[PIANO INTRO] - LET'S SEE.

COME ON, PARTNER.

- MITCH, AS CHUCK WOULD SAY, YOU NEED TO GET USED TO THIS POSITION WITH CHUCK.

CHUCK IS HOOKED UP, AND THAT'S JUST WHERE HE LIKES TO BE.

- THAT IS THE TARGET SPECIES, BOYS.

-THAT IS HIM RIGHT THERE.

PRETTY WORK, CHUCK.

PRETTY WORK, CHUCK.

- HO!

CAPTAIN.

PRETTY WORK.

- GOOD JOB, MITCH.

- THAT OUGHT TO BE ABOUT A-- WHAT--MAYBE 4-POUNDER?

4, 4 1/2?

SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

- MAYBE WE'LL STAY IN THAT RANGE TODAY.

- LOOK AT THAT.

- I'M GONNA SEE.

- LOOK AT THAT FLY RIGHT IN HIS MOUTH, MAN.

- I'M GONNA SAY THAT IS JUST RIGHT.

- COME ON, BUDDY.

- THAT'S MY HANDIWORK RIGHT THERE.

I WILL SAY THAT.

I'LL TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT ONE RIGHT THERE.

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

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ - HELLO, WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM'S ALL ABOUT STRIPERS, BUT, JOE, IT'S KIND OF UNIQUE.

THERE'S JUST A UNIQUENESS ABOUT THIS SHOW.

- WELL, IT IS BECAUSE WE'RE FISHING IN FEBRUARY.

WE'RE TARGETING STRIPED BASS WHEN THE WATER TEMPERATURE WAS 39 DEGREES.

AND THAT'S WHAT-- FOR ANYBODY THAT FLY FISHES WILL ADMIT TO, THAT'S KIND OF-- THAT IS UNIQUE.

YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT TARGETING STRIPED BASS IN FEBRUARY AT THOSE KIND OF TEMPERATURES.

NOW, WE'RE COMING OUT OF A REAL COLD WINTER.

AGAIN, THE WATER TEMPERATURE STARTED THAT MORNING AT 39, GRADUATED UP TO ABOUT 42 BY MID-MORNING.

AIR TEMPERATURE STARTED COLD AND WARMED UP A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE WANTED TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THE FISH WERE HOLDING IN 20 FEET OF WATER, SO THEY HAD TO USE WEIGHTED LINES, HEAVIER FLIES.

BUT THE FISH THAT WERE THERE WERE HUNGRY, AND WE CAUGHT AND HAD A GOOD MORNING.

- WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT IN GEAR TIME TODAY.

AND THEN DONNA'S GOT A VERY SPECIAL RECIPE FOR US TODAY: FISH TACOS.

- RIGHT, SHE'S DONE A FISH TACO RECIPE BEFORE.

THIS IS SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE PAST.

AND AGAIN, IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT WAY OF PREPARING FISH, AND GET READY FOR IT.

- WELL, WE GOT A GOOD FISHING PROGRAM FOR YOU TODAY AND A GREAT RECIPE ALL RIGHT HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- WELL, TOMMY, WE'RE UP HERE ON THE-- ONE OF THE RIVERS OFF THE ALBEMARLE SOUND TRYING TO WAYLAY SOME OF THESE ROCKFISH BEFORE THEY GET TO WELDON.

WE'VE BEEN STUCK IN THE HOUSE, IN THE CABIN DOWN AT HARKERS ISLAND IN MOREHEAD CITY, SO IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET UP THIS WAY.

CAPTAIN MITCH SAYS HE'S GOT SOME FISH STACKED UP IN HERE, SO WE'RE GONNA GET THE FLY RODS OUT AND REALLY SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THEM TODAY.

- WELL, I KNOW, CHUCK, YOU MENTIONED CABIN FEVER AND SUCH, AND IT'S BEEN FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS FOR ME TO EVEN GO WET A LINE.

I KNOW YOU'VE PROBABLY BEEN OUT ONE OR MORE TIMES... - NOT MANY.

- THAN I HAVE.

BUT YEAH, IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

MITCH, WHAT KIND OF FISH ARE WE GONNA BE LOOKING FOR TODAY?

WHAT SIZE ARE WE-- WHAT SIZE ARE WE TARGETING?

WHAT ARE WE GONNA CATCH?

- TOM, WE GOT 39-DEGREE WATER TODAY.

IT'S A LITTLE CHILLY.

WE'RE COMING OFF SOME COLD SNOW RUN-IN, BUT WE'RE GONNA TRY TO TARGET SOME FISH THAT RANGE ANYWHERE FROM 1-POUND UP TO ABOUT 10-POUND CLASS.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING.

