[gentle orchestral fanfare] - YEAH.

- LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S A NICE BLUEFISH.

NOW YOU KNOW WHY THOSE BAITFISH ARE BALLED UP SO TIGHT.

THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP FROM GETTING EATEN BY THESE FISH RIGHT HERE, AND A LOT OF OTHERS TOO.

THAT'S A NICE BLUEFISH.

GOOD 1 1/2 POUND FISH.

- ALL RIGHT, HATCH.

TAKE HIM OFF.

- LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM.

- THERE YOU GO.

THANK YOU, SIR.

- IT'S ANOTHER NICE BLUEFISH, CHUCK.

YOU DONE GOOD, SON.

WE STILL GOT ALL THEM FISH RIGHT THERE.

- [ANNOUNCER] THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE.

NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER] AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

[light instrumental music] ♪ - HELLO.

WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, IF YOU LIKE BLUEFISH AND YOU LIKE FLY-FISHING, TODAY IT IS GOING TO BE A TREAT FOR YOU.

JOE, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE TARGETING BLUEFISH, WHICH IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST ABUNDANT FISH WE HAVE IN THE OCEAN OFF OUR COAST AND--USING FLY RODS, AND THEY COME IN ALL-- YOU KNOW, BLUEFISH, YOU CAN CATCH THEM IN ALL DIFFERENT SIZES, AND SO YOU MATCH YOUR TACKLE TO THE SIZE FISH THAT YOU'RE ON.

SO TODAY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO THE COAST, TARGETING BLUEFISH WITH FLY RODS.

- MATCHING THAT TACKLE, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AT GEAR TIME.

- WE WILL.

WE'LL RETURN TO THE COAST.

AND THE GUYS WILL TALK TO US ABOUT HOW THEY RIGGED UP FOR THE CLASS OF FISH THAT THEY WERE ON, THE TYPE OF FLIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

YOU CAN GO TOPWATER.

YOU CAN GO SUBSURFACE.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF OPTIONS FOR YOU.

BUT I THINK THE FACT THAT BLUEFISH ARE SO AGGRESSIVE AND SO MUCH FUN, TO ME, THEY'RE ONE OF MY FAVORITES IN ANY SIZE, AGAIN, MATCHING YOUR TACKLE.

THEY'RE VERY AGGRESSIVE AND JUST A LOT OF FUN TO CATCH.

- AND WE'LL CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY FOR SALMON BURGERS.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

- THAT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT TOO.

OF COURSE, WE DON'T HAVE SALMON IN OUR WATERS, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO EAT SALMON, SO IT'S A DIFFERENT RECIPE FROM HER.

- WELL, WE GOT A LOT GOING ON, SO LET'S GET TO IT HERE TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- DONNIE, IT'S ALWAYS NICE.

WE CAN'T EVEN GET PAST CALICO JACK'S DOWN HERE.

CAN'T EVEN GET PAST SHELL POINT BEFORE WE FIND BLUEFISH DOWN HERE IN ABOUT THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF JUNE IN HERE ON THIS BAIT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO STOP BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO BARDENS INLET, SEE IF WE CAN'T PICK SOME UP ON THESE TINY LITTLE FLY RODS, HAVE A GOOD TIME.

- YES, SIR.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM.

IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL THIS MORNING.

THE BLUEFISH ARE EVERYWHERE, SO--LOOK AT THEM.

THEY'RE POPPING RIGHT THERE, SIDE OF THE BOAT, AND MY HEART'S A-PUMPIN'.

I'M READY TO GO CATCH ONE.

- WELL, HOP UP ON THE FRONT, BUDDY, AND WE'LL GO GET SOME.

- ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, CHUCK.

WE GOT US A NICE SCHOOL OF FISH RIGHT HERE IN FRONT.

THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE, SO I'M JUST GOING TO TRY TO GET READY AND TAKE THIS LITTLE LIGHTWEIGHT HERE AND SEE IF WE CAN SHOOT HER OUT THERE AND SEE IF WE CAN GET ONE TO GNAW ON IT.

COME ON, BABY.

THEY'RE BASICALLY SCATTERED ALL AROUND, JUST OFF THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY HERE.

- OH, IT IS A GORGEOUS MORNING.

