[PIANO INTRO] IF THIS IS A FLOUNDER, THIS IS A NICE ONE.

I THINK I'VE GOT A FLOUNDER, BUT IT'S TOO SMALL, CAN'T EAT IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS.

HE HIT LIKE A--OOH, IT'S-- WHAT IS IT?

I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS... A NICE, NICE FLOUNDER.

OH, VERY NICE.

YES, NICE FLOUNDER.

OH, HE'S PRETTY.

HE MIGHT BE DINNER TOO.

THERE, THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

WOW.

(Anna) OH, THAT'S A GREAT ONE.

(George) YEAH, THIS GUY WAS HUNGRY.

AS SOON AS HE HIT IT, HE HAD IT.

I MEAN, HE WAS BIG ENOUGH.

HE SUCKED THAT WHOLE FINGER MULLET UP.

IS HE BIG ENOUGH?

YEAH, HE'S BIG ENOUGH.

HE'S ABOUT 16 INCHES LONG.

LOOK HOW WIDE-- OH.

WHAT, YOU GOT A BITE?

TIGHTEN UP ON IT.

SEE HOW WIDE HIS MOUTH IS?

LOOK HOW-- LOOK AT THE THING REALLY-- AND THEY GOT TEETH TOO.

BUT SEE, I MEAN, HE CAN OPEN HIS MOUTH UP.

- [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 IS ABOUT THE GUIDE TAKING THE DAY OFF, BUT YET HE TAKES HIS WIFE ON A DATE, JOE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING FISHING WITH CAPTAIN GEORGE BECKWITH OUT OF ORIENTAL AND HIS WIFE, ANNA.

HE JUST DECIDED TO TAKE THE DAY OFF AND GO FLOUNDER FISHING.

SHE HAD NEVER CAUGHT A FLOUNDER BUT HAS CAUGHT HER SHARE OF BIG FISH.

SHE'S CAUGHT BLUE MARLIN.

SHE'S CAUGHT SAILFISH.

SHE'S CAUGHT TARPON AND A LOT OF BIG RED DRUM.

THAT'S GEORGE'S SPECIALTY OUT IN THE NEUSE RIVER, PAMLICO SOUND AREA.

AND WE HAD A LOT OF FUN AND CAUGHT A LOT OF NICE FLOUNDER.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN GEAR TIME TODAY?

(Joe) THEY'RE GONNA KIND OF GO OVER WHAT THEY USED.

IT WAS BASICALLY PRETTY SIMPLE, LIVE BAIT, MENHADEN, AND MULLET.

PRIMARILY THE MULLET IS WHAT GEORGE LIKES TO USE FOR FLOUNDER.

AND THEY JUST HAD-- THEY JUST TOOK THE MORNING OFF, AND GEORGE SHOWED HER HOW TO DO IT.

AND DONNA'S RECIPE TODAY: SOUTHERN FRIED FISH SALAD.

(Joe) YEAH, IT'S KIND OF A DIFFERENT RECIPE FROM HER TODAY.

I HAVEN'T TRIED IT, BUT IT SOUNDS GOOD.

GOT TO GET TO PAYING THE PIPER FOR THAT.

LET'S GET STARTED HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

ANNA, WE GOT A TON OF MENHADEN.

(Anna) OH , THERE YOU GO.

YEAH, WE GOT A TON OF MENHADEN BACK AT THE DOCK, BUT THIS IS REALLY WHAT WE WANT.

THESE ARE FINGER MULLET.

SO WE--WE ARE RIGGED UP TO CATCH SOME FLOUNDERS AND MAYBE A PUPPY DRUM.

IS THAT OKAY?

I KNOW YOUR FIRST FISH WAS A TARPON.

SO, YOU KNOW, FLOUNDER ARE A LITTLE BIT ANTICLIMACTIC, BUT THEY'RE GOOD EATING.

THEY ARE.

THEY'RE DELICIOUS STUFFED WI TH CRAB MEAT, MY FAVORITE.

PUT THESE GUYS IN THE LIVE WELL.

OH, WE LOST ONE.

LET'S GO, LITTLE BUDDY.

YOU'RE GONNA HELP ME CATCH MY FLOUNDER TODAY.

ALL RIGHT, THERE AIN'T ONE MORE THRILL LIKE THAT, WE SHOULD HAVE PLENTY.

ALL RIGHT, JUST POINT THE WAY.

OKAY, BABE, WE'RE HERE.

THERE'S LOTS OF ROCKS AND HANGS.

