[piano intro] - WOW.

- OOPS, LOST MINE.

HE BIT THE TAIL OFF.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO RE-LURE WHILE YOU GET THAT ONE IN.

LOOK AT HIM.

HE'S GOOD RIGHT THERE ON THE SURFACE.

- I'M THINKING WE'LL HAVE TO GO WITH ONE OF THOSE TOUGH TAIL.

AND YOU NEED--YOU'RE READY FOR THE NET, AREN'T YOU?

- YEAH, THIS IS SOME FUN ON THAT LIGHT TACKLE.

- YEAH.

YEAH, IT'S A LOT OF FUN... [LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ - [MALE ANNOUNCER] THE "CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL" IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] "WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE."

- [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.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NORTH CAROLINA VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

- HELLO, WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY, JOE, IT IS INLET BLUES.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT FISHING TWO DIFFERENT INLETS, ONE IN BARTON'S INLET UP AT CAPE LOOKOUT, AND THE OTHER AT BEAR INLET, WHICH IS JUST RIGHT OUT FROM SWANSBORO.

WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT CATCHING BLUEFISH, WHICH YOU CAN CATCH BLUEFISH AT ALL OF OUR INLETS.

THESE TWO, WE JUST KIND OF CUED IN ON TODAY.

BUT FISHING FOR A NICE LITTLE CLASS OF BLUEFISH, WHAT I CONSIDER THE BEST EATING SIZE OF BLUEFISH, USING SOFT BAITS PRIMARILY ON THE SECOND TRIP TO BEAR INLET.

ON THE FIRST TRIP, WE'RE GONNA BE USING A COMBINATION OF METAL STING SILVERS AND SOFT BAITS, AND CAUGHT SOME FISH.

- WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT DURING GEAR TIME.

THEN DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY FOR ISLAND SHRIMP, AND IT IS GOOD.

- SHE TELLS ME THIS IS A REALLY GOOD SUMMERTIME RECIPE.

SHE ACTUALLY BAKES THE SHRIMP AND THEN PREPARES THE SALAD.

AND SHE SAYS IT'S REALLY TASTY.

- WELL, WE GOT A LOT GOING ON TODAY, SO LET'S GO FISHING TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- I GOT MY DRAG ALL THE WAY TO THE-- THERE HE IS, ROBERT, RIGHT THERE.

MAN, THEY'RE ALL UP ON THE SURFACE.

WE'RE IN PROBABLY ABOUT-- IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT THREE OR FOUR FEET OF WATER AT MOST.

YOU CAN SEE THE SHELLS ON THE BOTTOM.

I JUST ABOUT GOT THIS ONE SET THERE.

HERE WE GO.

GET THE NET.

OH, HE'S GOT YOU, DOESN'T HE, ROBERT?

- YEAH, I GOT A GOOD ONE HERE, JIM.

- THAT'S A NICE LITTLE BLUE.

NICE SIZE ON THIS LIGHT TACKLE.

BOY, HE ATE THAT THING AS SOON AS IT HIT THE WATER.

SEE IF I CAN GET HIM OUT.

NICE FISH.

- THIS ONE'S TAKING IT OUT, JIM.

- HE'S GOT YOUR LINE.

THAT'S A NICE FISH, THOUGH, ROBERT.

LOOK AT HIM.

- YEAH, THAT'S AWESOME.

- PRETTY COUPLE POUND BLUEFISH.

- THAT IS AWESOME.

- LET HIM SWIM FOR ANOTHER DAY.

ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET MY HANDS WASHED OFF, SEE IF I CAN HOOKED UP HERE.

I MEAN, AS SOON AS THAT BAIT HIT THE WATER, HE WAS ALL OVER IT.

[laughs] THAT LIGHT TACKLE'S A LOT OF FUN, ISN'T IT?

- GOOD DAY OF FISHING.

- MIGHT HAVE TO TIGHTEN THAT DRAG JUST A LITTLE BIT.

[laughs] OH, YEAH.