I TELL YA, JUST SLICK CALM, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

NOT A BAD WAY TO START THE DAY OFF.

- NO, SIR.

THERE'S A SCHOOL OF FISH RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF US.

THEY'RE SCATTERED ALL UP AND DOWN THIS SHOAL RIGHT OFF THE EDGE.

LOT OF FUN CHASING THE LITTLE MINNOWS USING THESE ULTRA LIGHT FLY RODS.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN TO BE ABLE TO GET THEM ON THIS LITTLE STUFF FOR A CHANGE.

- WATCH OUT, HATCH.

WHAT HAVE WE GOT HERE?

AH.

- WELL, YOU KNOW, WITH ALL THESE LITTLE FISH, THEY'S BOUND TO BE A FEW GROWN ONES IN HERE.

- I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS, BUT IT FEELS GOOD.

- AS LONG AS HE'LL YANK ON IT, WE'LL CATCH ON HIM.

- HE DOES FEEL GOOD.

- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN CATCH MOST ANYTHING IN HERE, FROM BLUEFISH TO SPANISH MACKEREL, EVEN DRUM.

I'VE CAUGHT 'EM ALL RIGHT OUT HERE ON THIS SHOAL.

- WELL, I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE THIS ONE.

HE'S PUT ON A LITTLE SHOW HERE, PUT ON A CLINIC FOR ME THIS MORNING.

ALL RIGHT, HATCH.

THIS HAS GOT A LITTLE BLUES TO HIM HERE.

I'M NOT SURE WHETHER IT'S A BLUEFISH OR A SPANISH.

- WELL, LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET BACK THERE IN YOUR HOLE.

- TELL YOU WHAT, I'M GOING TO GET YOU TO GRAB HOLD OF THIS ONE, IF YOU WILL.

IT'S A NICE BLUEFISH, DONNIE.

GRAB HIM REAL QUICK FOR ME.

- HOLD RIGHT STILL.

LET ME GET THIS LINE IN.

WON'T TAKE BUT A SECOND.

- THIS IS ALL I WANTED ON THIS LITTLE 5-WEIGHT FLY ROD.

THIS THING'S MORE USED TO CATCHING SHAD AND BREAM AND BASS ON A FARM POND.

BUT THIS FEELS RIGHT SPORTY.

- OH, YEAH, THAT'S A NICE ONE.

LOOK AT HIM.

- OH, MY.

- SPITTING UP MINNOWS HE'S FEEDING ON.

- YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

- WE'LL TAKE HIM, WON'T WE, HATCH?

- YES, SIR.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

- JUST LIFT HIM RIGHT UP THERE, BUDDY.

THERE YOU GO.

- I TELL YOU WHAT, HE DIDN'T DO YOUR FLY NO FAVORS.

[laughter] - HE HELD ON TO IT, THOUGH.

- YEAH, BUT HE DON'T WANT TO TURN IT LOOSE.

THAT'S THE FISH RIGHT THERE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO STICK YOUR FINGER IN HIS MOUTH.

- NO, SIR.

THAT'S WHAT THEY MADE DE-HOOKERS AND PLIERS FOR, 'CAUSE HE ATE, PARTNER.

- OH, YEAH.

- THE BARBLESS HOOK COMES RIGHT OUT.

- YEAH.

- NICE ONE.

- NICE LITTLE HARKERS ISLAND BLUEFISH.

- WHAT, A POUND AND 3/4, MAYBE 2 POUND?

BUT HE FELT GOOD.

- YEAH, THEY ALWAYS DO.

- ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MY MAN.

- GOOD JOB.

- APPRECIATE IT.

- GET A LITTLE FISH SLIME ON YOUR HANDS.

GOOD SIGN RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT THEY'RE ALL OUT HERE.

NICE FISH HERE.

- ALL RIGHT, HATCH.

STAY ON HIM, BUDDY.

- OH, I GOT A PELICAN TRYING TO EAT MY BLUEFISH.

- WE'LL GET 'EM BOTH OFF IN A SECOND.

- WELL, THAT'S THE WRONG SPECIES.

- OH, ME.

YOU AIN'T GOING TO CULL A SPANISH OUT THIS MORNING, ARE YOU?

- YEAH, I DONE GOT A SPANISH IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THESE BLUEFISH RIGHT HERE, FIRST THING THIS MORNING.

