The Real Reason Why Andy Hillstrand is Not on Deadliest Catch Anymore

Summary

• Andy Hillstrand has skipped Deadliest Catch several times.
• Although he returned for Season 19, it's unlikely we'll see him on the project again.
• The retired fisherman now lives with his wife in Indiana.

As romantic as commercial fishing may seem, navigating the harsh waters of the Barents Sea is not for the faint of heart. Over the incredible 17 years of Discovery's Deadliest Catch, viewers have been shocked by gruesome, career-ending injuries and even, sadly, deaths, both at sea and on land. But the project is realistic not only because of the tragedies that happen right in front of the cameras, but also because it documents everything that goes on aboard fishing vessels. This makes Deadliest Catch controversial, as the show's participants are real people, and not without their own trials and tribulations.

In particular, over the course of Deadliest Catch's first thirteen seasons, fans have developed a love-hate relationship with the co-captains of the F/V Time Bandit, Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. Not only are the two brothers masterful fishermen with over 30 years of experience, but they are also the ones who have been involved in various Deadliest Catch dramas, leading to both leaving the project in 2017. However, Johnathan has been a regular on the show again, while Andy only returned for Season 19 and has been off the radar ever since.

So why did he leave the project and where is he now in 2024?

Why Did Andy Hillstrand Quit Deadliest Catch?

The drama surrounding the Hillstrand brothers, which nearly led to their permanent departure from the show, first surfaced in 2010. At the time, Discovery Channel sued the brothers, accusing them of breaching their contract by failing to appear for photo shoots and interviews for their personal spin-off, Hillstranded. According to Andy, it was all a big misunderstanding that strained the relationship between the two parties:

'It was a lot about our rights to do our own brand. There was a lot of misunderstanding. We thought Discovery had everything they needed, but then they came back and said they needed pickup shots, so our schedule was pretty much screwed. It got to the point in our relationship where something had to change, and we just said enough's enough. So we butted heads for a while.'

As a result, they and their colleague Sig Hansen left the project in protest, but the conflict was resolved a month later. In 2017, however, a new legal drama erupted: 4 years earlier, the Hillstrand brothers forced their crew member David Zielinski to fire a firework at the rival boat, but it exploded in the fisherman's hand, effectively ending his career. As a result, Zielinski received a $1.4 million settlement and Andy and Johnathan left the project after Season 13.

Why Did Andy Hillstrand Return to Deadliest Catch?

As we know, Johnathan returned to the project in Season 17, but his brother only joined temporarily two years later, appearing aboard the Time Bandit as part of the fall golden king crab season.

Although Andy hasn't been active on social media for a few years now, it appears that he retired after years of working in unbearable conditions.

What's Andy Hillstrand Doing Now in 2024?

According to ClearSpan, a construction company, the Deadliest Catch alum lives with his wife, Sabrina, on a 17-acre ranch in Chandler, Indiana, called Hobby Horse Acres. The couple enjoys horseback riding through lessons and camping trips. The couple is involved in equestrian activities, offering riding lessons.

How Much Is Andy Hillstrand Worth in 2024?

Of course, years of working in the harsh conditions of Alaska and participating in Deadliest Catch have made the intrepid fisherman quite wealthy. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his fortune stands at an impressive $1.5 million.

Source: Entertainment Weekly.