PROBABLY BEING SOME FOURS, FIVES.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET SOME GOOD PULLIN' ACTION ON THESE FLY RODS.

GIVE THE FOLKS A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND LET THEM KNOW THERE STILL IS HOPE IN ALL THIS COLD WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING.

- NOW, LOOK, CHUCK'S GONNA HOLD YOU TO THAT 10-POUND DEAL, OKAY?

I DON'T KNOW; YOU'VE NEVER FISHED WITH CHUCK.

I HAVE, BUT HE'S GONNA HOLD YOU TO THAT.

- THEY SAY CHUCK'S THE MAN ON THE FLY ROD.

- YOU'RE IN TROUBLE ALREADY, OKAY?

- LET'S GO CATCH A FISH, BOYS.

- ABSOLUTELY.

LET'S GET 'EM.

- GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

- CHUCK, WHAT YOU GOT THERE?

- LOOK OUT, BOYS.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

I'M NOT THE LEAST BIT SURPRISED THAT CHUCKY HAS HOOKED UP ALREADY.

- CAP, THIS FEELS LIKE A FAIRLY DECENT FISH.

- YEAH.

- LET'S SEE.

- GET HIM, CHUCK.

- FEELS LIKE A FAIRLY BIG FISH.

- WATCH THAT ANCHOR LINE OVER THERE.

- ANCHOR LINE'S OFF.

COME ON, FISH.

YOU GOT TO COME THE OTHER WAY.

COME ON AROUND FOR ME NOW.

- HOW'S THAT FEEL, CHUCK?

- IT FEELS A LOT BETTER THAN THE ONE I HAD ON THE CAST BEFORE THIS.

- OH, MY.

[laughter] - LET'S SEE.

COME ON, PARTNER.

- MITCH, AS CHUCK WOULD SAY, YOU NEED TO GET USED TO THIS POSITION WITH CHUCK.

CHUCK IS HOOKED UP.

AND THAT'S JUST WHERE HE LIKES TO BE.

- THAT IS THE TARGET SPECIES, BOYS.

- PRETTY WORK, CHUCK.

PRETTY WORK, CHUCK.

- HO!

CAPTAIN.

- GOOD JOB, MITCH.

- THAT OUGHT TO BE ABOUT A-- WHAT--MAYBE 4-POUNDER?

4, 4 1/2?

SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

- MAYBE WE'LL STAY IN THAT RANGE TODAY.

- LOOK AT THAT.

- I'M GONNA SEE.

- LOOK AT THAT FLY RIGHT IN HIS MOUTH, MAN.

- I'M GONNA SAY THAT IS JUST RIGHT.

- COME ON, BUDDY.

- THAT'S MY HANDIWORK RIGHT THERE.

I WILL SAY THAT.

I'LL TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT ONE RIGHT THERE.

- I THINK WE FOUND ONE MORE.

- IF WE WEREN'T ON TV OR ANYTHING, I'D SAY I CAUGHT THAT FISH.

YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES.

FISH STORIES, BUDDY.

- LET'S GET HIM BACK.

- ALL RIGHT.

- PRETTY WORK, CHUCK.

- YOU WANT TO JUST PUSH THAT HOOK RIGHT OUT?

- NICELY DONE.

- COME OUT, BARBLESS.

I'LL PUSH THAT BARB OUT.

I'VE GOT SOME PLIERS IN MY POCKET OR WHATEVER.

- ACTUALLY-- - I PROBABLY NEED TO DO THAT MYSELF.

- MAN, IT WENT RIGHT THROUGH HIS--THE BOTTOM OF HIS TONGUE.

- THERE WE GO.

- ALL RIGHT.

- CHUCK, HERE, I CAN--HERE.

- MAN, I HATE TO PUT THOSE PLIERS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT FLY LIKE THAT.

- ALL RIGHT, BOY.

FIRST ROCKFISH OF THE YEAR, MAN.

- GOOD FOR YOU.

- GO HOME.

GOSH, THAT'S SOME COLD WATER.

- I KNOW YOU'RE A HAPPY MAN'S ALL I CAN TELL YOU.

- I'M GONNA DO THAT AGAIN, BOYS.

- I'LL BET YOU ARE.

- TOMMY, WE'RE USING AN ABSOLUTELY SIMPLE LITTLE, YOU KNOW, SETUP WHERE WE'VE BASICALLY GOT ABOUT 3 TO 3 1/2 FOOT OF 15-POUND FLUOROCARBON JUST STRAIGHT-- YOU KNOW, STRAIGHT TO THE FLY AND USING CLOUSER MINNOWS WITH PROBABLY MEDIUM TO EXTRA-LARGE EYES IN TYPICAL ROCKFISH COLORS: HOT PINK, CHARTREUSE, AND WHITE, AND JUST BASICALLY STRIPPING, YOU KNOW, GETTING 'EM DOWN AS DEEP AS WE CAN TO THESE FISH.