BUT, SEE, THAT'S THE THING ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT FISH IN HERE ON THESE BAITFISH THAT YOU CAN CATCH A PRETTY SPANISH RIGHT HERE OFF THE INTERCOASTAL RIGHT HERE IN THE SOUND.

- WHEW.

GRACIOUS.

- LITTLE SPANISH.

- WE'RE GOING TO LET THIS GO, AIN'T WE, HATCH?

- YEAH, LET'S LET HIM GO.

WE DON'T NEED NO FISH.

JUST LOVE TO CATCH THEM.

YOU KNOW, I TIED THAT FLY FOR A SPANISH MACKEREL, AND OUT ALL THESE SCHOOLS OF BLUEFISH, I FOUND ME A SPANISH MACKEREL.

SO ME AND MY FLY'S COOPERATING.

- DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

- OH, THERE HE WAS AGAIN.

- YOU GOT A HOT HAND THIS MORNING, HOSS.

ALL RIGHT, HATCH, MAKE YOU A FEW MORE CASTS, AND WE'LL HEAD ON OUT TOWARD BARDENS INLET AND MAYBE GO OUT AND TOWARD THE SHOALS, BUT THE BIRDS HAVE LEFT.

JUST LIKE ELVIS LEAVING THE BUILDING, I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT OVER, BUDDY.

- YEAH, THIS IS--WHEN YOU SEE THE BIRDS GET UP OFF THE WATER AND GET UP HIGH, IT'S TIME TO GO LOOKING SOMEWHERE ELSE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS-- YOU HATE TO SAY SAYONARA.

YOU WANT TO STAY HERE AND FISH, BUT THE FISH ARE MOVING ON OUT NOW.

THE SUN'S GETTING UP A LITTLE HIGHER, SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

WE MIGHT AS WELL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON OUT.

- WE'LL GO OUT, SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME MORE BAIT.

MIGHT EVEN FIND SOME FISH BUSTING BETWEEN BARDENS AND THE SHOALS.

- YES, SIR.

THAT WILL DO.

OKAY.

- DONNIE, WE STOPPED OUT HERE ON A LITTLE BIT OF BAY MARCH AND A COUPLE OF BIRDS POPPING DOWN.

WE GOT SOME BAIT DOWN ABOUT MAYBE 10, 12 FEET OVER HERE, CLOSE TO THE LIGHTHOUSE.

BUT ALWAYS WORTH A TRY OVER HERE.

IT'S SO PRETTY OVER ON THIS EAST SIDE.

- YEAH, THIS IS ALWAYS THE PLACE TO COME TO WHEN YOU WANT TO GET AWAY, AND IT'S SO PRETTY OVER HERE.

IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLY PRETTY.

WE'RE FISHING, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE 20 YARDS OFF THE BEACH.

SEEN SOME SIGNS.

ALL WE GOTTA DO NOW IS SEE IF WE CAN GET SOMETHING TO GNAW.

- TALK 'EM INTO BITING.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT IS A THICK CONCENTRATION OF SHAD RIGHT THERE.

- LOOK AT THAT, BUDDY.

GO ON AND SHOW ME SOMETHING, HATCH.

- I JUST LOVE LOOKING AROUND THE EDGES OF 'EM TO SEE IF I SEE.

- YEP, STAY RIGHT ON THE EDGE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN GET OUT OF THERE.

BUDDY, WE GOT US A NICE BLUEFISH RIGHT HERE.

OH, AND HE'S TRYING TO GET EAT BY ANOTHER BLUEFISH.

- I CAN GET OUT THERE RIGHT BEHIND HIM.

- YEAH.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD WHEN YOU CAN FIND THE LARGE CONCENTRATION.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT RAY DOWN THERE.

WHOA.

LOOK AT THE BLUEFISH THERE.

- I SEE 'EM, HATCH.

I'M GOING TO SEE ONE UP CLOSE IN PERSON HERE IN JUST A SEC.

- YES, SIR.

IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN WHEN YOU CAN FIND A LARGE SCHOOL OF SHAD.

OH, THERE HE GOES.

- LOOK AT HIM JUMP LIKE A BASS.

YOU GOT HIM, HATCH?

- YES, SIR.

I THINK WE CAN HAVE HIM HERE.

