[gentle orchestral fanfare] - ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET THE BOGA.

[gasps] GONNA HAVE TO START SHEDDING SOME CLOTHES NOW TOO.

I'M STARTING TO GET HOT.

[laughs] - MAN, HE JUST SMOKED IT OUT HERE.

I THOUGHT I'D MISSED HIM.

- HE HIT IT AND COME TO YOU?

- YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, TAKE IT EASY ON HIM.

LET'S JUST GET A GOOD LOOK AT HIM AND SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

I'M GONNA LET YOU JUST KIND OF PLAY HIM RIGHT HERE AT THE BOAT FOR JUST A SECOND, 'CAUSE HE'S STILL FIRED UP.

- [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, AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM IS GONNA TAKE US DOWN TO THE CAPE FEAR RIVER.

WE'RE GONNA BE FISHING FOR STRIPERS, AND, JOE, WE WERE CATCHING THEM UP TO 11 POUNDS.

- WE HAD ONE OF THOSE MORNINGS THAT YOU JUST PRAY FOR WHEN YOU GO STRIPER FISHING OR REALLY FOR ANY TYPE OF FISHING, FOR THAT MATTER.

BUT IT WAS THE FIRST WEEK IN MARCH FOLLOWING THIS REALLY COLD WINTER WE'VE JUST COME OUT OF, WHAT, THE COLDEST WE'VE HAD IN THREE DECADES, AND IT WAS A DAY THAT WE GOT IN BETWEEN SOME WEATHER FRONTS, AND IT WAS JUST-- LIKE I SAID, A PICTURE-PERFECT DAY, FISHING A FALLING TIDE FOR STRIPERS, AND JUST CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH.

- WELL, THE FISH GOT ON PRETTY QUICK.

TELL ME ABOUT THE BAIT.

- YEAH, WE WERE USING-- WE ACTUALLY WERE GONNA DIVIDE THE MORNING UP, DEPENDING ON THE, YOU KNOW, HOW THE TIDE WAS WORKING AND HOW THE FISH BITE WAS COMING ON.

BUT WE-- THE FIRST LURE WE USED-- AND THEY'LL TALK ABOUT IT IN GEAR TIME-- WAS WHAT THE FISH WANTED THAT DAY, AND THAT TOOK CARE OF THEM.

- AND DONNA'S GOT A SALAD TODAY USING SHRIMP.

- IF YOU LIKE SHRIMP, STAY TUNED.

IT'S A DIFFERENT WAY OF PREPARING SHRIMP, AND IT'S STRAIGHT FROM HER KITCHEN.

- WELL, IT'S ALL ABOUT FISHING TODAY RIGHT HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- STU, WELL, WE'RE OUT HERE ON THE CAPE FEAR RIVER.

WE'VE GOT THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY.

I MEAN, IT'S ONE OF THE BEST WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO.

I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO YOU TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING HERE ON THIS RIVER THIS WINTER.

NOW, WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED FOR US TODAY?

- WELL, TODAY WE'RE GONNA GO STRIPER FISHING.

I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU WE GOT THEM UP HERE, AND TODAY WE'RE GONNA SHOW YOU WE GOT THEM UP HERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THEM, BUT WE DO HAVE THEM ON THIS RIVER.

AND THERE'S A NICE STOCK OF THEM DOWN HERE ON THE CAPE FEAR RIVER.

WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO TODAY IS, WE GOT A NICE WATER TEMP, FINALLY, 48 DEGREES.

THAT'S BEEN GREAT CONSIDERING HOW COLD THIS WINTER HAS BEEN.

WE'VE GOT A NICE SHORELINE WE'RE GONNA WORK ON THIS HIGHER TIDE.

AND AFTER THIS TIDE STARTS TO FALL OUT, WE'RE GONNA MOVE OUT TO THE SHELVES OUT THERE OFF THE BEACH THERE JUST A LITTLE BIT.

BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GONNA WEAVE THE SOFT PLASTICS UP TIGHT TO THE BANK.

LATER ON INTO THE DAY, WE'LL SWITCH OVER TO DIFFERENT MAYBE HARD BAITS, AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE AND TRY TO GET THEM ON THAT SHELF.

- WELL, MAN, THAT SOUNDS REAL GOOD TO ME.

I'M JUST...

I'M READY TO GO.

ARE WE--ARE WE WHERE WE'RE GONNA START?

- WE ARE WHERE WE'RE GONNA START.