- WELL, AND OF COURSE, WITH THESE HEAVY SINKING LINES, CHUCK, YOU KNOW, WE'D USE, AS YOU SAY, A 3-FOOT OR 4-FOOT LEADER AS OPPOSED TO A 9-FOOT OR 10-FOOT OR 12-FOOT LEADER.

IF WE WERE ALBACORE FISHING OR USING A FLOATING LINE OR AN INTERMEDIATE LINE, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT THAT FLY TO BE DOWN THERE WITH THE HEAD OF THE-- THE END OF YOUR FLY LINE.

AND 9 FEET AWAY ON A 9-FOOT LEADER IS JUST NOT GONNA DO THE TRICK, SO YOU GOT TO USE THOSE SHORT LEADERS WITH THESE HEAVY SINKING FLY LINES, THAT'S FOR SURE.

- WELL, I TELL YOU WHAT.

THEY CERTAINLY GET DOWN THERE IN YOUR FACE.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA HAVE ANY TROUBLE CATCHING SOME.

- NO, SIR.

NO, SIR.

ALL RIGHT, CHUCKY.

- HOOKED UP, TOMMY.

ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.

- I'M AT LEAST TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT HERE, SOMEHOW OR OTHER.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE GOT-- WELL, WAIT A MINUTE HERE.

- DON'T BE LIKE I DID.

I THOUGHT I HAD HIM UNDER CONTROL WHILE GIVING HIM TWO GOAL.

- YEAH.

I TELL YOU, IT FEELS GOOD TO GET TUGGED BACK, YOU KNOW?

AS YOU SAY, CHUCK, A LITTLE PULLAGE-- THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

- A LITTLE SILVER FLASH DOWN THERE.

- THERE HE IS.

THAT'S THE MAN RIGHT THERE.

- SILVER FLASH, BUD.

- LET ME BRING HIM RIGHT TO YOU.

THERE YOU GO.

- CHUCKY, YOU SAID YOU WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE TO CATCH ONE TODAY.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

JUST RIGHT.

JUST RIGHT.

THIS IS MY FIRST FISH OF 2010, MITCH.

FIRST BITE I HAVE GOTTEN THIS YEAR.

- I'M GLAD TO BE ABLE TO HAVE YOU GUYS ONBOARD AND PUT YOU ON THESE FISH, I'LL TELL YOU.

- LITTLE RATTLING CLOUSER MINNOW.

I DON'T KNOW THAT-- I DON'T KNOW THAT MINE'S BIGGER THAN CHUCK'S YET.

- CHUCK'S GOT YOU ON SIZE.

- THAT'S PERFECT.

THAT'S THE WAY I PLANNED IT.

- THAT IS EXACTLY.

HE'S TELLING YOU THE TRUTH, OKAY?

- SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM RIGHT NOW.

- ME TOO.

ME TOO.

YOU GO ON BACK.

- NOW, TOMMY, THERE'S A BUNCH OF FOLKS THAT ARE NOT CATCHING ROCKFISH IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

- LISTEN, I'M JUST-- - ESPECIALLY ON FLIES.

- ESPECIALLY ON THE FLY ROD.

PRETTY WORK, MY FRIEND.

- THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

- NICELY DONE.

- ALWAYS, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

ALL RIGHT, BOYS, I AM HOOKED UP AGAIN.

- CAPTAIN, YOU JUST PUT US ON THESE FISH, MAN.

THIS IS SOMETHING.

- CHUCK, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

- I'M GONNA HAVE TO TIGHTEN UP BACK AT THE BACK OF THE BOAT THEN.

- YOU ARE DEFINITELY GONNA HAVE TO TIGHTEN UP HERE.

UH-OH.

WRONG SPECIES.

BUT A NEW SPECIES FOR ME.

- TOMMY, THAT'S A GAR.

NOW, THAT'S NOT-- THAT AIN'T BAD, BUDDY.

WE'LL TAKE THAT.

- YEAH.

DON'T LIFT HIM.

I'M GONNA LET MITCH GET IN THERE AND TAKE CARE OF THAT.

MITCH, WHAT HAVE I CAUGHT?

- YOU GOT A GAR HERE, TOM.

- WELL, THAT IS A NEW SPECIES FOR ME, PERIOD, ON THE FLY OR OTHERWISE.

- ON THE FLY.

- LOOK AT THAT.

- BEAUTIFUL FISH, TOMMY.

- SPOT TAILS.

I'LL LET HIM HANDLE THIS FISH, OKAY?