- PRETTY WORK, PARTNER.

PRETTY WORK.

- REAL PRETTY BLUEFISH.

- PRETTY WORK.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

- OPEN YOUR MOUTH, SON, AND LET ME HAVE MY BAIT BACK.

I TELL YA, THEY LOVE IT GOOD.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT UP.

- THERE, I GOT SOME PLIERS FOR YOU IF YOU NEED THEM.

- THANK YOU.

- FOLKS JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MUCH FUN THEY ARE ON A LITTLE BRIM ROD.

- WELL... - THERE YOU GO.

- THERE WE GO.

- PRETTY WORK.

LET'S SEE THAT FISH, HATCH.

- SEE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

YOU SEE THE HAIR COMING OUT HIS MOUTH.

THAT'S THE FLY HAIR.

THEY DON'T DO TOO WELL WITH FLIES, BUT THEY SURE ARE MIGHTY FUN TO CATCH.

- WELL, CHECK YOUR LEADER, AND LET'S CATCH ANOTHER ONE.

- OH, THERE HE IS.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.

THERE'S A BLUEFISH.

- WHAT HAVE YOU GOT, HATCH?

- I THINK I GOT ANOTHER BLUEFISH.

OH, YEAH, LOOK AT HIM.

- NICE ONE.

THEY'RE LIKE A PACK OF DOGS DOWN THERE, BUDDY.

- THIS IS SO COOL.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CAN-- - YOU CAN SEE 'EM DOWN THERE.

- WHEN YOU CAN FIND THE BAIT, THE BLUEFISH ARE NOT FAR BEHIND, AND, OH, MAN, DO THEY PULL GOOD ON THIS LIGHT TACKLE.

THEY ARE EXCELLENT.

- LOOK AT HIM, PARTNER.

- THEY REALLY BEND, THESE LITTLE 5- AND 6-WEIGHT FLY RODS.

THEY'RE SO MUCH FUN.

- THEY'D BEND AN 8- OR A 9-WEIGHT.

BUT WE GOT A BEAUTIFUL DAY OVER HERE, NOT A LOT OF WIND.

LET ME GET THIS OUT OF YOUR WAY.

- OH, YEAH.

NICE FISH.

- ALL RIGHT, HATCH.

WANT ME TO HAND YOU THE LEADER?

- WAIT.

- OH!

HE LEFT YOU.

GET YOU ANOTHER ONE.

GET YOU ANOTHER ONE.

ALL RIGHT.

- OKAY, WE'VE FISHED THIS BAIT BALL OUT HERE PRETTY TIGHT.

CHUCK, WHAT DO YOU SAY WE GO DOWN AND PICK US ANOTHER BAIT BALL OUT THAT WE HADN'T FISHED, AND YOU CAN SEE 'EM DOWN THE WAY DOWN THERE.

THEY'RE REALLY ACTIVE, AND WE'LL CATCH US A FEW MORE BLUEFISH.

- LET'S GO, DONNIE.

LET ME GET THIS FLY LINE IN, AND WE ARE READY.

- ALL RIGHT.

- LET ME GET THIS BLUEFISH IN.

OH, A SPANISH.

SPANISH.

NICE SPANISH.

- HEY, WE GOT A BONUS FISH.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

NICE SPANISH.

- HE'S GOING TO THE REAR.

THERE HE IS, HATCH.

NICE SPANISH ON A FLY, BABES.

- THEY ALWAYS MIX IN WITH THESE FISH.

BOY, HE'S A NICE FISH TOO.

- WE WERE JUST GETTING READY TO MOVE, AND HE SHOT THROUGH THERE LIKE A MISSILE.

- SEE IF I CAN GET HIM TURNED AROUND WHERE I CAN GET A HOLD OF HIM.

OH, THAT'S WHAT WE TALK ABOUT.

THESE ARE THE BONUS FISH RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS THE NICE SPANISH MACKEREL THAT MIX IN WITH THESE BLUEFISH, AND VERY TASTY TOO.

- YES, SIR.

THEY'LL BE GOOD ON THE GRILL.

BUT I TELL YOU, HE CAME THROUGH THERE LIKE A ROCKET SHIP, BUDDY.

- HE PRETTY, AND HE FIGHTS GOOD.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO TURN HIM LOOSE ON THIS TIME.

