River Monsters (TV Series 2009–2017) Poster

(2009–2017)

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8/10
I don't like fishing.
scubaseven8 June 2019
But this show is great. Watched every episode and would like to see more.
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7/10
Quite enjoyable w/a great host.
TheEmulator238 June 2010
This show is for all of us fisherman out there. We would all love to catch at least one of these monsters in our lives. Besides all the great fish, it's really Jeremy Wade the Biologist/Fisherman/Host that makes it the most entertaining. I hope this show goes on for a long time as it's always interesting to hear all of the stories of these monster fish & how in some cases they've killed or maimed people. The only thing that makes me sad is it seems most of the big fish aren't here in U.S. (Bummer) Although he only covers the freshwater fish right now, I can just imagine how big the fish can be when (hopefully) he switches to the monster fish in the ocean. That can be another series in itself which would again be entertaining as long as Jeremy Wade is the host. I enjoy showing people the fish he catches. My favorite fish so far he has caught has been the huge Aripima he caught out of the Amazon & the other fish w/the huge teeth The Goliath Tiger Fish. The Teeth look like they were tacked on because it doesn't look like it belongs here in this time, but more in the Jurassic era. If you have a chance to look those fish up, you will be quite impressed w/these fish. If you enjoy fishing even a little bit, or just like seeming huge fish you will enjoy this show.
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9/10
For people who have no interest in fishing ....
marklaw-378066 July 2021
... this is the show to watch.

An enthusiastic and entertaining presenter draws you in and you're hooked (sorry!).

You will quickly understand what it is to engage in this sport/hobby and why some estimated 2.9m people do so every week.
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10/10
Finally! A competent reality host w/ a great premise
swanwoods1 August 2010
Jeremy Wade hosts River Monsters and boy does he know what he's talking about. This guy is sharp, multilingual and a great fisherman. Its so refreshing to see a reality host know his stuff and be able to interact so well with both the fish and the local guides, ranging from Tilanders to Amazons to Africans to Alaskans.

So whats the show? Well, each week Wade begins the show by investigating a rumor or myth about a freshwater creature. This bit is a kinda dull for me due to the cheesy editing that seems to insist that the viewers get pointless shots of pointless reenactments of disaster. Why do reality shows insist on doing this? So unnecessary when you have such great content otherwise.

Rant over. So Wade investigates and goes all over the world to find these beasts. As mentioned before, he has command of several languages and to see him investigating by himself w/ only a camera man in a foreign land is way cool. Finally, he tries to catch the river monster and this bit rocks. No question Wade is in his element and eager to find the result and do you know what? He does catch most of these crazy creatures. To see him holding a giant catfish or stingray that he JUST CAUGHT ON FILM during a long battle is super cool. Watch the show. When he says at the beginning that he's an "Extreme angler" he's telling the true.
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10/10
One of the greatest documentaries ever
sharkattack210 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
River monsters is now the most popular show on Animal Planet, and with good reason. It takes the element of fishing and takes it to a whole new level by turning it into a documentary about freshwater fish, but it can also play like a mystery, where the audience can get involved and guess what fish Jeremy is looking for. He gets you interested right off the bat and you never loose your interest.

Over the years, River Monsters has just gotten better. What makes the show great is the fact that the show doesn't focus on Jeremy fishing. I focuses on the fish and showing the audience what lives in our freshwater rivers. The fishing part is just to get the audience to see the fish and it works. By the time the fishing starts, you don't mind because you want to see what lives underneath the surface.

Jeremy has gone all over the world and has done some remarkable things. Like catching Giant Stingrays, Catfish, and even filming the Northern River Shark for the first time in history. He makes the show fun by bringing people into the story and teaching us about thing most people don't know, like giant armor plated gar and living vampires just to name a few. The fishing parts are great, because you can see the power and speed of these amazing animals. During the intense battles like with stingrays and sturgeon, you can almost feel Jeremy's stress, because you can just see Some of the stories however a really violent (I can't say any details), and probably are not recommended for kids, but a lot of the stories are great, and even historic. This year Jeremy went to Chernobyl,to go after a supposed mutant fish, and even took on the legendary Loch Ness Monster, which I promise you will give a reasonable explanation for one of the greatest legends of all time.

Jeremy takes fishing, investigation, biology, and throws them all into one show, and this show. It's a great show that sucks you in right away and makes you wide eyed at just what lives in the worlds freshwater rivers and lakes, and at the same time teaches you about the biology of these fish and the environments they live in. As the slogan says, "it's not about killer fish, it's about a man chasing a legend".
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10/10
One Of A Few Left
juanruiz-6567927 August 2020
Years ago, the Discovery, A & E, and Nat Geo networks opted to eliminate true reality programming , in favor of scripted fiction on the paranormal. UFOs, crypto-zoology, treasure hunters, and rich Alaskans "living off the grid." Viewership and revenue went up; they're cheap to produce and can be rerun ad nauseum. The only cost was their reputation.

