Youre videos do more than just entertain. Thank you for all your hard work.

What you described as your life as a fishermen is my life as a business owner since 1980. I live for the business and life is worked around that.

You’re speaking about many industries. The cost of everything has gone up 2-3x but profits have not. Literally everyone is feeling the effects of our economy right now.

Damn good content. An old soul! Keep it up crab man! #BlessUp

Just found your channel and started watching your previous vids, but you’re very inspirational and this upload is now my favorites video on the internet!

It's probably one of the best explanations of the trade-offs owning/ running a small business

As marine biologist, two things that you said in this and past videos, I would tackle are crab deaths and the pollution in the bay. If your home has access to the bay water, I would make 3 to 4 holding tanks for each crab size, doesn't need to be big tanks since you are only keeping them for a maximum of 5 days, they just need a good aeration system and a UV treatment on the water you pump into the tanks, so plenty of oxygen and the UV system will sterilize the water and remove the effects of the pollution on the crabs, same way they treat any shellfish (mussels,oysters,clams etc). So you can increase the price of your product, while keeping people safe from the pollution in the bay.

My dad and father in law are/were commercial fishermen in Alaska and Washington. It gets in your blood. It’s heartbreaking but also wow, what fun. I’ve spent many hours and weeks and months and years on those boats. Love it.

Thanks you for doing what you do. I’m a staffing company and I wish I had a hundred people like you, who really know what work is.

I love your content homie. You inspire me to get my business off the ground.

Well said Luke! Appreciate you bro!

Other than marrying your wife, the smartest thing you did is selling the motorcycle.

This was great dude, I’m 32 and run my own small business and have the same problems, experiences and pains like you, not a lot of people understand but I love what I do and I’m happy even with a lot of the street and misery it seems to cause lol

100$ for a dozen crabs? Thats just insane. Thats about 1 pound(at the most) of crab meat. $100 a pound!

Cheers to y’all. Born and raised in Baltimore and left Maryland due to homelessness. May you continue to be blessed. 🦀

Luke, everything I get discouraged about Gen X, Z, and now A, I watch your videos. Keep up the great work, you are an inspiration.

The industry has changed a lot since I was a teenager in the 80s and my cousins and uncles and dad were crabbing. I grew up in Eastern NC and the way they crab pot there is different too though. The gear is less complicated, the boats are smaller and the overhead wasn't nearly so high. My cousins were both giving 16 ft outboard workboats when they turned 13 or 14 and 300 or 400 individual pots by my uncle and went to work catching crabs. Back then they'd take each days catch directly to the local seafood processers and they got paid enough to cover their expenses which were significantly lower. Being able to fish from 16 foot boat with a 40 or 50 HP outboard motor was a lot less money even if they had to pay today's prices. Not having to store the crabs beyond the time it took to take them to the processor after they were caught was a lot cheaper too. It was still incredibly hard labor of course. I went out with them when I was visiting and it was obvious how backbreaking it was. The boys made good money though. Both of them were able to buy brand new cars when they turned 16, both of got newer workboats by the time they were 18. And of course both of them bought more pots to increase their catch. Of course things have changed a lot since those days. And it's not been a change for the better unfortunately. If there is one thing I've learned in mid life that I wish I had realized when I was younger though it's that you absolutely NEED to be kind to your body. Eventually it will catch up to you if you don't take care of yourself and don't push yourself too hard. My mom's husband died pretty young a few years back because he didn't take care of his health like he should have. My uncle nearly died young too because he did the same thing until he got a terrible scare from it. Good health is absolutely the most priceless thing you can have in this life, if you are healthy all things can be possible. If you aren't everything is so much harder to get done.

Keep pushing forward bro!!!

You are a hardworking young man! Stay with who and what you love!

Luke you have a big BIG list .

Heard to believe when I worked on the Chesapeake Bay in the 80’s our market prices were $20 for #1s and $15 for #2s and #3s

Interesting watching you. I'm a charter boat owner/skipper in Ireland. Bought my 1st charter boat at 29. Not many my age at it and I know very few people involved with boats. We work a similar season. Start of April to end of October but have given up on April now but push in to November for bluefin if the weather cooperates. Crazy how costs have gone in the last few years and definitely a cap we can charge before our regulars would be come very irregular.

Luke u sold me once I watched ur first video u have an amazing sense of humor but sadly don’t give yourself enough credit on what a hard working fisherman u are fella. You got extremely lucky finding an awesome wife who like you had such a positive outlook look (well at least on camera lol) over all I watch bc even if it’s for 10 min or some longer one over 30 + min in that moment you make my day buddy u also have me supporting local fisherman and have educated me on how hard ur profession truly is

You’re wife is amazing haha glad she supports you as much as you support her

Luke, I’m about to turn 64, God willing, and let me tell you, when I see you doing things like taking off truck bed toppers BY YOURSELF at age 27, I just wanna get in your face about it. I beat the hell out of myself at your age, and could just brush it off with a few hours rest and some Advil. That all caught up to me in my mid-50’s. Suffered horrible disc compression and sciatica for a decade. Last year I had spinal fusion and fortunately picked the right surgeon, because I now feel 15 years younger. Yours is a hectic life, but don’t take shortcuts with body mechanics. Just trying to look out for you my young brother.