WE'RE GONNA GET UP ON THESE BANKS, HEAD UPRIVER, AND JUST START WORKING UP TILL WE FIND THE BAIT.

THE TIDE'S GONNA START FALLING.

IT'S GONNA START DRAWING THESE MENHADEN OUT, AND THEY SHOULD FIRE OFF REAL GOOD FOR US.

- HEY, THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

LET'S GO CATCH SOME.

- LET'S DO IT.

LET'S GET ONE.

REAL QUICK.

RIGHT OFF THE BAT HERE.

ALL RIGHT, YOU MOVE AROUND WHERE YOU GOT TO, OKAY?

- COME HERE.

- OKAY, NOW I GOT THE POWER-POLES DOWN AND THE TROLLING MOTOR'S DOWN.

- HE'S IN FRONT OF IT.

- OKAY, LET ME KNOW IF I GOT TO-- DO I NEED TO PICK THE TROLL MOTOR UP?

- NO, I GOT HIM CLEAR.

- OKAY.

LOOK AT THAT PRETTY FISH.

- NICE STRIPER.

NICE FISH.

- ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET THE BOGA.

[gasps] GONNA HAVE TO START SHEDDING SOME CLOTHES NOW TOO.

I'M STARTING TO GET HOT.

[laughs] - MAN, HE JUST SMOKED IT OUT HERE.

I THOUGHT I'D MISSED HIM.

- HE HIT IT AND COME TO YOU?

- YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, TAKE IT EASY ON HIM.

LET'S JUST GET A GOOD LOOK AT HIM AND SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

I'M GONNA LET YOU JUST KIND OF PLAY HIM RIGHT HERE AT THE BOAT FOR JUST A SECOND, 'CAUSE HE'S STILL FIRED UP.

I'M GONNA LET HIM SIMMER DOWN A LITTLE.

THAT'S A NICE WAY TO START.

- YEAH.

- YEAH, BABY.

- THIS IS RIGHT IN HERE WHERE WE FOUND THEM THAT OTHER TIME.

- YEAH, IT IS.

COME ON, BABY.

DON'T YOU DO THAT.

GOT YOU.

- THERE YOU GO.

- THERE WE GO.

- HEY.

- YEAH, WE'LL TAKE THAT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK, ESPECIALLY IN, WHAT, EARLY MARCH.

IS IT MARCH 1ST?

- MARCH THE 1ST.

- BEEN WINTERED THE WHOLE TIME.

- 48-DEGREE WATER THAT'S JUST WARMED FROM 42 IN THE PAST WEEK.

- AND A PRETTY STRIPER TO START OFF WITH.

LET ME GRAB MY PLIERS.

- THAT'S A NICE, FAT-- THAT'S GOT TO BE A SOON-TO-BE MAMA FISH, GONNA PUT US A BUNCH MORE LITTLE STRIPERS UP IN HERE.

- LET'S SEE HOW MUCH THIS LITTLE THING IS HERE.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE RIGHT AT 6 POUNDS FOR THAT FISH?

BECAUSE OF THAT GUT.

- THAT BELLY IS THE STUFF, NOW.

- ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS A HEALTHY CAPE FEAR RIVER STRIPER RIGHT THERE.

- YES, IT IS.

THAT'S A NICE, FAT FISH.

SHE'S BEEN FINDING SOMETHING TO EAT.

- YES, SHE HAS.

COME ON, PRETTY THING.

LET'S GET YOU BACK IN HERE.

YOU GO BACK AND GET ABOUT 30 POUNDS.

THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT, COME ON.

THERE SHE GOES.

ALL RIGHT.

- ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD JOB, MAN.

- GOOD JOB, MAN.

- NICE.

- THANK YOU.

- I LOVE IT.

- THANK YOU.

- JERRY, HOW FAR OFF THE BANK WAS THAT FISH THAT YOU JUST CAUGHT?

- MAN, HE WAS--HE WAS RIGHT THERE ON THAT LITTLE POINT WHERE THAT LITTLE CREEK CAME OUT, BETWEEN THAT POINT AND THAT MAT.

HE WAS PROBABLY ONLY ABOUT 2 FEET OFF THE POINT.

SO HE WAS REAL TIGHT.

- OKAY.

I'M JUST TRYING TO PATTERN IT RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE GOT SOME SCATTERED STUMP OUT HERE TOO, SO I'M TRYING TO FISH OVER THAT, BUT YOU KIND OF GIVE ME AN IDEA OF SHOULD WE, YOU KNOW, TARGET TIGHT OR FISH ALL THE WAY OUT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OUR PATTERN THIS MORNING.