THESE FLOUNDER LIKE TO GET RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROCKS AND HANGS, ANY JETTIES OR STRUCTURE ALONG THESE SANDY BANKS, AND THEY--THEY LIKE THE SAND, BUT THEY LIKE TO BE RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROCKS, AND WHAT WE'RE USING-- RIGHT WHERE I'M GONNA GET THEM HUNG UP ON?

EXACTLY, SO WE'RE GONNA GET HUNG UP A BUNCH.

NOT A BIG DEAL.

USING A LITTLE FINGER MULLET AND MENHADEN, WE'RE GONNA START OFF WITH THE MEN-- WITH THE FINGER MULLET, BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA LAST LONGER.

OPEN HIS MOUTH, HOOK HIM UP RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES, JUST A LITTLE CAROLINA RIG.

AND TAKE THIS GUY.

WE'RE GONNA ZOOM HIM OUT THERE.

AND IT'S JUST, LIKE, A FOOT AND A HALF DEEP.

SO IT'S SUPER, SUPER SHALLOW.

AND WHAT YOU'LL DO IS JUST PULL IT REAL SLOW, AND WE'RE JUST INCHING 'EM ALONG THE BOTTOM, AND THEN REEL IN THE SLACK AND JUST PULL HIM REAL SLOW.

WHAT DOES A FLOUNDER BITE FEEL LIKE?

I ALWAYS HAVE TROUBLE FEELING THAT BITE WITH THE FLOUNDER.

I HOPE TO SHOW YOU ONE HERE IN A SECOND.

[laughter] IT'S-- IF YOU GET SOMETHING-- IF YOU'RE PULLING ALONG AND YOU FEEL ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, THEN WHAT YOU CAN DO IS STOP AND BRING IT BACK, AND THAT GIVES THEM JUST A FEW SECONDS TO EAT IT, BECAUSE THE FLOUNDER EAT IT TAIL FIRST.

AND--OH, THERE WAS SOMETHING THERE, I THINK.

I THOUGHT I FELT SOMETHING.

HE--BUT NOPE, HE'S NOT THERE.

SO WE JUST KEEP INCHING 'EM ALONG.

A PUPPY DRUM--AND THERE'S LOTS OF PUPPY DRUM HERE-- THE PUPPY DRUM ARE GONNA HIT IT AND RUN WITH IT, SO YOU DON'T WANT TO LET THE PUPPY DRUM TAKE IT.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING.

WE DON'T WANT TO GUT HOOK THE PUPPY DRUM.

THE PUPPY DRUM HIT IT HEAD FIRST.

YOU FEEL IT.

IT'S A STRONGER PULL.

YEAH, IF A PUPPY DRUM'S GOT IT, HE SHOULD GRAB IT AND RUN ON.

THE FLOUNDER, SOMETIMES YOU'LL FEEL THE BITE, BUT SOMETIMES IT'LL JUST FEEL MUSHY, LIKE IT'S GOT GRASS OR SOMETHING, 'CAUSE THEY GRAB IT BY THE TAIL AND JUST SIT THERE WITH IT.

SO YOU GIVE 'EM JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS, AND THEN YOU JUST START PULLING AGAIN, AND IF IT'S STILL THERE, JUST RAISE THE ROD AND START REELING.

OKAY.

AND THAT'S THE DEAL.

SO I'M GONNA SLING THIS OUT THERE AGAIN AND...

THERE YOU GO, BABE.

LET ME GET ONE TOO.

WHY THANK YOU.

KEEP REELING.

BUT I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S A PUPPY DRUM, 'CAUSE I-- I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

HE'S STAYING DOWN LIKE A FLOUNDER.

I THINK IT-- I THINK THIS IS LOADED UP WITH THE LITTLE GUYS, BUNCHES OF LITTLE BABIES.

YEAH, SEE HOW HE'S STAYING DOWN LIKE THAT?

OH, MY GOD, I'VE CAUGHT MY VERY OWN FLOUNDER.

THERE YOU GO.

OKAY, OPEN THE BAIL FOR ME.

OKAY, YOU GOT IT.

UH-OH.

[grunts] OH, OH, WAIT, I'LL TAKE THAT.

OH, JEEZ.

I FIGURED YOU WOULD.

I THINK THAT'S MORE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

IT'S NOT-- OH, I LOVE THAT PULL.

YOU KNOW, AND THE FLOUNDER AND THE PUPPY DRUM, THEY STAY IN THE SAME KIND OF HABITAT.

YOU GET 'EM RIGHT THERE TOGETHER.

I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER PUPPY DRUM.

HE MAY BE-- I THINK HE MIGHT BE DINNER.

