[gentle orchestral fanfare] YOU GOT ONE COMIN'?

YEAH, I FEEL LIKE A LITTLE FISH, A LITTLE BUCK OR SOMETHING.

COMING TO ME ANYWAY.

GOOD DEAL.

IT'S GOOD.

I HEAR YOU.

LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT MY LINE.

WELL, THAT'S COOL.

THEY'RE A FIGHTIN' LITTLE FISH, HUH?

LOOK AT THAT, BOY.

OLD MAN'S SWAMPIN'.

LOOK AT THAT.

OH, HE HIT THE CHARTREUSE, DIDN'T HE?

MM-HMM.

GOT YOUR LINE ON MINE, BUDDY.

- [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.

TODAY'S PROGRAM'S GONNA TAKE US DOWN TO THE NEUSE RIVER.

WE'RE GONNA BE FISHING FOR HICKORY SHAD.

AND JOE, IT WAS AN INTERESTING DAY TO SAY THE LEAST.

WELL, WE HAD A LOT OF FUN.

THIS WAS THE-- WE ALWAYS LIKE THE SHAD 'CAUSE HE BRINGS IN THE FISHING SEASON IN THE SPRING.

AND TODAY WE'RE ACTUALLY FISHING OFF THE NEUSE RIVER IN A STREAM THAT MEANDERS BACK INTO A-- UH, NOT REALLY A SWAMP, BUT IT JUST SPREADS OUT AMONGST THE CYPRESS TREES.

A REALLY NICE SETTING.

IT'S A SHOW THAT I'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THE SHOWS WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN ON THE RIVERS.

UM, LAST YEAR WE WENT TO CAPE FEAR FOR WHITE SHAD.

UH, THE YEAR BEFORE, UH, ON THE TAR RIVER.

UM, BUT THIS IS BACK OFF-- OFF THE NEUSE OFF OF HICKORY SHAD.

JUST HAD A LOT OF FUN.

YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT CATCHING THE HICKORY SHAD.

ALWAYS USE SOME LIGHT TACKLE ON THAT.

WHAT ARE WE GONNA USE TODAY?

YEAH, LIGHT--LIGHT AS YOU CAN GO, SIX-POUND TEST.

UH, SOME PEOPLE GO TO FOUR, SIX IS GOOD BECAUSE YOU-- IN THIS AREA YOU GOTTA HANG UP QUITE A BIT, SO, UM, A LITTLE HEAVIER MIGHT AGE YOU THERE.

BUT USING, UM, UH, LITTLE TWISTER TAILS EIGHTH-OUNCE TWISTER TAILS-- WE HAD SPOONS.

WE HAD DARTS.

BUT WE WENT WITH THE TWISTER TAIL.

AND THEY'LL TALK ABOUT IT IN GEAR TIME.

(John) AND DONNA'S GONNA KICK UP SOME HUSH PUPPIES TODAY.

(Joe) THIS IS A REAL UNIQUE RECIPE FROM HER.

THIS IS A HUSH PUPPY MIX WITH SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP MIXED IN.

AND, UH, REAL TASTY FROM HER.

WE GOT A BIG SHOW PLANNED TODAY.

STICK AROUND.

THERE'S A LOT COMING YOUR WAY TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

(Kurt) GENE, SHAD FISHING SURE STARTS THE SEASON, FOR US, DON'T IT?

YES, SIR, BUDDY.

SURE DOES.

LITTLE FROST ON THE PUMPKIN THIS MORNING FOR THIS STUFF, DOGGONE IT.

FIRST OF MARCH, GO ABOUT TO THE END OF THAT.

PITCHKETTLE CREEK.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CATCHING A FEW HICKORY SHAD.

OH, YES, SIR, BUDDY.

SEEM TO BE DOING PRETTY GOOD OUT HERE.

OF COURSE IT'S A LITTLE SLOW RIGHT THIS MINUTE, BUT...

I THINK WHEN THE SUN GETS UP A LITTLE BIT AND WARMS UP... YEAH.

WE'LL CATCH SOME FISH.

THE WATER DOESN'T LOOK REAL CLEAR, BUT-- IT STARTED OUT PRETTY GOOD, DIDN'T IT?

GOT MAYBE 10, 12 INCHES VISIBILITY IS THAT MUCH.

WELL, A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT.

IT LOOKS MURKY, BUT THERE'S STILL A GOOD VISIBILITY THERE.

YEAH.

I'VE BEEN HEARING SOME GOOD REPORTS HERE.