LET ME GET THE NET FOR YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WATCH THAT MOUTH.

THAT'S A NICE LITTLE FISH THERE.

- YEAH, IT IS.

- YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU THROW THAT ONE IN THE LIVE WELL?

WE'LL EAT HIM FOR DINNER TONIGHT.

I LIKE FRESH BLUEFISH.

- SO DO I.

- PUT A COUPLE IN THERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE BLUEFISH.

YOU KNOW, I KIND OF LIKE THEM WHEN THEY'RE FRESH.

THEY DON'T FREEZE REAL WELL, BUT... SEE IF I CAN GET ONE OF THOSE BIG BOYS NOW.

THERE, WAS ONE JUST JUMPED OVER THERE.

THEY'RE UP HERE IN THIS SHALLOW WATER.

WE'RE IN ABOUT FOUR FEET OF WATER RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE CHANNEL.

BOY, HE HIT IT AS SOON AS IT HIT THE WATER WHEN YOU HIT HIM.

LOOK AT HIM.

- AS SOON AS IT HIT THE WATER.

OOH, THINK IT'S A NEW ONE TOO.

- OVER THERE.

YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GO AROUND THE BOAT WITH HIM.

- YEAH, HE'S A NICE ONE, JIM.

- [laughs] YOU GOT HIM NOW.

[laughs] - WOW.

- BOY, THEY LIKE THAT BRIGHT CHARTREUSE ONE, DON'T THEY?

LOOK AT THEM OUT THERE ON THE SURFACE.

I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND CATCH HIS BROTHER.

THERE HE IS.

OH, MISSED HIM.

OH, CAME BACK.

WELL, HE HIT RIGHT HERE AT THE BOAT.

[laughs] - YEP, SURE DID.

- WOW.

OH, LOST MINE.

HE BIT THE TAIL OFF.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO RE-LURE WHILE YOU GET THAT ONE IN.

LOOK AT HIM.

HE'S GOOD RIGHT THERE ON THE SURFACE.

I'M THINKING WE'LL HAVE TO GO WITH ONE OF THOSE TOUGH TAIL.

AND YOU NEED--YOU'RE READY FOR THE NET, AREN'T YOU?

- YEAH, THIS IS SOME FUN ON THAT LIGHT TACKLE.

- YEAH.

YEAH, IT'S A LOT OF FUN ON THAT REALLY LIGHT TACKLE.

NICE FISH.

- YES, HE IS.

- WATCH HIS TEETH.

HE'S GONNA GET YOUR-- HE'S GONNA GET YOU.

GET AHOLD OF HIM BEFORE YOU GET YOUR HAND DOWN THERE AROUND HIS MOUTH.

THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

THROW HIM IN THE LIVE WELL TOO.

WE'LL KEEP US A FEW, AND THEN WE'LL START RELEASING THEM AGAIN.

THAT'S YOUR ROD.

- RIGHT.

- I'M GONNA HAVE TO PUT ONE OF THOSE TOUGHER TAILS ON MY STUFF.

THEY'RE CHEWING MINE OFF.

- GOT ONE, JIM.

- ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.

YEAH, THAT BIRD FLEW OVER, AND HE HOOKED UP.

WE WERE WATCHING HIM ON THIS SIDE OF THE BOAT.

- SOON AS YOU SEE THEM BIRDS... - ROBERT'S GOT IT GOING ON TODAY.

BOY, YOU KEEP-- YOU'RE OUT-FISHING ME.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO WITH YOU.

- [chuckles] I'M TRYING TO BRING HOME SOME SUPPER.

- MAN, WE GOT A COUPLE FOR SUPPER.

WE'LL PROBABLY TURN THE NEXT FEW WE CATCH LOOSE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- YOU READY FOR THE NET?

- YES, SIR.

- GET HIM UP, MAN.

DID HE JUMP AT ALL?

I LIKE TO WATCH THEM WHEN THEY GET UP THERE AND JUMP.

NOW, HE'S ALL UNDER THE BOAT.