GOT HIM, BUDDY.

- NICE.

LET ME GET OUT YOUR WAY AND GET THIS NET.

- I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S A BIG 'UN, BUT WE'LL SEE HERE.

WELL, HE THUMPED IT PRETTY GOOD TOO.

OH, YEAH, IT'S ANOTHER NICE ONE.

THIS IS A NICE ONE TOO, JERRY.

OH, COME ON, BABY.

DON'T DO THAT.

- WHOO.

SHE'S STILL A LITTLE GREEN THERE, STU.

- I'M GONNA ROLL HER RIGHT TO YOU.

YEAH, BABY.

- ALL RIGHT.

- YEAH!

- LOOK AT THAT.

NICE FISH.

- YEAH.

- NICE FISH.

- ALL RIGHT, BABY.

LET ME GET A GOOD HOLD ON YOU NOW.

DON'T START DOING THAT.

GOD ALMIGHTY.

THAT'S ANOTHER BIG ONE.

ALL RIGHT, COME HERE.

[grunts] THERE WE GO.

- LOOK AT THAT BELLY.

- LOOK AT WHERE THE-- LOOK AT THAT.

- THAT'S WHY... - THAT'S WHY WE USE A NET.

THERE YOU GO.

- THAT'S WHY WE'RE USING THE NET RIGHT THERE.

LOOK AT THAT FISH.

- YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A HARD WINTER, BUT THESE FISH ARE EATING SOMETHING.

- THAT IS A GUT RIGHT THERE.

- THEY ARE--THEY ARE FULL.

- THAT IS A PRETTY, HEALTHY STRIPER.

THAT'S PROBABLY ANOTHER 6 OR 7, 8 POUNDER RIGHT THERE, I BET.

IT'S PROBABLY CLOSE TO 7 OR 8, JUST BECAUSE HIS BELLY'S SO FULL.

- OH, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THOSE ARE PRETTY FISH.

- LOOK AT THE THORN.

LOOK AT THE SPINES ON THAT THING.

- YEAH, SHE--SHE'S IN DEFENSIVE MODE RIGHT NOW.

- MAN, YEAH.

I'D HATE TO GET STUCK BY THAT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S LET HER GO.

COME HERE, YOU SWEETHEART.

AH, OH, YEAH.

COME ON, LET GO.

THERE YOU GO.

OW.

LET GO OF MY THUMB, AND I'LL LET GO OF YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

- SHE GOT A LITTLE TASTE OF THAT THUMB.

SHE WAS STILL HUNGRY.

- GOT AHOLD OF IT RIGHT THERE.

- THAT PLASTIC DIDN'T FILL HER UP.

- GOOD JOB.

[chuckles] OH, I LOVE IT.

- ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB, STU.

- I LOVE IT.

- POINT HIM OUT.

- [laughs] - I LIKE THAT.

CAST RIGHT THERE.

AND YOU CAST THERE, AND THE FISH EAT.

- YEAH.

IT'S NICE WHEN THAT WORKS OUT.

IT JUST DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OUT QUITE LIKE THAT.

- IT'S A HECK OF A PLAN.

- OH.

- THIS ONE TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF DRAG EARLY.

- OKAY, YOU GO WHEREVER YOU NEED TO.

I'M GONNA-- I'M GONNA TRY TO POINT THE NOSE AWAY FROM YOU.

- THIS IS GONNA BE A LEFT-HANDED FISH.

- ALL RIGHT.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO JUST LET THE NOSE SWING WITH THE CURRENT HERE.

YOU JUST LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GOT.

I'M GONNA FOLLOW YOU.

YOU JUST MOVE AROUND THAT TROLLING MOTOR.

- I BELIEVE WE MIGHT BE GONNA BE READY.

- ALL RIGHT.

OH, IT'S A FAT ONE TOO.

JUST RIGHT THIS WAY A LITTLE.

- TURN, TURN, TURN HIM.

- COME ON, BABY.

COME ON, BABY.

- TURN AND POINT.

- OH, OH!

SHE'S OUT.

SHE'S OUT.

SHE DIDN'T GET IN.

- OKAY.

- COME HERE, SWEETHEART.

COME ON, SWEETHEART.

- SHE WON'T LET ME POINT HER.

THERE YOU GO.

- THERE WE GO.

- ANOTHER NICE FISH.

