The story follows the Buckle family, which has dominated the fishing industry in a coastal town in North Carolina for generations. Behind the facade of apparent prosperity, there are growing problems in the business and simmering family conflicts. Elderly Harlan Buckle, who heads the fishing empire, is a drunkard and womanizer recovering from a second heart attack. His long-suffering wife Belle, who manages a restaurant, turns a blind eye to her husband's debauchery and harbors her own dark secrets. Their son Kane, trying to improve the family's financial situation, gets involved with criminals. Meanwhile, their daughter Bree, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, strives to regain custody of her teenage son.