- OH, THERE HE IS.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

- ALL RIGHT, JIM.

- GET AHOLD OF HIM GOOD THERE, SO YOU'D WANT TO...

SO HE DIDN'T GET AHOLD OF YOU.

- I DON'T WANT HIM TO GET AHOLD OF ME.

- NO.

- HE'S GOT SOME GOOD TEETH.

- YEP.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

- IT IS.

- NICE CLASS FISH ON THIS TACKLE.

IT'S ALL YOU NEED.

- ALL RIGHT.

- NOW TURN HIM LOOSE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY THERE.

- YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

- WE'LL PROBABLY CATCH HIM AGAIN IN FIVE MINUTES.

- [chuckles] - OH, YOU GOT ANOTHER ONE RIGHT THERE AT THE BOAT.

LOOK AT HIM.

LOOK AT HIM RIGHT UNDERNEATH.

- HE'S RIGHT UNDER-- LOOK AT THEM FOLLOWING.

- YEAH, LOOK AT HIM.

- THE OTHER FISH ARE FOLLOWING.

- YEAH, THEY'LL-- THEY'RE TRYING TO TAKE WHATEVER HE'S GOT IN HIS MOUTH--WHOA!

- WHOA.

- THERE HE IS.

MISSED HIM AGAIN.

YEP, YOU CAN SEE HIM CUTTING THE WATER.

- ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.

- HE HIT RIGHT HERE AT THE BOAT.

GOOD JUMP.

[laughs] I LOVE BLUEFISH.

THEY FIGHT SO GOOD FOR THEIR SIZE, YOU KNOW?

- YEAH, THEY DO.

- IT'S A LOT OF FUN TO CATCH.

A GREAT--FISH TO COME OUT HERE AND TAKE THE KIDS ON, 'CAUSE THEY DON'T GET BORED.

- WHAT TYPE OF LURE ARE YOU USING NOW?

- OH, I GOT A LITTLE METAL ON THERE.

IT'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE STING SILVER.

AND I TOOK THE TREBLE HOOK OFF AND PUT A SINGLE ON JUST 'CAUSE IT'S EASIER TO UNHOOK THEM THAN IT IS WITH THAT TREBLE.

ALL RIGHT.

I'M READY FOR THE NET.

IN YOU GO.

GOOD JOB.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOOD JOB, JIM.

- NICE LITTLE-- - ANOTHER NICE FISH.

- RICKY, WE GOT A PRETTY DAY TODAY.

IT'S NOT VERY CALM, AND TO GET A DAY LIKE THIS WHERE IT'S NOON AND STILL LIGHT WINDS... - YEAH, ESPECIALLY HERE LATELY, IT'S BEEN BLOWING 25 EVERY DAY.

AND THIS HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF--ALMOST NOON, AND IT'S STILL--IT AIN'T EVEN FIVE MILES AN HOUR.

- YEAH, IT'S PERFECT CONDITIONS.

- OCEAN IS SLICK, CALM.

YOU CAN'T FISH THESE INLETS LIKE THIS EVERY DAY.

- NOT WITH A TROLLING MOTOR LIKE THIS, YOU CAN'T.

IT'S PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.

- TIDE COMING IN, EASE OUT, AND LET THE TIDE BRING YOU BACK.

- GOT BLUEFISH FIGHTING OVER YOUR BAIT.

- YEAH, THEY ARE.

SORRY THINGS.

THEY'RE DOWN THERE HUDDLED UP, THEY'RE HAVING A TEAM MEETING RIGHT NOW.

[both chuckle] - HOOKED UP.

I HEAR YOU, BOY.

NICE ONE.

ANOTHER GOOD-- - EASE OUT HERE, LITTLE FELLA.

THEY'LL BE WORKING THEIR WAY INSIDE.

- WELL, THE TIDE'S TURNING; THEY'RE STARTING TO COME IN WITH THE TIDE, WITH ALL THE BAIT.

ABOUT A TWO-POUNDER.

- NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

WORKED ON THAT GULP.

HE WANTS IT TOO.

- HE WANTS THAT-- [laughter] - HE KNOWS HOW MUCH THEY COST.

[laughter] - THAT $1.50-- GO, COME ON, NOW.

- OH!

THERE HE IS.

OH, SON.

LOOK AT THAT.

[laughs] OH, BABY.

EASY THERE.

JUMP ON IN THE BOAT.

[laughter] YOU SEE HIM TRY TO GO AFTER MY ANKLE?

- DOUBLE TROUBLE.

- I'M GLAD HE JUST ABOUT SPIT THAT OUT, ROBERT, 'CAUSE HE DIDN'T HURT IT, BUT HE WANTED TO.

- YES, SIR.

- THAT FISH STAYED OUT OF THE WATER THE WHOLE TIME.

- JUMPING LIKE A TARPON.

- THAT WAS A-- THAT WAS A DECENT SCHOOL OF FISH RIGHT THERE.

- YEAH.

- 'CAUSE HE WASN'T BY HISSELF.

- NO, DOUBLE TROUBLE.

- MAN.

I COULD GET USED TO THAT.

- [chuckles] WE'RE RIGHT ON THE BACK OF THIS SHOAL HERE.

- MM-HMM.

- MAYBE HIS BIG BROTHER WILL BE IN HERE TOO.

- THAT'S A GOOD HIT RIGHT THERE NOW.

HERE IN THAT-- THAT LITTLE SHOAL RIGHT THERE, WHERE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, ROBERT.

- YEP.

THAT'S A GOOD FISH THERE.

- HE SWALLOWED IT TOO, THOUGH.

OH, HE'S GONE.

[grunts] - BREAK OFF?

- HE DIDN'T CUT IT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT OFF.

UGH!

[sighs heavily] GOOD FISH TOO.

- YEAH, THAT WAS ABOUT A THREE-POUNDER THERE.

GOT A COUPLE WITH HIM, RICKY.

- YES, THERE IS.

TWO OR THREE WITH HIM, WASN'T THERE?

- YEAH, A NICE BLUEFISH.

- HE'S MAD AT THE WORLD TOO.

- OH, YEAH.

COME ON, NOW.

- WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT WHERE WE SAW HIM LAST.

BELIEVE THEY AIN'T HITTIN' THIS DIAMOND JIG.

- ABOUT A POUND AND A HALF, TWO POUNDS.

HE'S TRYING TO BITE SOMEBODY TOO.

- PRETTY FISH.

BE GONE.

THERE'S A COUPLE WITH HIM TOO.

- YEP.

- THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH.

THEY DON'T LIKE TO SHARE, DO THEY?

- IT WAS GOOD TO HIM.

- THEY DON'T LIKE TO SHARE.

- WATCH OUT, NOW.

OH, SON!

- OH!

THERE HE IS.

- TODAY'S A GOOD TIME, EH?

[laughs] - YEAH.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

- YES, IT IS.

- OH, LOOK AT HIM!

LOOK AT HIM WITH HIM.

- OH.

GOD, NOW, THIS IS A REAL NICE ONE.

- OH, THAT'S A PRETTY ONE.

KEEP HIM OFF THAT LEADER.

- RICKY MIGHT NEED TO GET A NET ON THAT ONE.

- WE LEFT A WIRE, WENT STRAIGHT TO-- OH!

DAH, JUST PULLED.

- THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

- MM!

AND SOMETIMES THAT'LL HAPPEN TO YOU, WON'T IT?

- OH, YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT, ROBBIE, WHAT'S THE SECRET?

BESIDES THAT GULP.

I KNOW THE GULP IS THE SECRET, BUT... - YEAH, IT'S PROBABLY HELPING A LITTLE BIT.

- USUALLY, YOU KNOW, I FISH KIND OF FAST FOR THESE BLUES, BUT YOU'RE KIND OF FINESSING YOURS.