- LET ME POP THAT D.O.A.

OUT OF HIS MOUTH.

ALL RIGHT, I'M JUST GONNA LAY THAT RIGHT HERE.

- IF IT AIN'T CHARTREUSE, THERE AIN'T NO USE.

- THERE AIN'T NO USE.

LET'S LAY HER UP THERE.

- COME ON, MAMA.

- AND LET'S SEE WHAT LENGTH WE GOT.

- JUST LAY DOWN HERE.

- OKAY.

- AND SEE... - THERE IS HER MOUTH.

25 1/2 INCHES.

- YEP.

- AND LET'S SEE WHAT SHE WEIGHS.

RIGHT OVER-- RIGHT OVER 8 POUNDS.

- ALL RIGHT, COME ON, GIRL, COME ON.

THERE WE GO.

THERE WE GO.

BLESS GOD.

- THERE SHE GOES.

- THERE WE GO.

- GOT TO GET A LAST TOUCH ON HER AS SHE SWIMS OFF.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOOD JOB.

- THERE WE GO, BIG MAN.

ALL RIGHT.

LOVE IT.

YEAH.

- CAPE FEAR RIVER STRIPERS, WE GOT THEM.

- IT'S ACTUALLY A BEAUTIFUL DAY, AND WE GOT STRIPERS FISHING.

- STU, WE'VE BEEN UP HERE TODAY, AND IN MY OPINION, WE'VE HAD A REAL GOOD DAY.

IS IT ALWAYS LIKE THIS OR... - [laughs] IT'S NOT ALWAYS LIKE THIS.

WE DID JUST HAPPEN TO TIME IT RIGHT.

THIS IS, YOU KNOW, EARLY SPRING.

IT'S MARCH 1ST.

THE WATER HAS HAPPENED TO JUMP UP TO 48, 49 DEGREES.

BUT THESE FISH WILL BITE ALL WINTER LONG, AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T GET TOO COLD.

THIS IS ONE FISHERY THAT YOU CAN COME DOWN HERE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, AND YOU CAN COME HERE AND CATCH, YOU KNOW, EIGHT OR TEN A DAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU WILL GET THOSE DAYS WHERE YOU'RE UP IN THE 15s TO THE 20s.

I MEAN, WE DEFINITELY GET THEM.

- IT SURE HAS BEEN FUN HERE TODAY.

- YEAH, WELL, WE TIMED IT RIGHT.

THAT LOW COMING UP THE COAST.

WE'RE RIGHT ON TIME.

I JUST THREW UP THE BANK A LITTLE BIT.

AND HE'S ON IT.

OH, OH, GET AWAY FROM THAT TROLL MOTOR NOW.

OH, HERE HE GOES, TAKING A LITTLE DRAG.

OH, YEAH, ANOTHER NICE ONE.

LISTEN TO THAT.

[line whirring] - I LIKE THAT SOUND.

- YEAH, HE'S ACTUALLY RUNNING DRAG ON ME, JERRY.

THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD ONE HERE.

HE'S GOT A... MAN, LOOK AT THAT BOW IN THE ROD, JERRY.

- YEAH, YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF PRESSURE ON HIM.

- I DO.

I'VE GOT SOME DRAG ON HIM.

OHH!

[groans] YEAH, THIS WILL BE OUR DOUBLE-DIGIT ONE RIGHT HERE, JERRY.

ABOUT TO WRAP IT AROUND HIS FIN.

- OKAY, ROLL, ROLL.

- THERE HE GOES.

- I THINK THAT'S-- - I THINK HE'S GONNA GO TO THE OTHER SIDE.

I THINK THE CURRENT'S GONNA PUSH HIM OUT THIS WAY.

ALL RIGHT, ARE YOU READY?

- YEP.

- I'M GONNA TRY TO LEAD HIM TO YOU IF I CAN.

THIS IS OUR BIGGEST ONE RIGHT HERE.

YOU READY?

HERE HE COMES.

COME ON, BABY.

GET IN THERE.

YEAH.

- YEAH, THIS IS THE BIGGEST ONE.

WHOO.

LOOK AT THE BELLY.

AND IT'S--IT'S 5 INCHES LONGER THAN THAT ONE WE JUST MEASURED.

- GOOD LORD.

LOOK AT THAT.

- THAT IS--AND THERE'S A BAIT DOWN IN THAT MOUTH SOMEWHERE.

- THERE IS A BAIT IN THERE.

- HE WAS HUNGRY.

