What is Andy Hillstrand's net worth? 'Deadliest Catch' star trades fishing net for horse ranch in Indiana
TACOMA, WASHINGTON: The Bering Sea is a treacherous stretch of water that has claimed many lives and sunk countless ships. Yet, it is also home to some of the most lucrative fishing grounds in the world, making it a tempting destination for brave and ambitious fishermen. One of the most well-known and respected captains to brave these waters is none other than Andy Hillstrand. Hillstrand rose to fame as one of the stars of the hit Discovery Channel series, 'Deadliest Catch'. The show follows the lives of several fishing crews as they battle the elements and each other in a race to catch as much crab as possible during the dangerous and unpredictable Alaskan crab fishing season. Hillstrand was the captain of the F/V Time Bandit, which was owned and operated by his family.
Over the years, Hillstrand and his crew became fan favorites due to their charismatic personalities, fearless attitudes and impressive fishing skills. Hillstrand himself was known for his unwavering determination, quick thinking and ability to navigate his vessel through the toughest conditions. His success on the show earned him a legion of fans and a reputation as one of the best captains in the business. Just how successful has Hillstrand been in terms of his net worth? It's no secret that the crab fishing industry can be incredibly lucrative for those who are able to catch a lot of crabs and sell them for top dollar. Hillstrand and his crew were no exception, with the F/V Time Bandit consistently ranking among the top crab boats in the fleet. Let's take a deep dive into Hillstrand's net worth and explore how he became one of the most successful crab fishermen in the world.
RELATED ARTICLES
Andy Hillstrand's early life and education
Captain Andy Hillstrand, a well-known figure in the Alaskan crab fishing industry, was born on September 25, 1963, in Homer, a city located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough of Alaska, USA. He grew up in a family that was deeply involved in the fishing business, with his father John Hillstrand Sr being a highly respected fisherman. Unfortunately, little is known about his biological mother, who left the family when he was still a young boy.
Andy's father and stepmother, Nancy, raised him and his four brothers. He spent much of his childhood with his brothers David, Johnathan, Michael and Neal, fishing and learning the ropes of the trade. By the time he was seven, he had already begun fishing with his older brother. He is the third child in a family of five siblings, and three of them share a love for fishing, as they all worked at sea.
Andy met his wife, Sabrina, at a party in Homer when he was just 19. The two began dating and were believed to have gotten married after being together for five years in 1987. They have now been married for over 33 years and continue to have a strong and supportive relationship. As for Andy's beliefs, he is known to hold a strong Christian faith. Despite facing the many dangers at sea, Andy's faith has not wavered.
Andy Hillstrand owns a horse ranch post-retirement
Andy is as passionate about horse riding and has created Hobby Horse Acres, a horse riding school located on his ranch in Indiana. The school, managed by Sabrina, offers lessons on all things horsemanship-related to both children and adults. As of 2023, the ranch is valued at over $300,000, making it Andy's primary source of income after his retirement.
Andy's interest in horse riding began when he rode his daughter's horse. In 2002, Andy and his family moved to Chandler, where he and his wife explored their common interest by spending time riding and helping others. Although they initially thought it was too soon, they bought a horse anyway. He learned how to ride just so he could teach his daughter Casie, but he quickly became a skilled rider himself. In fact, he even won the Alaska National Barrel Horse Association barrel racing reserve title in 1998 and was the state NBHA champ for two years in a row from 1999 to 2000.
Andy is grateful to his daughter's horse, as it was the one that sparked his love for horse riding and eventually led him to create Hobby Horse Acres. The school has become a beloved institution for those in the local community.
What is Andy Hillstrand's net worth?
The well-known fisherman in the USA has been fishing since his childhood. He has been able to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry, thanks to his fishing profession. In 2021, his net worth was around $1.5M, and now, it is estimated to reach $2.2M, per Fact Mandu. Starting his fishing career after his teenage years, he has more than 30 years of fishing experience.
In the beginning, he earned only about $15,000 per year. Now, being a veteran and top-level commercial fisherman, he earns more than $41,590 a year. He was the co-captain of the commercial crab fishing vessel F/V Time Bandit. He and his older brother, Jonathan, were cast members om 'Deadliest Catch' in 2006. He was well-recognized on the show as Captain FV 'Time Bandit' during Opilio Crab fishing season. He was paid between $25,000 and $50,000 per episode from the show's second to the 13th season in 2016.
After leaving the show in 2016, he started the business of horse ranching. As of 2023, his ranch is valued at more than $300,000, which is his primary source of income after his retirement from fishing. Additionally, he earns $10,000 to $15,000 for a good ranch horse. He has also made money from his fireworks business, his book and Time Bandit's merchandise.