HE MAY BE BIG ENOUGH.

HOW'S THAT FLOUNDER LOOKING, NOT DINNER?

NOPE, NOT DINNER.

SEE YOU, BABY.

OKAY.

LET'S SEE.

WHAT DO WE GOT HERE?

YEP, PUPPY DRUM.

I THINK HE'S GONNA-- YEAH, ALL RIGHT.

WE GOT DINNER NOW.

LITTLE BLACKENED RED FISH.

ALL RIGHT.

JUST RAISE YOUR ROD, BRING HIM AROUND.

LITTLE BIT MORE, LITTLE BIT MORE, LITTLE BIT MORE, LITTLE BIT MORE.

GOT IT?

HE'S NOT READY TO COME IN YET.

AND I'M ENJOYING THE PULL.

NOW, THIS IS A TWO-YEAR-OLD.

SO THIS GUY'S COMING UP ON HIS SECOND BIRTHDAY.

GOT IT?

OH.

ALL RIGHT, ONE MORE TIME.

YOU CAN DO IT, BUD.

YEAH, ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

GOOD DEAL, GOOD DEAL.

IF THIS IS A FLOUNDER, THIS IS A NICE ONE.

I THINK I'VE GOT A FLOUNDER, BUT IT'S TOO SMALL, CAN'T EAT IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS.

HE HIT LIKE A--OOH, IT'S-- WHAT IS IT?

I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS... A NICE, NICE FLOUNDER.

OH, VERY NICE.

YES, NICE FLOUNDER.

OH, HE'S PRETTY.

HE MIGHT BE DINNER TOO.

THERE, THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

WOW.

(Anna) OH, THAT'S A GREAT ONE.

(George) YEAH, THIS GUY WAS HUNGRY.

AS SOON AS HE HIT IT, HE HAD IT.

I MEAN, HE WAS BIG ENOUGH.

HE SUCKED THAT WHOLE FINGER MULLET UP.

IS HE BIG ENOUGH?

YEAH, HE'S BIG ENOUGH.

HE'S ABOUT 16 INCHES LONG.

LOOK HOW WIDE-- OH.

WHAT, YOU GOT A BITE?

TIGHTEN UP ON IT.

SEE HOW WIDE HIS MOUTH IS?

LOOK HOW-- LOOK AT THE THING REALLY-- AND THEY GOT TEETH TOO.

BUT SEE, I MEAN, HE CAN OPEN HIS MOUTH UP AND REALLY TAKE A BIG BAIT.

AND THERE'S HIS STOMACH RIGHT THERE.

HE'S GOT SOMETHING INSIDE THERE, SO THEY'RE FEEDING.

LET'S PUT THIS GUY IN THE COOLER, AND WE'LL HAVE, MAYBE FRIED FLOUNDER AND PUPPY DRUM ON THE GRILL.

SOUND GOOD?

STUFFED WITH CRAB MEAT?

STUFFED WITH CRAB MEAT, FLOUNDER?

OKAY, THAT MEANS I GOT TO BUY THE CRAB MEAT.

HERE WE GOT SOME FREE FISH, AND YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME BUY CRAB MEAT.

(Anna) I THINK I MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE ONE.

KEEP IT TIGHT.

LET'S SEE, LET'S SEE, LET'S SEE.

I THINK IT'S-- DID YOU GET THAT LITTLE ONE I MISSED?

I DON'T KNOW.

LET'S SEE.

HE'S STILL ON THERE.

THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING.

OH, IT IS A LITTLE ONE.

BUT I GOT ONE.

THAT'S TWO IN A DAY.

THAT MEANS THAT I-- IT'S NOT ME.

THERE WE GO, LITTLE BABY GUY.

OH, HE'S CUTE.

THERE ARE GONNA BE A WHOLE BUNCH OF 'EM NEXT YEAR, I THINK.

THERE WE GO.

LOOK, AND THEY'RE FEEDING REALLY HEAVY.

SEE HOW HIS BELLY'S BULGED UP RIGHT THERE?

HE'S JUST FULL OF LITTLE MINNOWS.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT ROCK JETTY STICKS OUT, AND THE FLOUNDER LAY RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROCK JETTY, AND THE BAIT FISH SWIMS DOWN THE SHORELINE AND HAS TO SWIM AROUND THAT JETTY.

SO THEY'RE LINED UP ON THE JETTY, AND ANY--JETTIES AND DOCKS, ANY PLACES LIKE THAT, YOU CAN REALLY GET THE FLOUNDER.

OH, THERE HE GOES.