I DON'T WANT TO GET IN THERE AND LICK THIS ONE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND LET MITCH TAKE THE FLY OUT AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.

BUT INTERESTING-LOOKING FISH.

- THESE THINGS GET BIG AROUND HERE, TOM.

THIS IS A SMALL SPECIMEN, BUT I'LL TELL YOU, WE CAN GROW SOME BRUTES.

A LOT OF TIMES, WE CATCH THESE ALONG WITH THE STRIPERS, SAME AREAS.

- WELL, CHUCK AND I ARE MEMBERS OF THE CAPE LOOKOUT FLY FISHERS CLUB DOWN IN MOREHEAD.

AND WE SCORE POINTS IN A YEAR-LONG CLUB TOURNAMENT FOR CATCHING DIFFERENT SPECIES OF FISH, SO I'M GONNA TURN THAT ONE IN AT LEAST TO THE TOURNAMENT AND SCORE SOME POINTS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THANKS, SIR.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TAKE THAT.

LET ME CHECK MY LEADER HERE.

SOME TEETH ON THAT THING?

- YES, SIR.

YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS CHECK YOUR TIE AFTER YOU TIE ON ONE OF THOSE.

- TOMMY, WHEN THAT WIND PICKS UP, IT FEELS LIKE WINTERTIME.

WHEN IT LAYS OUT, IT FEELS LIKE SPRING.

SO THIS IS LIKE BEING HERE ON TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DAYS.

HOLD ON, BOYS.

- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

- LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE, PARTNER.

- WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER.

- THAT TOOK THE WINDCHILL RIGHT OFF OF HIM.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

- I DON'T FEEL NEARLY AS COLD.

- CHUCK'S WARMED RIGHT UP.

- COME ON, PARTNER.

STAY--STAY ATTACHED.

ALL I WANT TO DO IS LOOK AT YOU.

- BE THE TARGET SPECIES.

- YOU DO YOUR PART; I WILL DO MINE.

I BELIEVE THAT'S GONNA BE A ROCKFISH.

- THAT'S HIM.

OH, YEAH, CHUCK.

- I HAVEN'T CAUGHT MANY OF THEM, BUT I KNOW THAT'S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE.

- YOU HAVEN'T CAUGHT MANY OF THEM?

WHEN, THIS MONTH?

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

- OH, BUDDY.

- LOOK AT HOW HE'S EATING THAT THING, CHUCK.

- HE HAS GOT THAT FLY, THAT LITTLE BARBLESS FLY-- - MITCH, LET ME HAVE THAT-- GET THAT OUT OF YOUR WAY THERE.

- HE'S GOT THAT BARBLESS FLY ON A PERFECT SPOT.

THERE'S NO WAY YOU COULD HAVE LOST THAT FISH, BARBLESS OR ANYTHING.

IT'S INSIDE HIS MOUTH.

- HE'S INHALED IT.

- WHEN THAT LITTLE GUY HIT THAT THING, IT FELT LIKE JUST A--DUNK!

I FISHED WITH LEFTY KREH ONE TIME, AND HE SAID IT FELT LIKE SOMEBODY DROPPED A BALL PEEN HAMMER ON YOUR FLY.

AND I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED BALL PEEN HAMMERS EVER SINCE THAT DAY.

WELL, DO YOU WHAT?

- WELL, YOU GOT HIM TOO.

- REACH DOWN THERE, CAPTAIN, AND GET THAT FLY.

JUST PUSH IT RIGHT OUT WITH THAT.

'CAUSE IT'S BARBLESS, IT OUGHT TO COME RIGHT OUT OF HIM.

- HE REALLY--HE REALLY DID EAT THAT THING.

- YEAH, HE-- - I MEAN, IT'S-- - YOU GOT MY THUMB IN THE WAY IS WHAT'S HOLDING IT BACK.

THERE WE GO.

- GOT YOU.

- PRETTY WORK, CHUCK.

- CHARTREUSE AND WHITE RATTLE FLY.

TELL YOU WHAT.

HE'S GOT TEN POUNDS OF WILLING IF HE AIN'T GOT TEN POUNDS OF WEIGHT ON HIM.

- THAT FISH LOOKS GOOD, FEBRUARY, ANY TIME, ANY TIME.

- WE'D BE SITTING AT THE COAST WATCHING THE WEATHER REPORT, THE WEATHER CHANNEL.

- HE LOOKS GOOD.

HE LOOKS GOOD.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOD, THAT WATER'S COLD.

- IT'S TIME-- IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER ONE.

- GOOD JOB, FELLAS.

- ALL RIGHT.

THERE YOU GO, MITCH.

- THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE FLIES, TOM.

I'LL GET YOU A COOKIE.

- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHUCK.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU'RE ON.

CHUCK, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

- I'M GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE, TOMMY.

GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE, TO THE DARK SIDE, HERE.

- WELL, COME ON.

COME ON UP HERE WHERE THE FISHING'S REALLY GOOD.

- I THINK THAT'S THE TARGET, CAPTAIN.

GRAB THAT MITT FOR ME, PARTNER.

- I GOT IT RIGHT HERE.

I'M COMING AROUND FRONT.

- LORD, HAVE MERCY.

HE'S NOT THAT 10-POUNDER, BUT HE'S CERTAINLY-- - OH, THAT'S A WORM, CHUCK.

GOSH KNOWS YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

- THAT'S THE TARGET SPECIES, BOY; THAT IS A ROCKFISH.

- LOOK AT THAT, BOYS.

I NEED TO GET MY DENTIST TO HOLD THAT.

MY DENTIST IS ABOUT 5'4" AND 135 POUNDS.

HE'D MAKE THAT FISH LOOK REALLY BIG.

FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE HIM LOOK BIG.

WELL, I CAN SAY I AM TICKLED TO DEATH WITH HIM 'CAUSE THIS IS STILL A PLUS.

ANY TIME YOU CAN CATCH ROCKFISH IN FEBRUARY ON A FLY ROD, YOU'VE DONE A DAY'S WORK, PARTNER.

- THAT'S A 1-POUND CLASS.

- YEAH.

- WE'VE HIT IT IN THE MIDDLE, SO NOW WE'RE GONNA-- THERE'S NOTHING TO DO BUT GO HARD.

- THERE YOU GO.

- COME ON, CHUCK.

YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

- WE GOT THAT LITTLE FLY OUT.

LIKE I SAY, HE'S GONNA GROW UP.

HE'LL BE AT WELDON.

HE'LL BE UP THERE.

HE'LL BE UP THERE.

GET ME SOME MORE.

- PRETTY WORK.

- GO BACK AND TELL YOUR MOTHER I MISS HER, NOW.

- THAT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THAT ONE, EITHER, MITCH.

- GUYS, NEXT TIME--YOU KNOW, NEXT TIME I GET ONE HOOKED UP, TOMMY, I'LL HAND YOU THIS.

I MEAN, IT'LL BE REAL SIMPLE.

- I MEAN, I KNOW THAT I AM-- - THAT WAS THE CHUCK SEAMLESS PROGRAM.

- OH, MY GOSH.

MM, MM, MM, MM, MM.

I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS ALL THE TIME OR NOT.

JUST REMEMBER WHEN I'M POLING YOU AROUND IN THE MARSH ONE DAY, AND-- - IT'S GOT TO GET A LOT WARMER BEFORE I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THIS.

- I'LL JUST--I'LL JUST LEAN OVER ON THE POLING PLATFORM AND THROW YOU OUT OF THE BOAT.

THAT'S PAYBACKS, OKAY?

- IT WON'T BE THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE THROWN ME OUT OF THE BOAT.

- IT WON'T.

AND IT MIGHT NOT BE THE LAST TIME EITHER, YOU KEEP THIS UP.

YOU WERE SORT OF CASTING TO THAT LITTLE STUMP OVER THERE.

YOU SAID YOU LET IT SINK DOWN ABOUT A 10- OR 12-COUNT.

WHAT KIND OF STRIPPING ACTION WERE YOU GIVING IT THERE?

- TOMMY, ONCE I GOT SOME DEPTH ON IT, I WAS-- JUST, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE LITTLE QUICK POPS AND THEN DROPPED A COUPLE, YOU KNOW, QUICK POPS AND DROP.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, THESE ROCKFISH HEAR LIKE THIS ONE.

- GOOD MAN.

GOOD MAN.

- OH, MY.

COME ON, FISH.

- WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BITE NOW?

- HE WAS IN FRONT OF THAT STUMP.

WATCH WHERE THE BOAT WAKES.

- ALL RIGHT.

I GOT YOU.

OH, MY!

COME ON, PARTNER.

COME ON.

COME ON, PARTNER.

- THERE WE GO.

- I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR RIGHT THERE.

- YES, SIRREE.

- THERE YOU GO, CAPPY.

- NICELY DONE.

NICELY DONE.

- [cackling] - LISTEN TO YOU LAUGHING.

- FEBRUARY.

FEBRUARY.

LOOK AT THAT FLY, TOMMY.

- YOU GOT HIM JUST RIGHT.

NOW, HE DIDN'T EAT IT LIKE THE OTHER ONES DID.

- HE DIDN'T EAT IT, BUT I TELL YOU.

- BUT HE'S HOOKED.