AND THERE HE GOES.

HE WANTS TO GO.

HE WANTS TO GO, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE HE GOES.

WE DON'T WANT TO HURT HIM.

- GET THAT BARBLESS HOOK OUT, HATCH, AND WE'LL LET HIM GO, BUDDY.

WE'LL STILL TRY ANOTHER BAIT BALL.

- GO HOME.

- GO HOME.

THERE YOU GO, BABES.

PRETTY WORK.

- LET'S MOVE BACK UP.

WE GOT A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF BAIT THERE.

IT'S A DEAD GIVEAWAY.

YOU CAN SEE HOW TIGHT THEY ARE.

THEY'RE GETTING EAT.

- WHEN YOU GET IN THERE LIKE THAT, DON, AND YOU SEE THEM BALLED UP, YOU DON'T SEE THEM DOWN THERE MUDDING OR DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THEY'VE COME RIGHT TO THE SURFACE, BECAUSE IF THEY GO ANY DEEPER THAN THAT, SOMETHING'S GOING TO EAT THEM.

- GOT HIM, DONNIE.

GOOD.

HANG IN THERE.

- LORD HAVE MERCY.

THEY'RE THICK.

- IT'S GOING ON NOW FOR SURE.

- LOOK AT THIS ROD BENT, HATCH.

THIS IS JUST ABSOLUTELY AS MUCH FUN AS IT GETS.

- LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S A NICE BLUEFISH.

NOW YOU KNOW WHY THOSE BAITFISH ARE BALLED UP SO TIGHT; THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP FROM GETTING EAT BY THESE FISH RIGHT HERE AND A LOT OF OTHERS TOO.

THAT'S A NICE BLUEFISH.

GOOD 1 1/2 POUND FISH.

- ALL RIGHT, HATCH.

TAKE HIM OFF.

THERE YOU GO.

THANK YOU, SIR.

- IT'S ANOTHER NICE BLUEFISH, CHUCK.

YOU DONE GOOD, SON.

WE STILL GOT ALL THEM FISH RIGHT THERE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THEM.

AND I'M GOING TO GET THIS HOOK OUT OF THIS FISH'S MOUTH, AND WE'RE GOING TO TURN HIM LOOSE, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET BACK RIGHT IN AMONGST THEM AGAIN AND CATCH US ANOTHER FISH.

LET'S TURN HIM LOOSE.

- LET'S GO, HATCH.

- LET'S GO.

WHEN CAN SEE THAT RIGHT THERE, YOU KNOW YOU GOT FISH.

AND THEY ARE BEING EATEN.

THIS IS SO COOL.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET HIM BACK AGAIN.

COME ON, BABY.

HE'D LIKE TO SNATCH IT OUT OF MY HANDS, BUT HE GOT TO SNATCH HARD.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM RIGHT THERE.

IT LOOKED LIKE THAT MIGHT BE THE SPOT RIGHT THERE.

COME ON, BABY.

- TELL YOU, YOU CAN TELL THE FISH ARE SCATTERED AND THEY ARE QUITE EAGER.

- THERE HE IS.

- AH, THERE WE GO.

THAT ONE ATE.

LOOK AT HIM JUMP LIKE A BASS.

AND ALL AROUND HIM, HATCH.

YOU GOT YOUR FLY, AND HE'S STILL THERE.

- YEAH, HE'S STILL THERE.

[laughter] - OH, MY GOODNESS.

- THAT COMES FROM JUST PURE LUCK, BUT, HEY, YOU KNOW, I'D RATHER BE LUCKY THAN GOOD ANY TIME.

- THAT PAYS OFF MORE THAN BEING GOOD.

- THAT'S A FIGHT.

COME HERE, DARLING.

THEY REALLY DO PUT A BOW IN THESE LITTLE ULTRA LIGHT FLY RODS.

IT IS SO MUCH FUN.

COME HERE, BABE.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET YOU IN HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

COME HERE.

- THERE YOU GO.

- OH, HE'S THROWING UP HIS LITTLE COUNTERPARTS THERE.

- SO YOU NEED THE PLIERS.

- LET'S SEE.

I BELIEVE I GOT A DEATH GRIP.

YES, WE'RE GOING TO NEED THEM PLIERS.

SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM TO OPEN HIS MOUTH.