I AM SITTING-- THANKS FOR LETTING ME CATCH YOU.

HE JUST--HE SETTLED RIGHT BACK DOWN RIGHT THERE.

IF YOU HAD A GIG, YOU COULD'VE GIGGED HIM.

[laughter] (George) OKAY, THERE'S A FLOUNDER BITE.

AND SEE HOW HE GRABBED IT BY THE TAIL AND JUST INCHED UP?

AND I DIDN'T LET HIM TAKE IT QUITE LONG ENOUGH.

NOW, THE OTHER PROBLEM IS, THERE'S BEAUCOUPS OF LITTLE BABY 12, 11-, 12-, 13-INCH FLOUNDER.

SO DON'T GET FRUSTRATED IF YOU MISS ONE.

AND NORMALLY-- THAT BAIT'S STILL SWIMMING OKAY.

I'M GONNA MAKE ANOTHER CAST WITH THEM.

BUT IF THE BAIT'S NOT REAL LIVELY, THEN I DON'T WANT TO USE IT.

AND THE DEAL IS, IS THERE'S SO MANY LITTLE FLOUNDER, YOU JUST--THEY'RE JUST SIMPLY NOT BIG ENOUGH TO GET THE HOOK.

TO ACTUALLY EAT THE BAIT.

YEAH, SO IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE YOU GOT THERE?

[laughs] WAIT A MINUTE, I THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FISHING WITH A WHOLE FISH.

TAKE THIS ROD A SECOND.

LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

WHAT IN THE WORLD ATE THIS GUY?

I THINK SOMETHING TOOK HIM OFF THE HANG FOR ME.

YEAH, I BELIEVE THAT A CRAB STARTED, AND THE PINFISH-- THERE HE'S HOLLOWED OUT INSIDE-- THE PINFISH WORKED ON HIM PRETTY GOOD THERE.

SO THIS ONE DEFINITELY...

NEEDS TO GO.

YEAH, NEEDS TO GO.

SO WE'LL GET ANOTHER ONE.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING AS WELL.

YOU GOT SOMETHING.

OKAY, I GOT SOMETHING.

WHAT DO YOU GOT?

START REELING, START REELING, START REELING.

WITH MY LUCK, IT'S PROBABLY A CRAB.

START REELING.

I GOT A FLOUNDER.

OH, I THINK IT JUST CAME OFF.

I GOT A FLOUNDER.

I GOT A FLOUNDER.

NICE.

HE MIGHT BE LEGAL.

HE'S GONNA BE CLOSE.

I THINK HE'S GONNA BE TOO SMALL.

NOW, THIS GUY, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN LEGAL LAST YEAR.

HE'S PROBABLY 13 INCHES OR A LITTLE BIT OVER, AND IT'S--IT'S REALLY-- EVEN THOUGH WE GOT TO LET THIS ONE GO, IT'S A GOOD THING THEY DID RAISING THAT SIZE LIMIT, BECAUSE THE--THE FEMALES ARE NOT EVEN MATURE UNTIL THEY GET, LIKE, 14 INCHES, SO YOU'RE-- BY BUMPING THE SIZE LIMIT UP, YOU'RE GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO MATURE, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

COME HERE, BABY.

BUT YEAH, HE'S PROBABLY 13 INCHES.

AND YEAH, HE'S GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A FILET ON THERE, BUT... NOT MUCH.

WE GOT ONE FOR DINNER.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND LET HER GO AND GROW UP.

ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

JUST A LITTLE SWEET GOOD-BYE.

YEAH, YEAH.

START GOING.

SEE, WHILE YOU'RE GETTING HUNG UP, I'M-- WAIT, I'M EXCITED.

WAIT, WHAT IS IT?

WHAT'S ON THERE?

I DON'T KNOW.

I SEE THE MULLET.

UH-OH, I THINK IT'S YOUR FAVORITE FISH.

WHAT?

SEE HOW HE GRABBED IT?

REMEMBER HOW HE GRABBED IT AND PULLED REAL QUICK?

OH, IT'S A PUPPY.

COOL.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR, BUT, YOU KNOW.

THAT'LL WORK.

OKAY, THIS IS LAST YEAR'S FISH.

LAST YEAR'S BABIES.

YEP, THIS IS LAST YEAR'S BABIES, ABOUT 14 TO 12, 14 INCHES LONG.

AND HE'S COMING UP ON HIS ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY, AND HE'S HOOKED RIGHT IN THE CORNER OF THE MOUTH.

PERFECT, THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

THERE WE GO.

LOOK AT THAT GUY.

ISN'T HE CUTE?