- THAT'S THE SECOND LITTLE TAP I'VE HAD ON THIS.

THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER ONE OR TWO IN THERE.

- I'LL JUST SWITCH BACK TO THE SAME FLY AGAIN.

MUST BE SOMETHING TO IT.

- I GOT NO COMPLAINTS FOR A DAY IN FEBRUARY CATCHING ROCK FISH.

- PRETTY WORK.

- GOOD JOB.

- THANK YOU, CAPTAIN.

NICELY DONE.

- GOOD CALL THERE.

YES, SIR.

- ALL RIGHT, TOMMY, THAT FISH WAS TO THE LEFT OF THE STUMP RIGHT DOWN IN FRONT OF IT.

- ALL RIGHT.

- JOE, SIMPLY PUT, IT WAS COLD THAT DAY.

- IT WAS.

AND YOU KNOW, THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS COLD.

WE HAD TO DRESS FOR IT, ESPECIALLY RUNNING IN THE BOATS.

AND AGAIN, THE WATER TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS AT A POINT WHERE YOU JUST REALLY DON'T KNOW IF THE FISH ARE GONNA BE ACTIVE OR NOT, AND THEN USING FLIES.

BUT WE'RE FISHING WITH, YOU KNOW, TWO GUYS THAT KNOW HOW TO USE A FLY ROD AND SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE COAST.

THEY BOTH ARE FROM THE CRYSTAL COAST OR CARTER COUNTY AND SPEND A LOT OF TIME FISHING FOR SALTWATER SPECIES, AND SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH IT AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO GET DOWN TO THE FISH.

ONCE WE DETERMINED WHERE THE FISH WERE, AT ABOUT 20 FEET, JUST A MATTER OF FINDING FISH THAT WANTED TO STRIKE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT MADE THE DAY.

- WELL, IT WAS COLD, BUT WE HAD THE RIG RIGHT, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- WELL, TOMMY, WE'VE HAD AN AMAZING MORNING DOWN HERE.

WE LEFT HARKERS ISLAND AND GOT UP HERE.

IT WAS, YOU KNOW, ALMOST AT THE FREEZING MARK.

THE WATER TEMPERATURES WERE 39, AND IT GOT UP TO ABOUT 42 AROUND LUNCHTIME.

BUT WE'VE HAD A BLAST AND FOR ME, AN AMAZING DAY IN FEBRUARY CATCHING ROCKFISH.

I DON'T GET TO CATCH ROCKFISH IN THE FRESHWATER LIKE THIS AS MUCH.

BUT WE CAME DOWN WITH A COUPLE OF FLY RODS, SOME SINKING LINES, AND GOT WITH CAPTAIN MITCH BLAKE DOWN THIS WAY, AND MITCH PUT US ON SOME FISH, AND YOUR FLIES SEALED THE DEAL FOR US.

- YEAH, WELL, CHUCK, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT DAY, NUMBER ONE.

AND IT WAS NICE TO DO IT IN FEBRUARY.

LIKE YOU SAID, WE DID LEAVE HARKERS ISLAND-- WE LEFT THE OCEAN THIS MORNING, CAME INLAND, SO THAT WAS A NICE CHANGE OF PACE FOR US.

AND YOU KNOW, FLY LINES, FLY RODS, TODAY, OF COURSE, WE'RE USING HEAVY SINKING LINES.

I THINK YOU'VE GOT A 400-GRAIN SINKING LINE.

I'VE GOT A 450-GRAIN SINKING LINE.

AND THEY PROBABLY SINK SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, INCHES PER SECOND.

SO WE'RE MAKING A CAST AND COUNTING DOWN 25, 35, 45 SOMETIMES AND THEN CHANGING OUR RETRIEVE, YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO WHAT THE FISH ARE BITING AT THE MOMENT.

AND USING FLIES, YOU KNOW, THAT WE WOULD USE ON THE ROANOKE RIVER PERHAPS IN THE SPRINGTIME, BIG, HEAVY WEIGHTED FLIES.

I THINK SOME OF THE ONES WE HAD EARLIER TODAY HAD RATTLES IN THEM.

YOU KNOW, MITCH HAD SENT US SOME PICTURES OF SOME OF THE SWIM BAITS THAT HE WAS USING, AND THEY MIRROR EXACTLY WHAT A CLOUSER MINNOW LOOKS LIKE.

AND HE DID SAY MAKE A RATTLE, SO I SAT DOWN AT MY FLY DESK AND GLUED A COUPLE RATTLES ON AND JUST TIED A CLOUSER MINNOW SORT OF AROUND THE RATTLE.

SO THAT WORKED GREAT.