This may very well be your best video to date. Speaking of your date, Lyndsey is pure gold!!

Your best video. Keep on keeping on!

just stumbled on your videos. lots of fun, and that wife of yours is a real gem. Make sure she never forgets that

Young people!!!! Pay attention!!!! THIS ..THIS RIGHT HERE is how its done. Take notes. This is old school mentality, how this beautiful country was built!!

At 27 this young entrepreneur knows what he wants. Has built his business. Has a big fan base on social media. New beautiful supportive wife. It’s good to see they’ve taken time to decompress and get away on vacation. Stay humble. Stay healthy and safe..especially with all the funny risk you take 🥴. Big fan and subscriber from SC 👍🏼🇺🇸

Another great video. God bless your wife and you as well. Fishermen need angels and she definitely is that.

Ive lived in NoVa my whole life and eating crabs was a family tradition. Its gotten so expensive we only eat them if we catch them ourselves now

Keep up the great work ethic! I never realized that was your yard, haha. My dogs used to love sniffing around and running in that field.

Let us know when the crab stand opens so we can come down and buy some of your crabs!!!!

Enjoy the work that you have. That's a benefit. Also, you guys are awesome. I wish you the best of luck this year. Crabbing, you, my friend, are a great crabber but not as good as I am 😊

My young Luke, I think you are learning quickly. When she looks directly at you and says "you made the right choice", then you made the right choice friend. you guys are gonna age well!

Great video. I appreciate your honesty. Keep grinding and things will keep getting better

Seeing this video on a Monday is exactly what I needed thank you

You are what is best about America! Thx for sharing all your thoughts, knowledge, experience and wisdom.

bro mental health is the product of tryin to run a business.... it happens to us all and its a constant work in progress. its a direct sign of those who actually care about what they're doin

Couldn’t agree more Luke. If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Great video, really enjoyed the way broke everything down.

I might have to make a trip to you store this summer. Last year crabs in Delaware were round 300 and bushel. More if they were Chesapeake ones.

What a fantastic story! Very informative. I'm not related, but I'm so proud of you! You have your life and goals in order . . . much better than others in your generation. Stay safe and healthy, and my best wishes to you, your wife, and this year's crab catching 💜 !

This was a very eye opening video to watch. Already respected your work and all watermen and women's work, but this definitely bumped it up a ton. Appreciate you bro! Your a very hardworking dude with good values!

As a young man aspiring to own his own business this video was great. Thank you!

I work at a boat dealership and we have all the slightly used zincs you could want!

Love to see and hear about your adventures, you are so right in your life please keep it up. The more people that see your freedom and passion for life the better we'll be.

Ole son I get you I run a straight to consumer beef company. I feel you, you make me wanna make videos that you do but for the beef cattle industry. It’s a tough industry to feed America when everything falls on the producer. No one understands the work that comes into the end product. Keep grinding!

Simply…Well Said!

The Lyndsey McFadden RU-vid Channel, She totally gets you Luke! You two make a great team. It takes a great woman to keep a man like Luke going so my hat is off to you Lyndsey. Love the channel and all the projects.

Luke….I am glad you are keeping the middle class in mind when selling your crabs. Not many people and businesses do in this economy. Have a safe season and I hope that the crab gods bless you with a great year!!

Epic vid, thanks for sharing. You have me in my late 40s rethinking my career

love you guys...... blessings and adventures ahead.....HUgs...... PAm in PA

Man the cost of everything has gone this way. I have my own trucking company. My costs are quite a bit lower than yours and my income is more guaranteed so i can only imagine. But man just for example tires and oil changes are about 2.5 times higher than before COVID. I also relate so heavily about balancing finances with life and enjoying your partner and time. I could work every single day of the year and make a lot of money but that is a pretty shitty life to live.

Amen to that Luke, you are the inspiration 👍

We need a video of you both attending Career Day at a local school!

Everything has been stated so perfectly 🥺

I just love your channel. Idaho here. My family farms potatoes. However, I used to work in the Alaska salmon fishing season on a tender boat called the Lynda to help pay for college. I told my family it's just farming on water with all the daily challenges. Make it till it breaks or you can afford one (rarely happens) we farmers get it. I just thought it was more fun to be miserable on the water while ya make a living. hang tough bud...

Jeez hah here in Australia crabs and Cray's are unaffordable for allmost everyone

It is an on going situation, though business keeps only the true,fisherman,or the corporates move in.good luck,keep going hard.

Luke hope you have a banner season in 2024. Awesome RU-vid Video 👍