- WELL, I'M JUST KIND OF BUMPING IT BACK TO THE BOAT, ACTUALLY, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD IF WE WERE TROUT FISHING RIGHT HERE.

JUST SLOWLY BUMPING IT BACK.

- MAKING HIM LOOK WOUNDED.

- MAKING HIM LOOK WOUNDED.

I GOT A 8,000 JIG HEAD ON THERE, SO IT'S NOT REALLY FALLING REAL FAST.

IT'S STAYING UP IN THE WATER COLUMN.

- JUST AN EASY KILL FOR 'EM.

- EASY JUST... - IT DOES LOOK RIGHT GOOD TOO.

- IT DOES, DON'T IT?

IT JUST KIND OF--SEE HOW IT JUST KIND OF SUSPENDS RIGHT IN THE WATER COLUMN?

- YEP.

- PERFECT.

- YEAH, YOU GOT TO PLAY WITH THE WEIGHTS OF THEM HEADS.

AND I GOT THE EXACT SAME ONE YOU DO NOW.

[laughter] - OOH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR RIGHT THERE.

- YES, IT IS.

- THAT'S A GOOD ONE THERE.

- THAT IS NICE.

GO ON BACK THERE WHERE YOU NEED TO GO.

IF I NEED TO CRANK UP, YELL AT ME.

- OH, YEAH.

- YOU GOT A LEADER ON THERE, DON'T YOU?

- YEAH.

AIN'T GOT NO WIRE ON THERE NOW, OF COURSE.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ONE WE WANT, THOUGH.

- GET THAT SKATE IN HERE.

- YEAH.

[both laugh] - IF THAT'S A BLUE, HE IS THE MAN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

- YEAH.

YEAH.

OH, WHAT DO WE GOT HERE?

IT'S EITHER SPANISH OR BLUE.

BIG OLD SPANISH.

BIG OLD SPANISH.

THIS IS SOMETHING VERY COMMON.

YOU CATCH THESE NICE SPANISH OUT HERE JUST MESSING WITH THESE BLUES.

- OH, YEAH.

WE SAW HIM HITTING BAIT.

KNEW IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

- AIN'T NO TELLING ABOUT THESE INLETS, WHAT YOU'RE GONNA CATCH.

- WHERE IS HE GOING?

BRING HIM UP HERE.

LET ME SEE HIM.

- THERE WE GO.

- OH, YEAH.

- OH, YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD-LOOKING FISH.

- YEAH, MAN, HE'S PROBABLY ABOUT A POUND AND A HALF, TWO POUNDS.

- YOU CATCH THEM MIXED UP IN THESE BLUES.

THEY'RE ALL EATING THE SAME THING.

- OH, YEAH.

- SO A GOOD ACCIDENT TO HAVE.

- IT'S A GOOD ACCIDENT TO HAVE THERE.

THAT'S A PRETTY SPANISH.

GOOD EATING SIZE.

I KNOW WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WITH HIM TONIGHT.

- PUT HIM IN THAT LIVE WELL.

MAYBE YOU'LL FORGET HIM AND I'LL TAKE HIM HOME.

- NO, NO.

[laughter] HE'S SHAKING.

- THERE'S A SMALL ONE HERE.

- ABOUT THE SMALLEST ONE.

- TAKE WHAT THE LORD'LL GIVE US, BUDDY.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

[grunts] - YOU DONE TALKED ABOUT HIM NOW.

- YEAH, HE DIDN'T LIKE THAT.

HE GOT MAD, DIDN'T HE?

- IF YOU WANT A GOOD FIGHT, THERE AIN'T NO BETTER THAN THE OLD BLUEHEAD.

- OH, ABOUT THE SMALLEST ONE OF THE DAY, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

- YEP.

YEAH, YOU CAN'T LOSE THEM.

- HE HIT IT LIKE A BIG ONE, THOUGH.

STILL NOT A BAD LITTLE FISH, THOUGH.

OOPS!

- NO, I'D BE TICKLED TO SEE ONE IN MY NET.