I THINK WE'RE GONNA CATCH SOME FISH.

YEAH.

WELL, WE GOT TIME.

WE GOT TIME.

LET'S HOPE WE DO ANYWAYS.

WE GOT PLENTY OF BAIT.

OH, YEAH.

NO DOUBT.

(Kurt) I GOT ONE.

MY FIRST SHAD OF THE SEASON.

(Gene) NOT YET YOU HAVEN'T.

[laughter] OH, YEAH.

LOOKIE THERE.

OH, MAN.

PULL IT ON THERE, GO AHEAD.

IT LOOKS LIKE A ROGUE, WHAT LITTLE I SAW.

YEAH.

LOOK AT THAT.

THERE YOU GO.

LOOKIE HERE.

OH, YEAH, BUDDY.

LET ME SEE.

YOU DID IT?

GOOD DEAL.

GOOD DEAL.

IS THAT RIGHT?

(Kurt) YEAH.

YEAH, LOOK AT HER.

OH, SHE'S PRETTY, AIN'T SHE?

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.

WELL, LET'S GET HER BACK IN THE WATER THERE.

(Kurt) YES, SHE WAS A FAT, HEALTHY FISH.

YEAH, BOY.

GET CLOSE TO IT-- RIGHT OUT HERE?

I WAS REAL SLOW.

REAL, REAL SLOW.

SO IT MIGHT BE THE TICKET THIS MORNING.

I'VE BEEN KINDA KEEPING IT UP IN THE WATER CALM A LITTLE BIT, AND I THINK I GOT IT DOWN ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE FEET.

YES, SHE DID.

SHE HIT RIGHT THERE.

RIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE BOAT.

CAUGHT ONE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO RE-TIE.

LET'S GET UP OVER HERE.

THEY'RE STAYIN' DEEP TOO.

HE'S LIKELY TO JUMP A LITTLE BIT.

YEAH, THERE YOU GO.

THERE YOU GO.

GET THAT THING THERE.

GET HERE, BUDDY.

YEAH, WITH THIS LIGHT TACKLE.

I THINK IT'S WAS, LIKE, FOUR-POUND TEST.

CAN'T DO A WHOLE LOT OF LIFTIN' IN.

HE'S SURE STAYING DOWN THERE, ISN'T HE?

I'LL JUST--I'LL TIE HIM OUT AND RUN HIM OVER THERE.

GET UP ON TOP.

THERE YOU GO.

UH, MY GOODNESS.

FRESH SHAD.

FRESH SHAD.

THAT'S SOME FRESH SHAD.

OH, WE GET THAT SPOON.

MM-HMM.

THE WHOLE SPOON.

THEY'RE PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

GOOD FIGHTERS TOO.

YEAH, SIR, BUDDY.

THAT THEY ARE.

PROBLEM IS THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH HUMMERS BORN.

[dialogue indistinct] LIKE EVERYBODY'S CATCHIN' 'EM RIGHT AROUND US.

YOU KNOW, I USED TO COME HERE.

WE USED TO TIE UP HERE WITH MY DADDY 40 YEARS AGO RIGHT HERE IN THIS SAME SPOT LITTLE JON BOAT.

REALLY?

MM-HMM.

MAN.

ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT HADN'T CHANGED MUCH IN 40 YEARS.

I UNDERSTAND.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I TELL YOU WHAT, WE'RE SHAD FISHERMAN.

SOMETHING I'VE BEEN DOING FOR, I DON'T KNOW.

FIVE, SIX YEARS MAYBE.

I TELL YOU WHAT, I CAN'T WAIT TILL THE FIRST OF THE SEASON STARTS.

IT'S FUN.

OH, YEAH.

IT GETS YOU-- IT GETS YOU GOIN'.

CARRY SOME HOME AND EATIN' 'EM YET?

YOU KNOW, I TELL YOU WHAT I HEARD ABOUT EATIN' SHAD.

YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT, DON'T YOU, WITH THE CHERRYWOOD?

YEAH.

THAT'S, UH, THE ONLY WAY I EVER HEARD ABOUT EATIN' EM.

[laughs] MY BROTHER-IN-LAW TOOK ONE OF 'EM LAST YEAR AND ATE IT, AND HE CALLED ME AND SAID, "MAN, THAT THING WAS LIKE BITIN' INTO A HAIRBRUSH."

[laughter] YOU GET ONE, COLE ?

YEAH, I HUNG UP-- I FEEL LIKE A LITTLE FISH, A LITTLE BUCK OR SOMETHING.