THEY DON'T LIKE TO OPEN THEIR MOUTHS.

THERE HE IS.

- THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING ON THOSE BARBLESS HOOKS.

I MEAN, THAT HOOK WAS DEEP, AND THERE'S NOT A BIT OF BLOOD.

I MEAN, HE'S JUST AS GOOD AS HE WAS WHEN HE COME OUT OF THE WATER.

- YES, SIR.

LOTS OF TEETH.

LOTS OF RESPECT.

WE GOING TO LET HIM GO.

GET OUT OF HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

- THAT BAIT'S JUST SO THICK, YOU COULD WALK ON IT ALMOST.

YOU MIGHT GET YOUR ANKLES WET, BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.

OH, THERE WE GO.

- GOOD FISH.

- THERE WE GO.

- GOOD FISH.

OH, YEAH.

HANG IN THERE WITH HIM.

OH, YEAH.

I BELIEVE THAT MIGHT BE A SPANISH.

- YEAH, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE HIM CAUGHT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, HATCH.

- YEAH, THAT'S A BLUE.

I SEE HIM NOW.

- LITTLE BLUEFISH, AND THERE'S A LOAD OF 'EM AROUND HIM.

AND WE REALLY HADN'T TALKED MUCH, BUT I TELL YA, FLY-FISHING, OR WHATEVER-- I MEAN, IF YOU WERE TO BRING A 10-, 11-, 12-YEAR-OLD KID OUT HERE-- OR ANYBODY, REALLY-- IF YOU DON'T ENJOY THIS, YOU JUST MAY AS WELL TAKE UP GOLF.

- WELL, THIS IS FISHING.

THIS IS FISHING.

- THERE YOU GO, PARTNER.

I'VE DONE ALL I CAN DO TO HIM.

- THERE HE IS.

OKAY, CHUCK.

WE GOT US ANOTHER NICE ONE.

I'M GOING TO GET THIS FLY OUT, AND THAT'S SO MUCH EASIER WHEN YOU GOT THE BARB SMASHED DOWN ON IT.

DON'T GET 'EM IN YOUR FINGER, AND IT RELEASES THE FISH A LOT EASIER, AND WE CAN PUT HIM THE WATER AND LET HIM GO.

AND LET HIM CATCH IT.

AND GET OUT OF HERE, AND WE'LL GET US ANOTHER ONE.

- WE'LL GO PLAY AGAIN, PARTNER.

- JOE, YOU KNOW THE THING ABOUT BLUEFISH: THEY'RE GOOD ON THE TABLE, THEY'RE FUN TO CATCH, AND ANYTIME YOU'RE FISHING WITH A FLY ROD, THAT'S ALWAYS EXCITING.

- ABSOLUTELY, AND AGAIN, MATCHING THE SIZE OF THE TACKLE THAT YOU'RE USING WITH THE SIZE OF THE FISH, WE HAVE BLUEFISH ANYWHERE FROM 10, 12 INCHES ALL THE WAY UP TO-- CHOPPER BLUE IS THE BIG-- HATTERAS BLUES THEY USED TO BE CALLED-- THE BIG ONES UP TO, YOU KNOW, 12, 15 POUNDS.

AND SO YOU JUST, YOU KNOW-- AS LONG AS YOU MATCH YOUR TACKLE WITH THEM, YOU KNOW-- THEY'RE AGGRESSIVE ANYWAY.

THEY GIVE YOU A FIGHT ON ANY SIZED TACKLE.

AND SO MATCH YOUR GEAR, AND YOU'LL HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TACKLE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - WELL, DONNIE, WE GOT YOU BACK UP HERE FROM FLORIDA AND GOT OUT, AND WE CAUGHT SOME BLUEFISH AND SOME REALLY NICE SPANISH.

WE SAW COBIA, SHARKS, RED DRUM, PROBABLY A TARPON.

BUT WE CAUGHT ALL THOSE BLUEFISH AND SPANISH ON RODS THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE A LOT HAPPIER UP ON THE ROANOKE CATCHING HICKORY SHAD OR CERTAINLY MAYBE EVEN IN A FARM POND, CATCHING A BREAM ON A POPPING BUG, BUDDY.

- WELL, TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY OF FISHING.

THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT.

THE FISH COOPERATED.