- [laughs] YOU GONNA BE MY NET MAN?

- I WILL BE.

YOU GET ONE UP HERE WORTH NETTING, I'LL PUT IT ON HIM.

- JOE, NO QUESTION: THAT'S WHERE YOU FIND THE BLUES.

- YOU DO, AND BECAUSE IT'S-- THE INLETS-- YOU HAVE THOSE TIDE CHANGES, AND SO IT'S CONSTANTLY BRINGING FOOD IN AND OUT, AND IT'S JUST A GOOD PLACE TO FIND THEM.

YOU COULD FIND THEM ON-- YOU KNOW, ALONG THE BEACHES, AND THEN IN THE SUMMERTIME, THEY'RE IN THE PAMLICO SOUND AND INSHORE WATERS TOO.

BUT THE INLETS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SPRINGTIME, IS A GREAT PLACE TO FIND THEM.

AND LIKE I SAID, THAT SIZE THAT WE CAUGHT THAT DAY, TO ME, IS-- IF YOU CLEAN 'EM FRESH, THEY'RE HARD TO BEAT ON THE TABLE.

- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TACKLE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- ROBBIE, WE'VE HAD A PRETTY GOOD MORNING THIS MORNING.

WE'VE CAUGHT SOME GOOD FISH.

LOST SOME GOOD ONES.

OR I DID.

- [laughs] - I THINK YOU DID GET CUT OFF ONE TIME.

BUT SOFT PLASTICS SEEM TO BE THE KILLER TODAY.

I WAS THROWING THAT OLD MUD MINNOW.

I THINK IT'S A MIRROLURE BRAND, BUT THEY EAT IT UP.

YEAH, YOU'RE GONNA GO THROUGH SOME SOFT PLASTICS.

- OH, YEAH.

- WHAT DID YOU CATCH YOURS ON?

- THE FIVE-INCH JERK SHAD BY GULP IN THE WHITE COLOR.

IT REALLY MIMICS THE GLASS MINNOWS, WHICH IS THE FORAGE OF THE BLUES AND THE SPANISH THAT WE GOT INTO.

I WAS USING THE 8,000 JIG HEAD AND KEPT THE BAIT KIND OF IN THE WATER, HIGHER THAN THE WATER COLUMN, WHERE THOSE MINNOWS ARE AT.

- THINK THAT'S WHAT COSTED ME.

I WAS THROWING A QUARTER, AND MINE WAS FALLING A LOT FASTER THAN YOURS.

PLUS, THE BODY OF THAT BAIT IS BIGGER, SO IT FELL SLOWER.

BUT IT PAYS TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, A COMBINATION OF DIFFERENT HEADS, 'CAUSE YOU DON'T EVER KNOW.

YOU KNOW, WE FISH SOME REAL FAST RUNNING WATER AND SOME SLICK CALM WATER, SO... - OH, YEAH.

- YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO MIX IT UP.

AND HOW ABOUT THE LEADER THERE?

WHAT DID YOU HAVE?

- PRETTY MUCH RUNNING-- WE STARTED OUT WITH WIRE, 'CAUSE WE HAD BEEN CATCHING SOME REALLY NICE BIG, BIG BLUEFISH.

THE FISH WERE A LITTLE LEADER-SHY THIS MORNING, SO WE WENT TO JUST A STRICT 30-POUND FLUOROCARBON LEADER.

YOU KNOW, IT'S GOTTEN SHORTER AS THEY BIT US OFF.

BUT WE STARTED OUT WITH ABOUT 2 1/2 FOOT.

- AND THOSE BIG BLUES, YOU'RE NOT GONNA CATCH EVERY ONE YOU HOOK.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO FLUOROCARBON, YOU'RE GONNA GET CUT OFF, BUT THAT'S PART OF IT.

THE BAD PART, BUT YOU'RE GONNA LOSE SOME.

- IT'S BETTER TO GET BITES THAN NOT GET ANY AT ALL.

I LIKE THE CHANCE AT LEAST.