THEY'RE COMING TO ME ANYWAY.

(Gene) GOOD DEAL.

WELL, THAT'S GOOD.

I HEAR YA.

LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT MY LINE.

OH, YEAH.

THAT'S COOL.

THEY ARE FIGHTIN' LITTLE FISH, AREN'T THEY?

YOU KNOW THAT, BOY.

OLD MAN SWAMPIN'.

LOOK AT THAT.

OH, HE HIT THE CHARTREUSE, DIDN'T HE?

MM-HMM.

GOT YOUR LINE ON MINE, BUDDY.

KURT, WE MOVED OVER HERE TO THIS SIDE OF THE CREEK FOR A LITTLE MORE SUN.

I THINK THE WATER'S MORE SHALLOW.

YOU RECKON A LITTLE MORE WILL HELP HERE?

OH, YEAH.

THE GUY THAT LEFT HERE WAS CATCHING THEM PRETTY GOOD.

HE WAS DOIN' GOOD.

SO YEAH, I THINK IT OUGHTA HELP.

DID YOU NOTICE HOW HE WAS HOLDIN' HIS MOUTH?

HE MIGHT JUST BE BETTER THAN I THINK.

[laughs] WELL, WE'VE BEEN HERE RIGHT TO THREE MINUTES AND MADE SEVERAL CASTS.

AND I HADN'T HAD A BUMP YET, HAVE YOU?

NO, I HADN'T.

BUT I THINK WE'LL CATCH SOME FISH.

YOU KNOW, THESE FISH KINDA RUN CHANNELS.

THEY GOT THEIR COURSE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FISH.

THEY'RE NOT JUST SWIMMIN' EVERY WHICH WAY.

THEY PROBABLY RUNNIN' RIGHT DOWN THESE EDGE WHERE IT-- WHERE THE BREAK IN THE 12-FOOT CHANNEL IS.

IT GETS A LITTLE SHALLOW UP THERE TO THE SWAMP.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, UH, WE SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE CATCH MORE SPOONS THIS MORNING, AND WE'VE CAUGHT A COUPLE OF SPOONS OURSELVES.

REGRETFULLY I'VE LOST MINE, BOTH OF MINE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU STILL GOT ONE OVER THERE.

I'M NOT FISHIN' WITH ONE UP HERE.

I LIKE FISHIN' WITH SINGLE BAIT FOR SHAD MOSTLY, SO I'M HARD-HEADED.

IF THEY COME IN HERE, AND THEY BITIN', WE'LL CATCH 'EM.

YEAH.

WE'VE CAUGHT SEVERAL ON THESE.

I'MA CAST BACK IN THERE AND SEE IF I CAN CATCH ME ONE OF THOSE.

NO NEED IN STOPPIN' FISHIN', IS THERE?

NO.

I RECKON--DO YOU NEED SOME NET ASSISTANCE?

NAH, I CAN DEAL WITH IT.

YOU SURE?

YEAH.

SEE IF I CAN GET BACK OVER IN THERE AND TRY TO DO SOMETHING.

WHAT COLOR DID YOU CATCH HIM ON THIS TIME?

HE'S JUST A CHARTREUSE HEAD WITH A LIGHT TWISTER TAIL.

AND THIS ONE'S FOR MYSELF.

WELL, IT SUCKED THAT ONE IN, GENE.

DID HE?

HE WAS HUNGRY.

THAT MUST BE THE RIGHT BAIT.

I THINK THAT FELLA WAS DOWN THIS WAY A WHILE AGO ALL I CAN DO IS CATCH HIM THE POLITE WAY.

MM-HMM.

OH, MAN, LOOK AT ME.

I DONE GOT SO EXCITED I'M THROWIN' IT EVERYWHERE.

HE'S A PRETTY FISH.

THEY ARE STREAMLINED, MADE FOR SPEED, AREN'T THEY?

OH, YEAH.

OH, YEAH.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ LOOK AT HIM.

YEAH.

HE'S PULLING THAT DRAG WITH HIM.

YEAH.

COME TO DADDY.

YOU CAUGHT HIM ON THAT FRONT BAIT.

YEAH, HE DID.

HE HIT RIGHT ON THAT JIG, DIDN'T HE?

SURE DID.

LOOK AT HIM.

AND IT'S GREEN.

I'LL GET IT.

I'LL GET IT.

I DON'T WANT THAT THING TO SNAP OFF.

I DON'T THINK SO.

KNOTS IN IT LIKE THAT.

THAT'S...