YOU JUST COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER DAY OF FISHING.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT JUST WAS WHAT IT IS, AND I LOVE IT.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

- WELL, WE CAME OUT HERE TODAY WITH, YOU KNOW, 4-WEIGHT, 5-WEIGHT, 6-WEIGHT FLY RODS, LITERALLY, AND FOLKS JUST CAN'T IMAGINE COMING OUT THIS WAY.

IT'S VERY UNUSUAL TO SEE A LOT OF THESE SMALLER RODS USED IN THE SALTWATER, BUT THE FISH SIZE IS PERFECT.

THE BLUEFISH AND THE SPANISH ARE PERFECT FOR A 5 OR A 6, AND USUALLY YOU DON'T SEE 'EM IN THE SALTWATER BECAUSE THE WINDS ARE BLOWING SO MUCH.

BUT TODAY'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, AND WE JUST HAD A BLAST.

- YEAH, WELL, YOU KNOW, THESE FISH ARE REAL ACCOMMODATIVE TO SMALL FLIES.

I LOVE THE LITTLE CLOUSER IMITATIONS AND WHATNOT.

SYNTHETICS WORK GOOD.

DEER HAIR IS A GIFT.

IF YOU LIKE USING DEER HAIR FLIES, THAT'S A GREAT FLY TO USE, BUT THEY DO TEND TO GET CHEWED UP QUITE BAD.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU COME OUT HERE AND USE THESE FLIES, WHAT'S YOUR BEST WAY OF GOING.

- EXACTLY.

ONE LAST THING, THOUGH, IS, WE USED SINKING LINES TODAY, OR SINK-TIP LINES, JUST ABOUT ALL DAY, AND WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE WERE FISHING OVER BAIT BALLS, AND WE WANT THAT FLY TO GET ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THAT BAIT BALL AND KIND OF SINK LIKE IT'S AN INJURED MINNOW.

AND THEN ONCE YOU START MOVING IT THEN-- AND A LOT OF TIMES JUST ON THE DROP, THOSE BLUEFISH AND SPANISH CAN'T STAND IT.

- WELL, THAT'S THE KEY.

YOU KNOW, KNOWING WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND A FEW THINGS HERE AND THERE LIKE THE SINKING LINE, GETTING THAT BAIT TO LOOK LIKE HE'S DYING AS HE FALLS IS A KEY, AND THAT'S WHAT TRIGGERS THOSE BLUEFISH THAT YOU WANTED.

- WELL, BUDDY, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK.

I CAN'T WAIT TO DO SOME MORE OF THIS ALL SUMMER, 'CAUSE I GOT YOU TILL NOVEMBER.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'LL KEEP ON UNTIL WE CAN'T.

- FANTASTIC.

- WELL, IF YOU'D LIKE TO TRY FISHING FOR BLUEFISH, YOU CAN CALL THIS NUMBER THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

WE THANK OUR FELLOWS FOR THAT INFORMATION.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE HAS GOT A RECIPE TODAY.

WELL, IT'S FOR BURGERS, BUT IT'S JUST A TWIST.

IT'S WITH SALMON HERE TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

[instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING SALMON BURGERS, AND THIS IS A GREAT AND QUICK RECIPE.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO USE MAYBE SOME LEFTOVER FISH THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE, AND YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO SERVE IT THE SAME WAY.

SO THIS IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE, OR A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT.

I KNOW AT OUR HOUSE WE LIKE TO TAKE OUR LEFTOVERS AND KIND OF CREATE NEW MEALS SO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE EATING SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

SO WE HAVE OUR SALMON, WHICH WE JUST KIND OF CRUMBLED IT UP.

WE HAVE IT IN OUR BOWL.

WE'RE GOING TO ADD SOME CHIVES AND SOME GREEN ONIONS TO THIS, OR SOME SCALLIONS, AND GIVE THAT A TOSS.

AND IT ALSO ADDS GREAT COLOR AS WELL AS SOME GREAT FLAVOR.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN OUR ONE EGG WHICH WILL HELP TO COMBINE ALL THE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER.

AND WE'RE GOING TO KIND OF JUST MIX THAT, AND THEN I'M GOING TO ADD IN SOME DIJON MUSTARD AS WELL.

AND GIVE THAT A STIR.