- ALL RIGHT, LET ME GRAB THAT BOGA.

- THESE FISH HAVE BEEN USED TO EATING.

- SEE IF I CAN JUST GET AHOLD OF HIM, KEEP CONTROL OF HIM WITH THIS, NOT HURT HIM.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA LIFT HIM OUT.

CAN YOU GET THAT OUT OF THERE?

- HOLD ON, MAMA.

- COME ON, SWEETHEART.

- HOLD ON, MAMA.

- COME ON, SWEETIE.

ALL RIGHT, HE'S OUT OF THE NET.

ALL RIGHT-- OH, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK.

WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THAT NET?

- I TELL YOU WHAT.

- LOOK AT THAT BIG OLD THING.

SEE HOW MUCH THIS ONE WEIGHS.

11 POUNDS.

- TOLD YOU THAT WAS THE DOUBLE-DIGIT ONE.

- YEAH!

WHOO!

JERRY!

MAN, I AM TELLING YOU WHAT.

LOOK AT THE BELLY ON THAT THING RIGHT THERE, JERRY.

- THAT IS A FISH.

- LOOK AT THAT.

I'M 6'2".

LOOK AT THE GUT ON THAT THING.

UH!

- THAT IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

- ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO GET HER BACK IN THE WATER.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA LET YOU GO.

THERE YOU GO.

OW.

LET GO OF MY THUMB, AND I'LL LET YOU GO.

THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

WHOO.

- YOU DONE?

- YEAH, I'M DONE.

THAT'LL GET MY HEART GOING RIGHT THERE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- I'M SWEATING.

- MAN, GOOD JOB.

- JERRY, WE MIGHT NOT EVEN HAVE TO GO DEEP TODAY.

THE FISH ARE UP HERE ON THIS SHALLOW FLAT.

WE'RE NOT IN BUT 3 FOOT OF WATER.

- STU, I'M LOVING THIS.

THIS IS JUST... YOU KNOW, THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

I DON'T MIND NOT GOING DEEP.

- [chuckles] ME NEITHER.

- I JUST HAD A BUMP A MINUTE AGO, AND HE DIDN'T GIVE ME ENOUGH TO GET THE HOOK SET.

- RIGHT.

- THIS TIDE COMING OUT HERE, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S BAIT IN IT, 'CAUSE THE FISH ARE JUST FOLLOWING IT.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, EVERY FISH IS JUST BIG AND FAT.

AND THEY'RE SITTING RIGHT IN THE MOUTH OF THIS LITTLE CREEK, AND WE'RE IN, LIKE I SAID, 3 FOOT.

BUT WE'LL DO IT.

I'LL TAKE SHALLOW ANY DAY OVER DEEP, 'CAUSE THAT WAY, I DON'T HAVE TO PULL THEM BIG OLD CRANKBAITS OUT.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.

- ALL RIGHT.

- YEAH, BABY, ALL RIGHT.

GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.

- I DON'T THINK THIS FISH IS AS BIG AS THE OTHERS, BUT IT WAS STILL WELCOME.

- THAT IS ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE WILL TAKE HIM.

YOU GOT TO CATCH A SMALL ONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.

- OKAY, COME ON.

- LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

ALL RIGHT, LITTLE STRIPER.

LITTLE PUP.

- THERE ARE PLACES IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A BIG FISH.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

NICE LITTLE PUP.

COME HERE, LITTLE SWEETHEART.

COME HERE.

GOD.

FELL RIGHT OUT OF THE NET.

COME HERE, SWEETHEART.

- TURN HIM.

- OH, THERE WE GO.

GOT HIM THAT TIME.

- ALL RIGHT, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO CATCH A LITTLE FISH SOMETIME.

- WE'LL TAKE IT.

- YOU GOT TO HAVE THE YEAR CLASS IN HERE TO KEEP THEM GROWING.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

GET THAT D.O.A.

OUT.

PRETTY LITTLE THING.

- IT'S STILL A STOCKY LITTLE FISH.

- 4 POUNDS.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT'S 4 POUNDS?

- IN A, WHAT, 19-INCH FISH?

- YEAH, I MEAN... - THAT'S A PRETTY HEALTHY FISH.

- ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET HER BACK IN THERE.

ALL RIGHT, BIG FELLA.

YOU'LL BE BIG ONE DAY.

THERE HE GOES.

- ALL RIGHT, GOOD JOB, STU.

- TAKE IT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

GIVE ME ONE.