SO NEXT YEAR, HE'LL BE LEGAL, AND THE YEAR AFTER, HE'LL BE ABOUT 25, 26 INCHES, AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT-- HE'LL BE-- OUT OF HERE, GONE TO THE OCEAN, AND WILL COME BACK AS AN ADULT ABOUT 40 INCHES LONG AND MAKE MORE OF THESE GUYS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

SO ABOUT SIX YEARS, WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE, BUDDY.

NOW, FLOUNDER NEXT TIME, OKAY?

I'LL DO MY BEST.

ALL RIGHT, GET YOU ANOTHER BAIT.

(Anna) I MAY HAVE GOTTEN HIM RIGHT BACK.

ALL RIGHT, HOLD ON, LET HIM TAKE IT A LITTLE BIT.

ALL RIGHT, REEL DOWN TO HIM, RAISE THE ROD, START CRANKING, START CRANKING, START CRANKING.

OH, DID I GET HIM?

DID I GET MY THIRD FLOUNDER?

OOH, YOU DO.

OH, I DO.

(Anna) JUST FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE MY THIRD FLOUNDER.

AND HOW MANY HAVE YOU CAUGHT TODAY?

UH, I DON'T KNOW.

I CAUGHT A KEEPER, THOUGH.

AND THAT ONE'S STILL NOT A KEEPER.

YEAH, BABY.

I DON'T KNOW, HE'S CLOSE.

WHY DON'T WE MEASURE HIM AND FIND OUT THIS TIME.

HE'S NOT BIG ENOUGH.

I CAN TELL YOU.

OOH, HE JUST TINKLED ON ME.

[laughter] HE'S LIKE 12 1/2 INCHES, MAYBE 13.

HE MIGHT BE 13, BUT HE'S NOT 14.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING MY THIRD FLOUNDER OF THE DAY.

ALL RIGHT, YOU BAIT YOUR OWN HOOK NEXT TIME.

[laughs] BAIT YOUR HOOK.

NO.

WHAT--WHY NOT?

WHY DO I PAY A FISHING GUIDE?

ALL RIGHT, WELL, OKAY, WELL, THEN I'LL BAIT-- AH, MISSED HIM.

NOW YOU GOT TO CATCH HIM.

I'LL BAIT YOUR HOOK.

SO YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO SET THE HOOK MUCH, JUST KIND OF-- JUST EASE IT UP.

YEP, JUST EASE IT UP.

IS THAT A BETTER ONE?

OH, NO, I THINK THIS IS A PUPPY DRUM.

NO, IT'S A NICE FLOUNDER.

OH, DID I GET MY KEEPER FISH?

YOU MIGHT HAVE A-- YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY GET TO EAT TONIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I'LL EAT YOUR FISH.

THAT'S WHY I MARRIED THE PROVIDER.

YEAH, THAT'S A NICE ONE.

DUDE, THIS ONE'S ACTUALLY PULLING.

YEAH, I KNOW.

YEAH, I'M IMPRESSED.

OOH, YEAH.

OH, YEAH.

OH, HE'S A BIG'UN.

OH, I HAVE OUTFISHED MY FISHING GUIDE HUSBAND TODAY.

YEAH, YEAH.

I THINK MINE'S BIGGER THAN YOURS.

YEAH, I'M SURE IT IS.

[laughs] ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.

HEY, FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST LEARNED HOW TO FLOUNDER FISH TODAY, I'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

YEAH, YOU'RE DOING OKAY.

I THINK YOU GOT THE HANG OF IT.

BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE YOU LONG TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

THERE WE GO.

THIS WAS THE BEST FIGHTING FLOUNDER.

I ACTUALLY GOT SOME PULLAGE ON THE LINE.

YEAH, WELL, HE WAS BIG ENOUGH THAT HE COULD ACTUALLY PULL SOME DRAG.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

HE'S GONNA MAKE A GREAT-- HE'S DINNER, DIN-DIN.

WOULD YOU OPEN THE COOLER FOR ME?

SURE, LET'S THROW HIM IN WITH THE REST OF OUR DINNER.

THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT, HE'S BIGGER THAN MINE.

VERY COOL.

WE DID IT.

(George) ALL RIGHT.

GET YOU RIGGED UP WITH ANOTHER ONE, AND I'M BAITING YOUR HOOK AGAIN, I GUESS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, HOLD THE ROD.

OKAY.

JOE, THAT COUPLE HAD A BLAST.

THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

AND--AND WE CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH THAT MORNING.

THEY KEPT A COUPLE FLOUNDER FOR DINNER.