AND THEN TOSS IT ALL TOGETHER.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO ADD IN JUST A LITTLE BIT OF SOME MAYONNAISE TO THIS.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN ABOUT A 1/4 CUP OF SEAFOOD BREADER TO THIS, AND THAT WILL HELP BIND IT TOGETHER AS WELL, AS WELL AS GIVE IT SOME GREAT FLAVOR.

SO WE'RE GOING TO USE ABOUT 1/4 CUP OF THAT.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF IT, AND WE'RE GOING TO USE IT ONCE THEY'RE ALL COMBINED TO PUT OUR PATTIES IN IT BEFORE WE FRY THEM.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO MIX ALL THAT TOGETHER, AND IT'LL BE A LITTLE THICK.

AND IF IT'S-- DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER, SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT NEED TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE, DEPENDING ON IF IT'S REALLY HUMID OUTSIDE.

YOU MIGHT NEED TO ADD A LITTLE MORE BREADER TO KEEP THIS TOGETHER.

ONCE IT'S MIXED TOGETHER, THEN YOU'RE JUST GOING TO FORM THESE INTO PATTIES.

AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS, I'VE GOT ONE FORMED ALREADY, AND I'M JUST GOING TO PUT SOME OF MY BREADER DOWN ON MY CUTTING BOARD HERE, AND I'M GOING TO TAKE MY PATTY, AND I'M JUST GOING TO PRESS IT INTO MY BREADER AND COAT IT ON ALL SIDES.

FLIP IT OVER.

MAKE SURE IT STAYS IN A NICE ROUND FORM.

KIND OF SHAKE OFF MY EXCESS.

THEN I'M GOING TO PUT IT INTO MY OIL AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NICE AND WARM.

AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO FRY THAT UNTIL IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN ON EITHER SIDE.

AND THAT WILL PROBABLY TAKE PROBABLY 5 TO 7 MINUTES PER SIDE, AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN, AND THEN YOU'RE READY TO SERVE IT.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WHEN WE SERVE IT.

THIS IS HOW I'VE SERVED MINE.

I HAVE IT ON A NICE THIN BUN, OR YOU CAN USE A NICE HARD CRUNCHY BREAD IF YOU LIKE, BUT I LIKE THE THINNER BUNS.

I'VE GOT A PIECE OF PROVOLONE CHEESE, WHICH IS GREAT.

YOU CAN TOAST THAT AND MELT IT DOWN IF YOU WANT.

THEN I HAVE SOME GREAT LETTUCE GREENS ON IT AND SOME NICE RIPE TOMATOES.

AND THEN I SERVED IT WITH SOME VEGETABLE CHIPS JUST TO ADD SOME COLOR AND SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS SALMON BURGER, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA.

ANOTHER GREAT RECIPE.

JOE, I WANT TO ASK YOU THIS: IS THERE A BETTER SEASON FOR FISHING WITH A FLY ROD FOR THE BLUES?

- YOU KNOW, NOT REALLY.

I THINK AS SOON AS THEY SHOW UP IN APRIL, DEPENDING ON HOW FAST THE WATER TEMPERATURE COMES UP, TO THE TIME THEY LEAVE US IN DECEMBER WHEN THE WATER TEMPERATURE STARTS GOING DOWN, THEY'RE IN OUR WATERS.

THEY'RE NORMALLY VERY AGGRESSIVE FEEDERS, AND IF YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF IN THAT SITUATION AROUND THEM, POP OUT THAT FLY ROD.

THEY'LL HIT JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, AND AS WE SAID EARLIER, YOU CAN CATCH THEM ON TOP.

YOU CAN CATCH BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE WATER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM.

THEY'RE AVAILABLE UP AND DOWN THE COAST.

TRY THE INLETS, PARTICULARLY, LIKE, THE INLETS WHERE YOU HAVE CHANGING TIDES, YOU'LL USUALLY FIND BLUEFISH.

SO FOR YOU FLY RODDERS, GEAR UP.

IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED THEM, GIVE THEM A TRY.

- ALL RIGHT, JUST ANOTHER GOOD DAY OF FISHING IN NORTH CAROLINA.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- [ANNOUNCER] MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

- [ANNOUNCER] THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE.

NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER] AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

[light instrumental music] ♪