RIGHT OFF THE EDGE OF THIS CURRENT RIGHT HERE.

- THAT ONE WAS COURTEOUS TOO.

I HAD MY LINE OUT OF THE WATER.

- ALL RIGHT, HE'S COMING OUT WITH THE CURRENT.

HE'S GOING AROUND THIS SIDE.

- OH, ANOTHER NICE FISH.

- ANOTHER NICE FISH.

I HOPE I GOT A GOOD HOOK IN HIM.

I'M NOT SURE IF I DO.

- GET HIM UP HERE.

I'LL SURROUND HIM WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WEBBING.

- ALL RIGHT.

I'LL TRY.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA START EASING HIM TO YOU.

COME ON, BABY.

YEAH!

[laughter] NICE FISH.

- YEAH!

D.O.A.

WORKING AGAIN, BABY.

TELLING YOU.

- COME ON, BIG GIRL.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA LET YOU GO.

HOW MUCH DOES THAT FISH WEIGH?

SHE'S GOT TO BE CLOSE TO 9.

- SHE... SHE'S BARELY PAST-- PUSHING IT-- WE'RE 10, BOUNCING JUST OVER.

- YEAH!

- ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, MAMA, LET'S GET YOU BACK IN THE WATER OVER HERE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- OKAY, WE'RE GONNA GET YOU-- WE'RE GONNA GET YOU-- YOU READY?

COME ON, BIG GIRL.

YOU READY?

- COME--COME ON, SWEETHEART.

- COME ON.

GO ON.

THERE YOU GO.

NICE OLD FISH.

- NICE.

- ALL RIGHT.

YEAH, BABY.

- THAT IS THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.

- 10 POUNDS.

- JOE, THAT WAS JUST A GOOD DAY OF FISHING.

FISH GOT ON EARLY, UP TO 11 POUNDS.

COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A LOT BETTER THAN THAT.

- REALLY.

ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF A WINTER LIKE WE HAVE.

AND WHAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS THE OVERALL SIZE AND THE HEALTH OF THE FISH.

LOT OF TIMES THIS TIME OF YEAR, THAT TIME OF YEAR, YOU EXPECT A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, THINNER FISH, BUT THESE FISH WERE ALL REAL HEALTHY FISH.

AND THAT RIVER IS CURRENTLY UNDER A NO-KEEP REGULATION, A MORATORIUM ON THAT STRIPER POPULATION.

YOU CAN CATCH AND RELEASE THEM, AND BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE CLOSED TO KEEPING THE FISH, BUT A GREAT FISHERY.

- CATCH AND RELEASE IS SO IMPORTANT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT WE USED.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- WELL, STU, HERE WE ARE ON THE CAPE FEAR RIVER.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, PROBABLY THE PRETTIEST DAY WE'VE HAD SINCE CHRISTMAS OR SO.

MARCH THE 1ST, THE FISH ARE BITING.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?

- WELL, WE WERE LUCKY TODAY.

WE GOT TO FISH SHALLOW.

WE GOT SOME WARMING TRENDS TO OUR TEMPERATURES.

WE GOT A LOW GETTING READY TO FORM OFF THE COAST.

IT'S GONNA GET REAL NASTY.

THIS IS THE DAY BEFORE IT'S GONNA HAPPEN, SO IT'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

SO WE GOT TO FISH SHALLOW, WHICH WAS GREAT.

THEY WERE SITTING UP THERE, WARMING UP IN THAT WARM WATER ON THAT FALLING TIDE COMING OUT OF THOSE CREEKS.

WHENEVER WE GET TO GO SHALLOW, I GOT TO USE MY D.O.A.

BAIT.

IT'S MY FAVORITE BAIT TO USE.

IT'S A 5-INCH TWITCHING SHAD.

AND I JUST RIGGED IT WITH A LITTLE QUARTER OUNCE WEIGHT, LITTLE PIECE OF 20-POUND FLUOROCARBON LEADER.

AND I WAS THROWING MINE TODAY ON JUST A 7-FOOT MEDIUM-LIGHT ACTION WITH A LITTLE BAITCASTER ON THERE, SO I CAN CONTROL MY DISTANCE.

BUT YOU WERE USING-- YOU WERE JUST USING A SPINNING ROD ON THIS THING TODAY.

- WELL, YEAH, I DON'T CAST ONE OF THOSE REAL WELL, SO I WAS USING SOMETHING THAT I COULD USE.