I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT'S A PRETTY RASCAL.

HE IS THAT.

LET'S SEE.

LOOK AT THE COLORS ON IT.

IT'S LIKE A RAINBOW.

LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

THANK YOU, SIR.

I WAS GONNA TELL YOU IF YOU SHUT HIS MOUTH, THEN YOU'LL SEAL THAT LOWER JAW.

OH, OKAY.

I'M SORRY.

I'LL REMEMBER ON THE NEXT ONE.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

MM-HMM.

YEP.

THOSE KNOTS ON THAT SIX-POUND TEST, CAN'T STAND IT.

NOPE.

GOTS TO RE-TIE.

AH, HERE YOU GO.

(Gene) I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN GET A BROTHER, SISTER, COUSIN, OR SOMEBODY.

(Kurt) THIS IS GOOD LIGHT-TACKLE FISHING.

OH, IT IS--LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THAT.

THAT BOY IS GREAT.

THAT'S GREAT.

YOU NEED A NET ON THAT?

NO, I'LL LIFT HIM IN.

OH, QUICK RELEASE.

I LIKE THAT.

GOT A JUMP OUT OF HIM.

OH.

WE'RE GONNA CHECK OUT MY... YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY JUMP.

IT WAS.

I LIKE THE WAY THEY COME OVER.

OH, YEAH.

GOT ANOTHER ONE, GENE?

YEAH, THEY GOT A STICK ON 'EM.

MUST HAVE BEEN IN SOME SHALLOW WATER.

I SEE.

THAT'S, UH, GRASS.

LITTLE POD IN THERE, HEY?

YEAH.

THAT'S A LITTLE BUCK THERE, ISN'T IT?

THINK SO.

THINK SO.

THEY USUALLY JUMP A LOT.

YEAH... HMM, IS THAT THE SAME GREEN?

IS THAT GREEN OR IS THAT WHITE ON THERE?

LOOKIE THAT.

I KEEP HAVIN' TO GET THAT THING.

THERE YOU GO.

BET SHE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM THE OCEAN.

SWAM ALL THE WAY UP THE... FROM THE NEUSE RIVER.

THAT'S AMAZING.

ISN'T IT?

TO MEET YOU HERE.

THAT'S AMAZING.

YEAH, THEY WERE BORN HERE A FEW YEARS AGO.

SHUT HIS-- SHUT HIS MOUTH.

AND SEE HOW THAT THING SHUTS SQUARE.

LET'S JUST CATCH ANOTHER ONE AND DO THAT.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID LAST TIME, ISN'T IT?

[laughs] YEAH, I THINK SO.

DOES THAT GOT A METAL FLAKE IN IT?

YES.

HMM, THAT'S TWO IN A ROW ON THAT THING.

I THINK I'M GONNA PUT ONE OF THEM ON.

WELL...

I GOT A FEW IN THAT BOX DOWN THERE IF YOU WANT SOME.

I TIED A WHOLE, UH, UH, A WHOLE-- JUST A WHOLE 'NOTHER ONE ON.

THAT'S A LITTLE SPOT RIGHT HERE IS RISKY FISH OUT HERE RECENTLY.

THIS IS GOOD.

WELL, THAT'S NOT HOT--, NOT HOT AND HEAVY, BUT WE'RE BANGING AWAY AT IT.

YEAH.

LOOKS LIKE KIND OF A LITTLE PASSAGE WAY INTO ANOTHER SPOT OVER THERE WHERE IT'S OPENED UP SOMEWHAT IN THE TREES.

(Kurt) PRETTY DEEP UNDERNEATH THOSE.

(Gene) YEAH, I THINK IT'S, LIKE, 10 OR 11 FOOT RIGHT HERE.

BUT WE CASTING IT IN I BELIEVE FIVE- OR SIX-FOOT.

I'M DROPPIN' ON HIS HEAD, GENE.

GOTTA GET DOWN THERE AND GOTTA CRANK ON IT.

GOOD DEAL.

I GUARANTEE YOU HE WAS AT TOP.

THAT'S GREAT.

STAYIN' DOWN KINDA DEEP.

OH, NICE FISH.

NICE FISH.

HE DOESN'T WANNA JUMP THOUGH, DOES HE?

YOU SEE THAT I FLEW RIGHT IN THERE BEHIND YOU, DIDN'T YOU?

THAT FISH WON'T STAY DOWN.

GOOD SIZE FISH.

I'M SURPRISED THAT HE'S JUMPIN' AT IT.

