Deadliest Catch Season 18 Episode 4 Invasive Russian Reds

As the season wears on, the fishermen of the Bering Sea are still at it, battling for their very livelihoods. On the Cornelia Marie, Captains Josh Harris and Casey McManus are coming up against a different set of challenges. They're hunting for alaskan king crab, but have to fight off hordes of a different species that have moved into the area: invasive Russian red king crab.

The Cornelia Marie's crew is out to harvest as many legal alaskan king crab as they can, but with the invasive reds now popping up all over the place, it's rough going. The species is not just a direct threat to the Cornelia Marie's profits, but also has the potential to upset the delicate ecological balance of the Bering Sea. The invasive crabs could become predators to the native species and throw the entire ecosystem off-kilter if not kept under control, making this battle all the more important.

Meanwhile, the Wizard is trying something a little different. Captain Keith Colburn is looking for different species to bring on board, hoping to make up for any lack of crab with other catches. After all, there's no shortage of fish in the Bering Sea. With a daring move, Keith is experimenting with using pots normally reserved for crab to catch fish instead. It's a risky move, given that these pots are untested in open waters and may not keep their catch from escaping. But if it works, it could revolutionize the way fishermen approach the challenges of this season.

The Saga, captained by Jake Anderson, is also facing its own unique dilemma. The boat's new, greenhorn deckhand has been struggling to keep up with the demands of the job, and Jake is worried that his lack of experience could put the entire boat in danger. He decides to put the young man through his paces, testing his mettle and seeing if he has what it takes to be part of the Saga's elite crew.

The Time Bandit, one of the longest-serving boats in the Deadliest Catch fleet, is out to bring in a big catch. Captain Johnathan Hillstrand and his crew take on the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea, pulling in pots with a frenetic pace. But their luck could run out at any moment, with hostile weather and the ever-present threat of equipment failure constantly looming over them.

Invasive Russian Reds is another intense episode of the long-running fishing show, as these determined men navigate the choppy waters of the Bering Sea, battling not just the elements, but also competitors, mechanical faults and a resilient invasive species. With every catch comes life-changing rewards.