BUT AGAIN, THE SAME RIG AND USING SPINNING TACKLE, SO I COULD CONTROL IT A LITTLE EASIER.

I DID NOT HAVE A BACKLASH TODAY BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND I CAN CAST THIS A LITTLE FURTHER THAN I CAN CAST THAT.

MY THUMB'S NOT QUITE AS EDUCATED.

- WELL, IF IT WAS A LITTLE COLDER, I WOULDN'T BE THROWING THIS THING EITHER 'CAUSE I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT OUR SECRET WAS, REALLY, TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT-- IF THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THEM TO BITE SO WELL, BUT I KNOW THAT THEY DID BITE.

- YOU'RE GONNA TELL THEM ABOUT THE GOO?

- I'M GONNA HAVE TO.

THE MEGA STRIKE, THAT WAS WHAT I WAS PUTTING ON THERE.

AND THAT STUFF WAS WORKING.

I SWEAR.

IT SMELLS REALLY GOOD.

IT STAYS ON.

AND I REALLY DO LIKE IT.

IT WORKED REALLY WELL FOR US TODAY.

- WELL, I CAN'T SAY THAT IT WORKED, BUT I CAN SURE SAY THAT IT DIDN'T HURT BECAUSE THEY WERE COMING UP AND WHACKING IT PRETTY HARD FOR WATER AS COLD AS IT WAS.

- YEAH, THEY WERE.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE A... NICE TO HAVE A DAY HERE IN MARCH THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET OUT AND FISH AND CATCH A FISH OVER 10 POUNDS.

- ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE CAUGHT A COUPLE TODAY.

IN FACT, YOU CAUGHT A COUPLE.

I CAUGHT THE 8s AND 9s AND WHATEVER.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

- BUT YOU CAUGHT THE BIG FISH.

BUT, HEY, I'M NOT UPSET.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY ON THE WATER.

- YEAH, IT WAS.

- I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME OUT.

- MAN, WE'LL DO IT ANYTIME YOU WANT TO GO.

JERRY, YOU JUST LET ME KNOW.

- THANK YOU SO MUCH.

- NO WORRIES, MAN.

ANYTIME.

- THANKS, FELLAS, FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

NOW, IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS, CALL THE NUMBER THAT YOU SEE RIGHT THERE ON YOUR SCREEN OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

NOW LET'S GET INTO THE KITCHEN.

DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE FOR SALAD TODAY USING SHRIMP.

- HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING SPICY SHRIMP.

IT IS A GREAT DISH.

IT'S GOING TO BE LOTS OF FIRE, SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME COOL DRINKS TO HELP YOU WASH IT DOWN.

WE ARE GONNA START OUT WITH OUR SAUCE BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA WANT TO MIX OUR SAUCE TOGETHER, AND THEN WE'LL FRY OUR SHRIMP.

IT DOESN'T-- SHRIMP IS SO QUICK AND EASY, TAKES TWO TO THREE MINUTES.

SO WE'RE GOING TO USE A LITTLE BIT OF MAYONNAISE.

WE'RE GONNA USE SOME SPICY AND SWEET CHILI SAUCE, SOME SWEET CHILI SAUCE.

AND THEN SOME SPICIER HOT CHILI SAUCE.

WANT TO GIVE THAT-- AND YOU CAN-- YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT IT SPICIER THAN THIS, YOU CAN ADD MORE.

WE'RE ALSO GONNA USE SOME SPICY BREADER, SO IT'S--WE'RE GONNA HAVE HOT HEAT ALL AROUND.

SO WE'RE GONNA GIVE THAT A TOSS, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA SET THIS ASIDE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO PULL OUT OUR SPICY BREADER.

AND I LIKE TO USE MINE JUST ON A PIECE OF WAXED PAPER BECAUSE IT'S EASY CLEANUP FOR ME.

AND THEN WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL SHRIMP THAT WE'RE GOING TO COAT IN OUR BREADER.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THAT A COAT.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO PLACE THIS IN OUR PAN.

I HAVE MY CAST-IRON SKILLET HOT WITH MY OIL IN IT.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE THESE, AND I WOULD DO THEM IN MAYBE, LIKE, TEN AT A TIME.

YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERCROWD YOUR PAN 'CAUSE THEN YOUR HEAT WON'T STAY HOT ENOUGH.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE THAT IN.

YOU CAN SEE, WE'VE GOT THE SIZZLE GOING.