I TELL YOU WHAT-- YOU SEE IT GLISTENING IN THE WATER LIKE THAT.

IT'S JUST--THAT'S SWEET.

I'M TRYING TO LIFT HER RIGHT IN HERE.

OR, TAKE HIM BACK!

I DON'T THINK SHE'S GONNA DO THAT OR NOT.

IT WASN'T THAT ONE.

THERE YOU GO.

THERE YOU GO.

A LITTLE TAIL DANCIN'.

THAT'S NICE THERE NOW.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

YOU SEE HOW MUCH I'M HELPIN' YOU WITH IT, DON'T YA?

HMM.

[talking all at once] SHE'S NOT FEELIN' RIGHT.

IS SHE?

MM-HMM.

WHOA!

WHOA, BOY.

SCARED OF YOU, AIN'T SHE?

YEAH, I GUESS SO.

THAT'S SOME GOOD EATIN', THAT ROGUE.

I ALWAYS FEEL KINDA BAD.

DO YOU, UH, I MEAN, DO THEY JUST GO BY ITSELF?

MM-HMM.

FRIED UP GOOD AND CRISP.

REALLY?

I'VE HAD SOME ROE AND EGGS AND STUFF.

AND HAD THAT WHEN I WAS A LITTLE MAN.

BUT, UH, A KID, I GUESS.

I LIKE IT.

JUST FRY IT UP GOOD AND CRISP WITH SOME TEXAS PETE ON IT AND SOME FRESH LOAF OF BREAD.

(both) MM.

I'M GETTIN' HUNGRY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

BETTER STOP THAT.

JOE, NORMALLY ABOUT NOW WE'D BE TALKIN' ABOUT A GOOD DAY OF FISHIN', BUT THIS PARTICULAR TIME WE'D HAD A TOUGH DAY.

YEAH, THE GUYS HAD TO WORK AT IT A LITTLE BIT THAT DAY.

WE, UM, A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE THEY HAD, UH-- GUYS WERE CATCHING 60 AND 70 FISH, UM, IN THE MORNING.

AND, UH, THIS PARTICULAR DAY IT WAS NOTHING.

IT WAS A PRETTY DAY.

IT WAS NOTHING, UM, ABNORMAL ABOUT IT.

IT WAS JUST--THAT'S THE WAY THE SHAD--THEY MOVE IN-- THEY'RE MIGRATING IN THE SMALL, SO YOU BASICALLY FISH WAVES OF FISH, YOU KNOW.

AND IF YOU HIT A GOOD DAY, YOU CAN CATCH 70 FISH IN THE MORNING.

UH, THAT DAY I THINK WE ENDED UP WITH 12 OR 15 FISH, WHICH IS STILL GOOD, BUT WE JUST HAD TO WORK A LITTLE HARDER FOR 'EM.

IT WAS A TOUGH DAY.

LET'S FIND OUT MORE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ WELL, WE HAD A GOOD TIME THIS MORNING, DIDN'T WE?

YEAH, IT WAS FUN.

SHAD FISHING'S ALWAYS FUN.

IT'S GOOD LIGHT-TACKLE FISHING.

START THE YEAR OFF RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S, UH, I DON'T KNOW, ABOUT THE TENTH DAY OF MARCH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND, UH, WE'RE--WELL, THE WATER TEMPERATURE RIGHT HERE LOOKS LIKE IT'S ABOUT 49/50 DEGREES.

AND I GUESS THEY'RE STARTING TO MOVE AROUND PRETTY GOOD IN HERE.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH IN THE SHALLOWS.

BUT, UH, I DON'T KNOW.

(Kurt) YEAH, HARD TO SAY.

THAT COULD BE 'CAUSE THE WATER WASN'T QUITE AS DEEP THERE, AND THE VISIBILITY WAS BETTER.

I KNOW MOST OF THE FISH WE CAUGHT WERE KINDA HIGH TO THE SURFACE.

IT'S PROBABLY A VISIBILITY-ORIENTED THING.

IT TOOK US A WHILE TO FIGURE THAT OUT, THOUGH DIDN'T IT?

YEAH, WELL, WE WATCH OTHER PEOPLE.

[laughter] WE CAN ADJUST.

TRULY.

THAT'S PART OF FISHIN'.

TRUE.

I'LL TELL YOU, LIGHT-TACKLE FISHING FOR SHAD, IT'S JUST FUN.

THEY JUMP A LOT.

UH, THAT'S A FIVE, THREE ULTRA LIGHT FOUR POUND TEST.