- I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT THAT THE FLIES AND THE TECHNIQUES THAT WE BROUGHT ARE ABSOLUTELY USELESS WITHOUT THE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE THAT WE GOT FROM MITCH.

AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST LIKE BABES IN THE WOODS DOWN HERE WITHOUT CAPTAIN MITCH.

- AND MAYBE WE TAUGHT HIM SOMETHING TOO, YOU KNOW, ABOUT FLY FISHING A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.

- DEFINITELY.

- BUT CERTAINLY, MITCH HAS SHOWN US A GREAT TIME.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE WE ARE, HOW WE GOT HERE; I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GONNA GET HOME.

BUT MITCH HAS DONE A GREAT JOB AND PUT US ON THE FISH.

AND, MITCH, WE APPRECIATE IT.

IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN TODAY.

- I APPRECIATE IT.

- WHEN WE CAN'T MAKE IT ON THE COAST IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, I DON'T THINK WE'LL HAVE ANY TROUBLE GETTING UP THIS WAY.

BUT IT'S BEEN GREAT TO FISH WITH YOU AGAIN.

- AS USUAL, CHUCK, SURE HAS.

- AND, CAPTAIN, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH FUN WE'VE HAD ON A FEBRUARY MORNING.

- APPRECIATE IT.

- WE'VE ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

- HOPEFULLY Y'ALL BEATS KICK BACK, YOU KNOW, WATCHING IT ON TV LIKE MOST PEOPLE ARE THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT ANYWAYS, TO GET OUT HERE IN THE FIELD AND ACTUALLY GIVE IT A GO, SEE WHAT IT'S MADE OF.

SO I APPRECIATE THE TIPS, APPRECIATE EVERYTHING, AND HOPE Y'ALL ENJOYED TODAY.

- WE HAVE.

- WE HAD A BLAST.

- THANK YOU.

- YOU'RE WELCOME.

- THANKS, FELLAS, FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

WE HOPE YOU FIND IT USEFUL.

NOW, IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO ON ONE OF THE GUIDED TRIPS, CALL THE NUMBER THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN THERE, AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD DAY.

NOW, DONNA'S IN THE KITCHEN.

AND SHE'S ALWAYS GOT A SPECIAL RECIPE, BUT TODAY SHE HAS A RECIPE FOR FISH TACOS.

GET PEN AND PAPER.

I THINK YOU'RE GONNA LIKE THIS ONE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING FISH TACOS.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE OURS TODAY WITH FLOUNDER, BUT YOU CAN USE ANY TYPE OF MILD FISH THAT YOU LIKE OR YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE.

YOU CAN ALSO, INSTEAD OF USING FISH, IF YOU HAVE SCALLOPS OR IF YOU HAVE SOME SHRIMP, YOU CAN USE THAT AS WELL AND MAKE SHRIMP TACOS, WHICH ARE GREAT AS WELL.

WE'RE GONNA START OUT WITH OUR FLOUNDER, AND I'VE JUST KIND OF CUT MINE INTO NOT BITE-SIZE PIECES BUT INTO NICE-- WE'RE GONNA PUT TWO FILLETS IN EACH TACO.

SO YOU'RE GONNA GET A LOT OF MEAT IN THERE, BUT WE DIDN'T MAKE IT TOO SMALL.

SO WE'RE GONNA-- WE'VE GOT OUR FLOUNDER, AND IT'S ALL READY TO GO.

THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR BREADER, AND I'M GONNA BAKE MINE IN THE OVEN, SO WE'RE GONNA PUT OUR CHICKEN- FLAVORED BREADER IN OUR BAG.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR FLOUNDER, AND WE'RE GONNA PUT IT IN AND GIVE IT A SHAKE.

YOU CAN ALSO, IF YOU LIKE, YOU CAN SQUEEZE A LITTLE BIT OF LIME JUICE ON TOP OF THIS, WHICH WOULD BE REALLY GOOD TOO TO GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT EXTRA FLAVOR.

AND...

THESE BOXES JUST WANT TO FALL OVER FOR ME.

SO HERE WE GO.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT A TOSS AND COAT IT REALLY WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT OUT ON OUR BAKING SHEET THAT I'VE LINED WITH FOIL SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN UP AND BAKE THIS AT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES.

SO WHILE IT'S IN THE OVEN, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND GET OUR TOPPINGS FOR OUR TACOS.

AND WHAT I LIKE TO DO WHEN I'M HAVING THIS FOR A PARTY, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT TO DO THIS AS A PARTY BECAUSE YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND JUST HAVE EVERYTHING READY, TOSS YOUR FISH IN YOUR BREADER, PUT IT ON THE PAN, GO AHEAD AND BAKE IT, AND THEN YOU'RE READY TO GO ONCE IT COMES OUT.

SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS, I WOULD GO AHEAD AND, WHILE THIS IS BAKING, IF I WAS DOING THIS FOR MY FAMILY, I WOULD GO AHEAD AND GET MY TOPPINGS READY.

SO WE'RE GONNA DO SOME DIFFERENT TOPPINGS INSTEAD OF YOUR TRADITIONAL LETTUCE AND TOMATO AND SOUR CREAM AND SALSA AND THAT TYPE OF THING, WHICH ARE GREAT AS WELL.

BUT WE'RE GONNA USE SOME FRESH CILANTRO, AND YOU'RE GONNA PEEL THIS OFF OR GIVE IT A NICE FINE CHOP, PUT IT IN A BOWL SO THAT PEOPLE CAN COME BY AND KIND OF TOP THEIR TACOS THE WAY THEY WANT IT.

WE'RE GONNA USE SOME GREAT FRESH TOMATOES.

I JUST KIND OF CUT THOSE INTO LITTLE HALF MOONS, WHICH ARE GREAT.

THEY'RE LITTLE BITE-SIZE.

AND THEN WE LOVE AVOCADO AT OUR HOUSE, SO I HAVE SOME AVOCADO HERE, AND YOU'RE GONNA JUICE IT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LIME JUICE AND MAYBE SPRINKLE SOME KOSHER SALT ON TOP OF IT, AND IT'S REALLY GREAT.

YOU CAN EAT THAT ALL BY ITSELF.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA USE SOME SMALL TORTILLAS.

YOU CAN USE CORN, OR YOU CAN USE FLOUR.

AND THEN A LOT OF TIMES, YOU CAN JUST POP THESE IN THE MICROWAVE IF YOU WANT.

BUT WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS, I LIKE TO TAKE MY CAST-IRON SKILLET AND MAYBE SPRAY IT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF NONSTICK SPRAY OR DRIZZLE IT WITH A LITTLE OLIVE OIL AND THEN JUST KIND OF PLACE MY TORTILLA IN THE PAN AND JUST KIND OF WARM IT ON EITHER SIDE.

IT JUST KIND OF CRISPS IT UP A LITTLE BIT AND MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT YUMMY.

SO TO DO THIS-- SO I JUST PUT IT ALL OUT LIKE A SALAD BAR.

SO JUST MAKE A TACO BAR.

AND THEN HAVE YOUR FISH, AND PEOPLE CAN COME ALONG AND JUST FILL THEIR TACO AND DRESS IT THE WAY THEY WANT TO.

YOU CAN ALSO HAVE SOME SOUR CREAM, 'CAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO HOLD EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND MAYBE SOME FUN, UNUSUAL CHEESES AS WELL.

SO THIS IS WHAT MINE LOOK LIKE.

THE WAY I'VE DONE THEM IS, I HAVE MY FISH, WHICH IS NICE AND CRISPY AND CRUNCHY, AND THEN I JUST TOPPED IT WITH SOME CILANTRO LEAVES, SOME TOMATO, AND SOME AVOCADO.

AND IT'S JUST A GREAT, NICE, REFRESHING MEAL THAT'S QUICK AND EASY, AND IT'S ALSO A GREAT ITEM TO SERVE AT A PARTY.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE FISH TACOS.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA, FOR THAT RECIPE.

I THINK THE KIDS WOULD LIKE THAT ONE.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK, TALK ABOUT OUR FISHING TRIP.

IT WAS A BIG DAY, BUT IT WAS A COLD DAY.

- WELL, IT WAS A COLD DAY, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MADE IT A SPECIAL DAY.

IT WAS TO SHOW THAT YOU COULD TAKE A FLY ROD AND CLOUSER MINNOW AND GO FOR STRIPED BASS, YOU KNOW, WITH A 39-DEGREE WATER TEMPERATURE.

BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND HOW TO FISH IN DEEP WATER.

THAT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN MOST OF YOUR FLY FISHING SITUATIONS THAT YOU COME UP AGAINST.

BUT THE FISH WERE THERE.

AGAIN, WE DIDN'T HAVE A BIG WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

WE FISHED FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS, AND THE FISH BIT DURING THAT TIME.

THE GUYS WERE ABLE TO CATCH A FEW AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.

BUT THESE FISH ARE SOME OF THE SAME FISH THAT WILL EVENTUALLY RUN UP THE CASHIE AND UP THE ROANOKE RIVER AND SPAWN.

AND I THINK THAT DEEPER WATER JUST HOLDS THESE FISH THAT TIME OF YEAR.

AND IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED IT, GO GIVE IT A TRY.

YOU'LL HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

- NEXT TIME I GO, I THINK I'M GONNA PICK A WARMER DAY.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

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

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