AND WE HAD A LOT OF SMALLER FLOUNDER.

I WAS TALKING TO GEORGE.

HE'S SEEN A LOT OF FLOUNDER IN THE NEUSE RIVER AREA THIS YEAR, AND I'M HEARING THE SAME THING FOR THE PAMLICO, A LOT OF SMALL FISH.

HOPEFULLY, THEY'RE GONNA GROW UP AND BE BIGGER FISH.

BUT, YEAH, GEORGE OCCASIONALLY WILL TAKE A DAY OFF.

HE FISHES A LOT.

HE'S GOT A GREAT GUIDE SERVICE BASED OUT OF ORIENTAL, AND IF YOU WANT TO CATCH RED DRUM, IF YOU WANT TO CATCH FLOUNDER, TARPON--THERE'S A CHANCE FOR TARPON, HE OFFERS THAT TOO.

GIVE HIM A CALL.

BUT WE HAD A GREAT DAY ON THE WATER.

WELL, LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT WE USED.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

HEY, GEORGE, THANKS FOR TAKING ME FLOUNDER FISHING TODAY.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANKS FOR GOING.

I KNOW YOU'RE USED TO BIG FISH, I MEAN, 40-POUND DRUMS, YOUR FIRST FISH, AND THEN TARPON AND SAIL FISH AND-- OF COURSE, MY MARLIN.

YEAH, THE MARLIN THAT YOU STOLE FROM ME, BUT WE WON'T GO THERE.

BUT FLOUNDER FISHING IS A FUN THING TO DO WITH THE KIDS AND FAMILY.

YOU CAN DO IT OUT OF A LITTLE BOAT.

YOU DON'T NEED A BIG BOAT LIKE THIS.

IT'S NOT REAL SOPHISTICATED.

IT'S JUST HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.

YOU DON'T NEED A LIVE WELL.

A 5-GALLON BUCKET WILL WORK AND A 4- OR 5-FOOT CAST NET THAT'S EASY TO THROW, THAT KIDS CAN HELP CATCH BAIT.

AND AS FAR AS BAIT, WE'RE USING MULLET AND-- FINGER MULLET AND MENHADEN.

KIND OF MATCHING THE HOOK UP TO THE SIZE OF THE BAIT.

THAT'S ABOUT A NUMBER 2 KAHLE HOOK, ANYWHERE FROM A NUMBER 2 TO A 2/0 KAHLE HOOK.

THE LEADER, IT'S ABOUT 18 INCHES OF LEADER, AND IT'S JUST WHATEVER LINE THAT WE'RE USING, 12-, 14-POUND TEST, A BARREL SWIVEL, AND A LITTLE WEIGHT, 1/4 OUNCE TO 1/8 OUNCE, MAYBE A 1/2 OUNCE WEIGHT.

LITTLE BIT MORE WEIGHT IF THE WIND'S REAL BAD OR THERE'S A LOT OF CURRENT.

SPINNING RODS, JUST 12-POUND TEST SPINNING TACKLE, AND--AND WE'RE BEATING THE BANKS.

WE'RE FISHING PRIMARILY-- ALMOST ALL ON THE SHORELINE, ALONG THESE ROCK JETTIES AND ROCKS AND RIPRAP, ANYWHERE THERE'S THE NICE SANDY BOTTOM.

THOSE FLOUNDER LIKE TO GET ON THE SANDY BOTTOM, BUT THEY LIKE TO BE RIGHT NEXT TO THE STRUCTURE, BECAUSE AS THE PINFISH, LITTLE FISH, ARE SWIMMING AROUND THAT STRUCTURE, FEEDING ON THE ALGAE, THE FLOUNDER'LL REACH OUT AND GRAB THEM, AND SOME OF THESE PLACES, YOU CAN PULL UP AND JUST CATCH A LOT OF FISH JUST ANCHORED UP IN ONE SPOT.

HAVING A SKIFF AND A TROLL MOTOR IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT.

YOU CAN DO IT OUT OF A KAYAK, A CANOE.

YOU CAN EVEN WADE FISH.

IT'S ALL A FOOT AND A HALF OF WATER OR LESS.

BUT WE GOT THE BIG BOAT OUT HERE, BECAUSE I KNOW AFTER WE CATCH A COUPLE MORE FLOUNDER, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA WANT TO DO?

I'M GONNA WANT TO HEAD THAT WAY AND LOOK FOR SOME TARPON.

ALL RIGHT, WELL, LET'S GO GET ONE MORE, AND WE'LL SLIDE OUT THERE AND DO THE TARPON THING.

SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS, ANNA AND GEORGE, FOR THAT INFORMATION.

NOW, JOE, ONCE YOU GET THE FLOUNDER, YOU GOT TO GET HIM TO THE TABLE.

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU GOT TO CLEAN 'EM.

AND ANYBODY THAT CATCHES FLOUNDER ON A REGULAR BASIS AND CLEANS 'EM KNOWS THEY'RE NOT THE EASIEST FISH TO CLEAN.

AND GETTING BACK TO THE DOCK, GEORGE SAID HE HAD A QUICK METHOD OF DOING IT, AND HE CAN ACTUALLY DO IT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE, DOES A GREAT JOB.

SO LET'S JOIN GEORGE ON THE DOCK AND WATCH HIM CLEAN A FLOUNDER.

OKAY, BABE, I'M GONNA SHOW YOU ONE MORE TIME HOW TO CLEAN FLOUNDER.

AH, YOU SHOULDN'T WASTE YOUR TIME, BUT I'LL WATCH.

ALL RIGHT, WE-- YOU'VE ALREADY SCALED HIM, AND WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS START RIGHT HERE AND FOLLOW HIS RIBCAGE AROUND TO TAKE OFF HIS HEAD, AND THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO THAT.

AND THEN YOU'LL SEE HIS BACKBONE RIGHT HERE, HIS SPINE.

JUST STICK THE KNIFE RIGHT DOWN THE SPINE, AND YOU'RE JUST-- FILET, CUT THE MEAT RIGHT OFF OF THE-- KEEP THE BONE RIGHT NEXT TO HIS BONES-- OR KEEP THE KNIFE RIGHT NEXT TO HIS BONES AND FILET THE WHITE SIDE AND THEN COME AND DO THE SAME THING ON THIS SIDE, JUST FOLLOW THE-- FOLLOW THE BONE.

A NICE FLEXIBLE FILET KNIFE WORKS REALLY GOOD.

AND THEN AROUND THIS SIDE.

I MAKE IT LOOK EASY, BUT THERE'S REALLY NOTHING TO IT.

AND THAT'S IT.

HI, TODAY WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A SOUTHERN FRIED FISH SALAD.

THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE, AND WE ALL LOVE FRIED FLOUNDER AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER DURING THE SEASON, SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO ON OUR SALAD.

BUT IF YOU HAVE OTHER TYPES OF FISH THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR FREEZER OR THAT YOU'VE CAUGHT THAT DAY, YOU CAN USE, YOU KNOW, ANY TYPE OF FISH THAT YOU HAVE.

WE HAVE SOME GREAT FLOUNDER FILETS HERE.

THEY'RE JUST BEAUTIFUL.

SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA DREDGE THESE INTO OUR FISH FRY, AND THAT'S GONNA GIVE IT THAT NICE CORN MEAL CRUNCH ON THE OUTSIDE, WHICH IS REALLY YUMMY.

SO WE'RE GONNA PLACE THAT INTO-- ON OUR WAX PAPER, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST AN EASY WAY TO DO IT FOR ME, AND IT'S AN EASY CLEANUP AS WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT A LITTLE CRACKED BLACK PEPPER ON HERE.

AND IF YOU WANT TO SPICE THIS UP, YOU CAN USE SOME SPICY-- SOME HOT AND SPICY BREADER, WHICH WOULD BE REALLY GREAT AS WELL.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS THAT IF YOU WANT TO SPICE IT UP A LITTLE.

SO WE'RE READY TO GO.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR FLOUNDER, AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO DREDGE IT HERE INTO OUR BREADER, AND WE'LL BE READY TO GO.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR OIL IS HEATED TO ABOUT 400 DEGREES, SO IT'S JUST RIGHT.

IF YOU NEED, YOU CAN USE A THERMOMETER.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S-- YOUR OIL IS HOT ENOUGH, BUT NOT TOO HOT.

OTHERWISE, IT'LL COOK TOO FAST OR TOO SLOW, AND THEN IT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA DROP THAT INTO OUR OIL.

AND YOU CAN PAN FRY THESE ON THE STOVE IF YOU WANT AS WELL.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DEEP FRYER, YOU CAN PAN FRY THESE ON THE STOVE.

SO WE CAN SEE IT'S-- IT'S GETTING NICE AND BUBBLY, AND IT'S COOKING.

IT'S GONNA BE NICE AND CRISP AND CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE AND NICE AND FLAKEY ON THE INSIDE.

YOU WANT TO DO THESE IN BATCHES.

MY FILETS ARE KIND OF LARGE.