I LOVE FISHIN' IN A PLACE LIKE THIS.

IT'S FREE, IT'S EASY, AND IT DOESN'T GET HUNG UP.

I SHAD FISH SOME OFF THE BANK, YOU KNOW.

I'VE GOT STILL A SIX-POUND TEST.

NOT A SMALL-- IT'S A GOOD REEL.

AND IT'S A SIX-SIX.

GIVES YOU MORE DISTANCE IF YOU'RE FISHING OFF THE BANK, AND NOT IN A JAMMED UP PLACE.

BUT IT'LL GET YOU IN THE TREES IN HERE.

YEAH, YEAH.

FOR SURE.

THAT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY GOOD, UH, RULE OF THUMB.

ANY ROD THAT'S A GOOD SPECKLE TROUT ROD, RIGHT.

YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH IN THE BALLPARK FOR A SHAD.

WELL, ACTUALLY FISHING FOR THESE SHAD WAS A LOT LIKE FISHING SPECKLED TROUT.

THERE'S A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

(Kurt) A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

(Gene) WE WERE TRYING TO FIND 'EM IN THE WATER, YOU KNOW, WE STARTED OFF TRYING TO CATCH 'EM DEEP.

AND WE CAUGHT A FEW DEEP, AND THEN THEY SEEMED LIKE THEY SLOWED UP, AND WE WAS WATCHING A FEW OTHER PEOPLE, LIKE I SAID EARLIER AND-- AND IT, UH, WE FINALLY CAUGHT 'EM ENOUGH TWO-THIRDS OF--I THINK.

(Kurt) I THINK THAT WAS A VISIBILITY-ORIENTED THING.

(Gene) YEAH.

YEAH.

(Kurt) I LIKE CARRYING A DIP NET WITH ME.

IF YOU'RE USING THIS LIGHT TACKLE, A LOT OF THE TRADITIONAL RIGS THAT PEOPLE USE, AND WE LOST MOST OF OUR SPOONS 'CAUSE-- THE SHINY SPOONS, YOU KNOW, CAUGHT FISH, BUT YOU LOSE A DOUBLE RIG MORE TYING ON THIS LIGHT POUND TEST LINE.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN EXTRA KNOT IN YOUR LINE, YOU'RE MORE PRONE TO BREAK IT OFF.

YOU CAN'T HARDLY LIFT IT, YOU KNOW.

A POUND AND A HALF, TWO-POUND FISH IN WITHOUT MAYBE SNAPPING IT OUT.

IT'S JUST A WEAK SPOT.

TRUE.

TRUE.

TRADITIONAL BAIT, SPOON FOR SHAD BEEN USED FOR YEARS.

MOSTLY GOLD AND SILVER ARE FAVORITES, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF COLORS OUT THERE.

MM-HMM.

UH, SHAD DARTS.

MM-HMM.

I'VE FISHED WITH 'EM FOR YEARS.

DIFFERENT SIZES.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE STAND-BY RIGHT HERE WITH THAT ORANGE TIP AND WHITE.

YEP.

WHAT I'VE USED THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS JUST BECAUSE I LIKE THE WAY IT FISHES.

YOU CAN TELL HOW IT IS IN THE DEPTH OF THE WATER.

IT'S JUST A SINGLE LITTLE TWISTER TAIL.

MOSTLY I CAST AN 1/8 OUNCE HEAD.

I LIKE A PINK WITH A WHITE OR A PINK WITH A CHARTREUSE.

AND I LIKE THE CHARTREUSE WITH, UH, FLECKS IN IT.

AND I LIKE A STRAIGHT CHARTREUSE.

THEY'RE CHEAP.

YOU CAN GET A PACK OF 20 OR 25 FOR THE SAME PRICE AS YOU CAN GET, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF SHAD RIGS.

AND YOU GOT MORE CONTROL OF IT.

IT THINK IT CASTS FURTHER.

AND IF YOU LOSE IT, HEY, TIE ON ANOTHER ONE.

YEAH.

WELL, I TELL YOU, I STARTED OUT WITH A TRADITIONAL RIG TODAY, AND IT DIDN'T TAKE ME LONG TO CHANGE AFTER YOU STARTED CATCHING FISH, AND I WASN'T CATCHING ANY.

WELL, THAT'S 'CAUSE WE LOST ALL THEM.

THAT'S TRUE TOO.

[laughter] I TELL YOU SOMETHING, YOU PUT ME ON A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

REAL MAGIC, JUST A SILICONE SPRAY WITH LIGHT POUND TEST.