AND LIKE I SAID, IT'LL ONLY TAKE TWO TO THREE MINUTES TO COOK THESE.

ONCE THEY START TO TURN BROWN, GOLDEN BROWN ON ONE SIDE, JUST GIVE THEM A FLIP, AND YOU'RE READY TO GO.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THESE IN HERE.

LET THESE GO AHEAD AND START COOKING.

AND THEN I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE AFTER THEY COME OUT, 'CAUSE WE ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE THE END RESULT, WHAT WE'RE AIMING FOR, AT LEAST I DO WHEN I'M MAKING A RECIPE.

AND THERE WE GO.

SEE, YOU GOT THOSE, NICE, SIZZLING.

AND THEY'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO COOK.

AND THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY COME OUT.

THEY'RE NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN, AND I JUST KIND OF DRAIN MINE ON A PAPER TOWEL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TOSS THEM IN OUR SAUCE.

THIS WILL GIVE IT A NICE COATING.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO EITHER PUT THEM ON SOME LETTUCE LEAVES AND MAKE THEM INTO LETTUCE WRAPS, WHICH ARE GREAT, ESPECIALLY ON A NICE, HOT DAY.

YOU HAVE THIS NICE, HOT, SPICY SHRIMP ON THIS NICE, COOL PIECE OF LETTUCE.

IT'S A GREAT COMBINATION.

OR YOU CAN PUT THEM ON SOME LITTLE SLIDER BUNS, WHICH ARE FUN TOO, THAT THEY SELL IN THE STORES NOW.

AND SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THIS A TOSS IN OUR SAUCE.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM ON OUR LETTUCE, WHICH IS NICE AND COLD AND CRISP.

AND THIS IS JUST LIKE A BOSTON LETTUCE, SO IT'S A NICE CUP.

IT KIND OF FORMS A LITTLE CUP FOR YOU.

AND THEN WE CAN PUT A COUPLE SHRIMP HERE ON OUR LITTLE SLIDER BUNS.

AND I JUST USE SOME BROCCOLI SLAW WITH MINE 'CAUSE IT ADDS A LITTLE BIT OF CRUNCH TO IT.

SO YOU'RE GONNA GET A LITTLE BIT OF COOL NEXT TO THAT SPICY SHRIMP TOO, WHICH IS WHAT WE LIKE.

AND--OOPS.

AND THEN YOU'RE READY TO GO.

YOU JUST TOP IT.

AND YOU CAN TOSS IT WITH-- TOP IT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GREEN SCALLIONS, IF YOU'D LIKE.

AND IT JUST MAKES A GREAT-- IT'S A GREAT, NICE DINNER, OR YOU CAN SERVE IT FOR APPETIZERS IF YOU WANT AS WELL.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE SPICY SHRIMP, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU HERE NEXT TIME ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA, FOR THAT RECIPE.

JOE, WANT TO GO BACK DOWN TO THE RIVER?

A GOOD DAY, SOME NICE FISHING.

- YEAH, AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, AS WE SAID EARLIER, JUST COMING OUT OF THE WINTER WE CAME OUT OF, I EXPECTED TO CATCH SOME FISH 'CAUSE STU IS ON THE RIVER ALL THE TIME, AND HE KNOWS THAT RIVER AS GOOD AS ANYBODY AND LOVES TO STRIPER FISH THAT TIME OF YEAR.

AND SO WE EXPECTED TO CATCH SOME FISH, BUT I GUESS WHAT REALLY SURPRISED ME WAS THE OVERALL SIZE OF THESE FISH AND THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WE DID IT IN THE MORNING, YOU KNOW, OVER A MORNING PERIOD OF TIME, AND IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT YOU ALWAYS HOPE FOR, AND WE HIT THAT DAY.

- AND, JOE, YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THEY ARE PROTECTING THE STRIPERS IN THE RIVER NOW.

- RIGHT, THE OVERALL POPULATION ON THAT RIVER IS DOWN, AND SO THE WILDLIFE COMMISSION IS MANAGING IT, AS THEY HAVE IN OTHER RIVERS IN THE PAST, AND THE POPULATION CAME BACK, AND WE HAD EVEN MORE FISH.

I THINK THAT MORNING THAT WE CAUGHT THOSE FISH, WE JUST, AGAIN, HIT IT PERFECT, AND...

BUT STU STAYS ON THE RIVER.

HE KNOWS IT.

AND GIVE HIM A CALL IF YOU WANT TO GO FISHING.

- ANOTHER GREAT 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.

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