SO I'M GONNA DO THESE IN BATCHES JUST ONE AT A TIME.

SO WHILE THAT'S COOKING, WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND MAKE OUR SALAD FOR THIS.

AND WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS, I LIKE TO JUST BUY THE BAG SALAD, OR IF WE HAPPEN TO HAVE SOME SALAD IN OUR GARDEN, WE USE THAT AS WELL.

YOU KIND OF WANT TO USE KIND OF A HEAVIER LETTUCE.

SO WE HAVE OUR MIXED GREENS HERE.

WE'RE GONNA SPRINKLE SOME THINLY SLICED RED ONIONS ON TOP, AND I KIND OF MAKE MY SALADS WITH WHATEVER I HAPPEN TO HAVE AROUND MY HOUSE.

IF I HAVE ONIONS OR IF I HAVE FRUIT, I LIKE TO PUT FRUIT IN MINE.

IF WE HAVE TOMATOES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE GARDEN OR THAT WE'VE BOUGHT FROM THE LOCAL FARMERS' MARKET, WE DO THAT AS WELL.

AND THEN WE'LL PUT SOME CHERRY TOMATOES.

AND THEN I'M JUST GONNA SLICE SOME CUCUMBER TO PUT ON THIS TOO, 'CAUSE IT'S SOMETHING WE ENJOY.

AND THEN YOU CAN TOP IT WITH YOUR FAVORITE SALAD DRESSING.

I LIKE TO DO MAYBE SOME THAT HAS A LITTLE CITRUS IN IT, WHICH IS ALWAYS NICE AND LIGHT AS WELL.

IT GOES REALLY NICELY WITH YOUR FISH.

SO WE HAVE OUR SALAD MADE.

LET'S CHECK ON OUR FISH AND SEE HOW WE'RE DOING OVER HERE.

SOUNDS GOOD.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

WE'RE ALMOST FINISHED, DOESN'T TAKE BUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES TO COOK, AND WE'RE READY TO GO.

YOU JUST TAKE THESE OUT AND DRAIN THEM, AND THEN YOU'RE READY TO PUT THEM ON YOUR SALAD.

WE JUST PUT THAT ON TOP OF OUR SALAD, AND WE'RE GOOD.

DOESN'T TAKE VERY LONG AT ALL.

HERE'S ONE THAT I PUT TOGETHER AHEAD.

IT'S GOT YOUR NICE GOLDEN BROWN FLOUNDER, YOUR CRISP LETTUCE GREENS, AND YOU'RE READY TO GO FOR A NICE LIGHT MEAL.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SOUTHERN FRIED FLOUNDER SALAD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

THANKS, DONNA, FOR THE RECIPE FOR FISH SALAD.

NOW, JOE, WE'VE HAD A RECI--GREAT RECIPE TODAY.

WE HAVE HAD A LESSON ON HOW TO FILET A FLOUNDER TODAY.

AND OUR GUIDE ON HIS DAY OFF, HE'S BEEN BUSY.

HE'S BEEN BUSY.

AND HE'S ALWAYS BUSY.

HE DOES A LOT OF FISHING, AND NOT ONLY DOES HE FISH THE NEUSE RIVER, BUT HE SPENDS TIME UP ON THE ROANOKE RIVER IN SEASON IN SPRING.

HE OFFERS FISHING FOR ALBACORE AT CAPE LOOKOUT IN THE FALL-- FALL SEASON.

AND HE EVEN--EVEN GOT A SERVICE DOWN IN COSTA RICA IF YOU WANT TO GO REAL FAR SOUTH FOR BILLFISH, SOME OF THE--SOME OF THE BEST BILLFISHING IN THE WORLD.

BUT, MAN, GEORGE HAS BEEN IN IT FOR A LONG TIME.

BOTH HIM AND ANNA ARE MARINE BIOLOGISTS, AND SO THEY HAVE A REAL KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF--OF OUR FISH POPULATIONS, PARTICULARLY THE RED DRUM.

THEY'VE BOTH DONE STUDIES-- BEEN A PART OF STUDIES ON THE PAMLICO SOUND OVER THE YEARS FOR THE BIG RED DRUM, AND SO NOT ONLY DO THEY KNOW HOW TO CATCH FISH, BUT THEY KNOW THE FISH THEY CATCH.

AND SO IF YOU--IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A GOOD FISHING OPPORTUNITY, BOOK DOWN EAST GUIDE SERVICE AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH GEORGE.

WE CERTAINLY HAD A GOOD DAY.

WE DID.

FOR THE GUIDE'S DAY OFF.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANK YOU 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] ♪