SPRAY IT ON YOUR LINE, YOU CAST BETTER.

AND IT JUST MAKES IT EASIER.

I ENJOYED IT.

OH, MAN, I ENJOYED IT TOO.

TAKE CARE.

LET'S DO IT.

ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.

WE HOPE YOU CAN USE THAT INFORMATION IF YOU'RE HEADED OUT FISHING FOR SHAD ANY TIME SOON.

NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE FOR HUSH PUPPIES WITH SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ HI.

WELCOME TO SIMPLE COOKING.

TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING SOME STUFFED HUSHPUPPIES.

AND THIS IS KIND OF A LITTLE DIFFERENT WAY TO SERVE HUSHPUPPIES, BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THEM LARGE, LIKE A LARGE GOLF BALL TO A BASEBALL SIZE.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA FILL THEM WITH ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL YUMMY THINGS.

SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO USE YOUR HUSHPUPPIES.

YOU STILL GET THAT GREAT FLAVOR, BUT YOU CAN STUFF 'EM WITH LOTS OF FUN THINGS.

AND THEY'RE GREAT WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE TO STUFF 'EM WITH SOMETHING REALLY NICE AND COOL, LIKE SALADS, OR IF IT'S COLD, YOU CAN STUFF 'EM WITH SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE HEARTY.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE THREE CUPS OF HUSHPUPPY MIX WITH ONIONS.

AND YOU CAN USE THE PLAIN IF YOU LIKE.

I LIKE THE ONION FLAVORS, SO-- THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD ONE AND A HALF CUPS OF WATER TO THIS.

AND YOU MAY NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE OR A LITTLE BIT LESS OF WATER DEPENDING ON THE HUMIDITY OUTSIDE, OR, UM, YOUR CLIMATE AREA.

SO IF IT'S RAINY, THEN YOU MIGHT NEED LESS.

AND IF IT'S DRY, THEN YOU MIGHT NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA MIX THIS TOGETHER UNTIL IT FORMS A NICE, SOFT DOUGH.

AND YOU CAN JUST--IT GOES TOGETHER REALLY QUICKLY.

AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO-- I NEED JUST A TAD BIT MORE WATER.

AND THEN YOU'RE GONNA LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES JUST SO THAT ALL OF THE MOISTURE IS ABSORBED INTO THE MIXTURE, INTO THE DRY INGREDIENTS.

AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE, UM, A HAR--IT'S A SOFT DOUGH, BUT IT'S NOT REAL STICKY.

SO ANYWAY, SO THERE WE HAVE IT.

IT'S ALL READY TO GO.

WE'RE GONNA GO OVER HERE TO MY, UM, BOARD.

AND WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS I'M GOING TO USE AN ICE CREAM SCOOP.

AND THIS WAY YOU CAN GET KIND OF THE SAME PROPORTION EVERY TIME AND MAKE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE CONSISTENT, OR EVEN, UNIFORM, OR YOU CAN JUST USE YOUR HANDS, IF YOU WANT TO AS WELL.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO TAKE THEM LIKE THAT, ROLL 'EM INTO A BALL, AND THEN THEY'RE READY TO DROP INTO YOUR FRYER.

YOU WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOUR OIL IS NICE AND HOT, BUT NOT TOO HOT.

SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S READY IS I'M JUST GONNA TAKE A PINCH OF MY HUSHPUPPY MIX, AND I'M JUST GONNA DROP IT INTO MY FRYER.

AND IT'S NICE AND READY TO GO.

'CAUSE IF IT'S TOO HOT, IT'LL COOK TOO FAST ON THE OUTSIDE, AND THE INSIDE WILL BE MUSHY OR RAW.

AND IF IT COOKS TOO SLOW, THEN IT'S GONNA ABSORB A LOT OF THAT OIL, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT GREASY INSIDE.

SO YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

SO WE'RE GONNA DROP THESE IN, AND THESE WILL TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO COOK THAN, OF COURSE, YOUR THINNER HUSHPUPPIES.

SO WE'RE GOING TO JUST SCOOP THIS UP AND CONTINUE DOING THIS UNTIL THEY'RE ALL DONE.

AND YOU CAN COOK PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE AT ONE TIME.

AND THEN LET YOUR HEAT COME BACK AND YOUR OIL COME BACK TO TEMPERATURE, AND THEN GO AHEAD AND DO ANOTHER BATCH.

SO THOSE ARE GONNA BE COOKING, AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE FINISHED.

AND WE'RE GONNA START FILLING 'EM.