River Monsters is one of a handful of authentic programs left. You really can't script catching fish. It is informative, not only about the prey being sought, but the places and people who appear. Wade is an excellent teacher, and the programs include other experts on specific species.

I agree that the reenactments are a little too much, including one that parodies the flight from the ocean in Jaws I. But this is part of the entertainment side of each episode. Animal Planet has been showing old programs once a week, for those who missed their original run.
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10/10
Great Show, Lots of monster fish
jherrmdog14 February 2020
I love this show. Jeremy Wade is an absolute monster at catching river monsters! I like it so much my brother and I made a spoof of it, of us catching our own River Monster. Great Great Show love it.
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10/10
Informative
redeyedtree8 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I can't call River Monsters fun or entertaining but it is fascinating and informative. I love the fact that most of the time attacks are mistaken identity or human error. A little girl with a shiny bottle cap belt. People trodding on nesting grounds. Jumping fish accidentally knocking people off boats. Only a few species are truly aggressive, a vindication that touches my heart. Also, Jeremy visits some amazing places. If you like fish, you'll enjoy it. If you like far away places, you'll enjoy it. If you like science, you'll enjoy it. In every way I recommend River Monsters.
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9/10
Fish are gross, but the host is the most.
rebekahrox11 September 2020
I could care less about fish, but Jeremy Wade is 100% legit. He is entertaining and intriguing and the locales are exotic and beautiful. He also hosts two other shows which are just as good: Mysteries of the Deep and Dark Waters.
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6/10
The fishing sequences are very good
pvoutirakis11 October 2022
This is a great fishing show apart from the overdramatization, which for me is a major negative.

Some drama scenes are annoying and plain unbelievable. The plot of every episode starts with a mystery man-eating monster but in the end there is no monster (duh) except for some seriously big fish. I guess this helps attracts non-fishermen to a show that would otherwise attract mostly fishermen.

On a positive note, the host is a good fisherman with excellent knowledge of the fish he targets and the ecosystems they live in. This portion of the show is by itself highly educational and enjoyable to watch.
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9/10
Drastically over dramatized
peterlov28 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I have to say, I find this show really over dramatized. The host is amazing, the setting is amazing, the fish also but what Discovery did to make it bombastically fantastic is too much for me. The plot usually begins with hearing a rumor about a man-killing fish in some exotic country of the world. Than the host arrives there and no one is telling him the truth / about a fish !!!! Commmon that is unbelievable. After some investigation he find some mysterious fisherman (or even shaman in Africa :)who finally tells him the name of the fish and than he tries to catch that fish.

This documentary tries to be a thriller but what for? It has just the repeating reconstructed sequences over and over.

I would like to have this show more calm and documentary, without this laughable thriller passages, which are unbelievable and ruin the atmosphere.

I think Discovery should learn more from BBC how to do it right. Less of boring dramatizations and more reality in to the documentary.
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10/10
More than just a fishing show
idospasjody9 July 2022
I'm a woman of 55 years old, this show was detrimental with my relationship with my son. He is now 28 years old. This show is more than just a fishing show. It stands the detriment of time. Moms if you want to spend time with your young sons, dads that go for you too. This is a best show to do it. It's an adventure in learning experience like no other show.
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10/10
Best (Fishing) Show Ever
axeldovskog19 January 2024
Probably my favorite television show. The host, Jeremy Wade, is extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and respectful to the animals he interacts with. The fish themselves are extremely fascinating. Although some episodes don't feature particularly large or dangerous animals, the process of catching them are enjoyable to watch.

This show takes place all over the world, from the north-wesern parts of Alaska to secluded rivers in Africa and jungles in Thailand. You even get a bit of a feel for local cultures as Wade investigates fish markets, local legends, and questions fishermen. Although not the focus of the show, he even gives some great fishing tips.
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10/10
This is for all the 'ladies' out there....
TanteWaileka19 August 2013
Well all the guys are 'bla bla blaaahing' about the big fishes this guy catches. Ladies, ladies, here's what YOU want to know... this guy, this Jeremy Wade fella... truth be told he wouldn't be a 'good catch' but he sure as heck would be a GREAT 'catch and release' option. GOOOOD looking (in a 'weatherbeaten' way, but what the hay I likes 'em that way), kinda a fisherman who could be a blended mix of... hmmm... Tom Selleck circa 1995, Charles Bronson circa 1966 with a little Alby Mangels circa 1976 mixed in. Sure you can watch the River Monsters episodes for the scary big fishies, or you can just turn off the sound and watch them for JEREMY WADE. (Forget about him being a biology teacher, bla bla blaaah, he is the 'peasant woman's Bond, James Bond. sigh. Life is short and all the good guys are only available via flat- panel these days. (But if you are into stalking, I don't see anything on here about him that says he's MARRIED, so what's the harm of going on a 'wilding' adventure, ne c'est pas?
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