SO THIS IS ONE OF MY BIGGER ONES THAT I DID.

YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE JUST LIKE A LITTLE HUSHPUPPY BALL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO-- IF THEY'RE LOPSIDED, YOU MIGHT WANNA CUT OFF A LITTLE BIT AT THE BOTTOM, SO THAT THEY'RE NICE AND FLAT AND STAND UP.

SO WE'RE GONNA CUT OFF A LITTLE BIT AT THE TOP.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA TAKE OUR SPOON, AND WE'RE JUST GONNA HOLLOW IT OUT.

AND YOU CAN--IF YOU WANNA PUT A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, INGREDIENTS IN THE MIDDLE, THEN HOLLOW IT OUT COMPLETELY.

IF NOT, YOU CAN JUST HOLLOW IT OUT A LITTLE BIT.

AND YOU CAN PUT GREAT SALADS IN HERE.

LIKE, IF YOU WANNA DO A LITTLE CHICKEN SALAD OR A LITTLE SALAD, LIKE, A DUCK SALAD WOULD BE GREAT.

UM, I HAVE A BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD IN MINE.

I HAVE A DUCK AND A BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD.

I HAVE, UM, SOME BEET AND GOAT CHEESE DIP, WHICH I REALLY LIKE.

AND THEN I HAVE ONE THAT JUST HAS, UM, BLUE CHEESE IN IT.

SO YOU CAN KINDA DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

OR YOU CAN BUY SOME TOPPINGS OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE, WHICH IS ALWAYS NICE TOO.

AND THIS IS JUST A TOMATO BRUSCHETTA THAT I FOUND AT THE GROCERY.

AND I'M JUST GONNA TOP IT, OR PUT MINE INSIDE.

THEN YOU CAN TOP IT WITH A LITTLE SPRIG OF PARSLEY IF YOU WANT, AND IT'S A GREAT APPETIZER.

IT'S KIND OF FUN.

IT'D BE A GREAT THING FOR A SIDE ON YOUR SALADS AS WELL.

SO LET'S SEE.

WE'RE GONNA TURN THESE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY'RE COOKIN' UP REALLY NICE.

BUT THEY DO TAKE QUITE A BIT LONGER THAN YOUR REGULAR HUSHPUPPIES.

SO BE PATIENT, 'CAUSE YOU WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET DONE THROUGHOUT.

AND ONCE THEY'RE FINISHED, BRING 'EM OUT, LET 'EM COOL A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN SLICE 'EM OFF-- OFF THE TOP, AND THEN HOLLOW THEM OUT, SO IT'LL BE GREAT.

UM, THESE-- THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE FINISHED.

THEY JUST KIND OF MAKE KIND OF A NICE, LITTLE, FUN APPETIZER OR A SIDE FOR A SALAD.

SO, UM, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE STUFFED HUSHPUPPIES, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME.

DONNA, AS ALWAYS, THAT'S JUST A TASTY RECIPE.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK.

KURT LIKES THE TWISTER TAILS.

YEAH, HE MENTIONED IN GEAR TIME HE LIKES TO USE IT BECAUSE OF THE, UH, THE ACTION HE GETS FROM IT.

HE FEELS LIKE HE'S GOT BETTER CONTROL OF IT.

UH, KNOWS WHAT IT'S DOING, KNOWS WHERE IT IS.

AND, UH, AND I'VE NOTICED MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE USING, UH, THE TWISTER TAILS.

AND THEY'RE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN THE DARTS AND THE SPOONS.

AND WHEN YOU'RE IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE WE WERE IN THAT DAY WHERE YOU HANG UP, SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET THE BAITS BACK, SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T.

SO IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

UM, BUT THE SHAD, WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT IT?

WE TRY TO DO A SHAD SHOW EVERY YEAR.

UM, THEY'RE AVAILABLE IN THE SPRING.

ONLY IN THE SPRING.

THEY COME IN AND SPAWN, BOTH THE HICKORY AND THE WHITE, AND THEY RETURN TO THE OCEAN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

BUT IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE ANY SHAD FISHING IN COASTAL CAROLINA, YOU NEED TO TRY BECAUSE IT'S A-- IT'S A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT'S AVAILABLE, UH, THE POPULATIONS ARE GOOD AND HEALTHY, AND RIGHT NOW AND, UM, GO GIVE IT A TRY.

SHAD FISHING, JUST ANOTHER GREAT REASON TO FISH IN NORTH CAROLINA.

ABSOLUTELY.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.

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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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