I'M USING--THIS IS ACTUALLY 30-POUND BRAIDED LINE.

THIS IS A REAL OUTDOORS SEVEN-FOOT MEDIUM ROD.

AND A QUANTUM BOCA 30 REEL.

- OH, YEAH, YOU CAN BREAK THEM DOWN WITH THAT.

- YEAH, IT'S A PRETTY UNIVERSAL ROD.

I USE IT FOR ALL SPECIES, BUT IT WORKS VERY GOOD FOR CASTING THESE PLASTICS TO THESE BLUEFISH.

- AND I'LL TELL YOU THAT MY OLD SAME OLD ROD I USED TO CATCH THE TROUT ON, JUST A 6'6" MEDIUM ACTION.

YOU DON'T NEED, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING-- YOU NEED A LOT OF LINE SOMETIMES, BECAUSE IF YOU HOOK A 10-POUNDER, HE'S GOING PLACES.

- YES, SOME OF THE FISH WE'VE BEEN RUNNING INTO UP THERE IN THE 10- TO 12-, MAYBE 15-POUND RANGE.

THEY'RE GONNA GO ON SOME RUNS, SO YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT HOLDS SOME LINE.

- YEP, A GOOD 150 YARDS.

- YOU MATCH THE TACKLE TO WHAT YOU'RE CATCHING, IT'LL MAKE FOR A FUN DAY; IT REALLY WILL.

- YOU MIGHT HAVE TO CHASE ONE OR TWO.

THAT SPANISH YOU HOOKED-- YOU KNOW, WE CAUGHT THAT SPANISH, AND HE WAS--HE PUT UP A SHOW THERE FOR A MINUTE.

- OH, YEAH.

- BUT YOU DON'T EVER KNOW WHEN YOU'RE THROWING, YOU KNOW, SOFT PLASTICS.

LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE BAIT THAT'S SWIMMING, EVERYTHING LOVES TO EAT IT FROM TROUT TO SPANISH TO BIG BLUES.

- OH, YEAH.

AS YOU KNOW, WE--YOU KNOW, AS WE'RE TROUT FISHING IN THE FALL, I MEAN, YOU CATCH A LOT OF BLUEFISH IN THE SAME SPOTS, OUT BY THESE INLETS.

- YEP, AND THE HARD BAITS, THE DIAMOND JIGS-- JUST A VARIETY OF STUFF YOU CAN THROW FOR THEM, YOU KNOW.

- OH, YEAH.

- BUT ENJOYED THE DAY.

I'M GLAD YOU HAD AN OPENING TO GET IT IN.

WE COULDN'T HAVE HAD A PRETTIER DAY.

- NO, SIR.

I ENJOYED IT AS WELL.

- SO INVITE ME BACK, AND WE'LL GO AGAIN.

- LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THANK YOU.

- THANKS, GUYS, FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

IF YOU WANT TO GO FISHING FOR THE BLUES, CALL THIS NUMBER YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S GOT AN OUTSTANDING RECIPE TODAY.

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

IT IS A GREAT RECIPE, AND IT BRINGS JUST SUMMERTIME TO LIFE FOR YOU.

SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE THIS GREAT SHRIMP I'VE CUT INTO BITE-SIZED PIECES.

I'M MARINATING IT IN SOME ORANGE JUICE, LIME JUICE, AND LEMON JUICE, SO IT-- AND I'M ONLY GONNA MARINATE IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

YOU DON'T NEED TO MARINATE ANY LONGER THAN THAT, OR IT'LL START TO BREAK DOWN YOUR SHRIMP, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU WANT.

SO I'VE GOT THIS MARINATING.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR BOLD AND ZESTY BAKE, AND WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT HERE ON SOME WAX PAPER.

AND THIS IT GONNA GIVE IT SOME NICE SPICE AS WELL AS, YOU'RE GONNA TASTE THE GREAT CITRUS FLAVORS.

SO WE HAVE THIS ON OUR WAX PAPER, I'M TAKING OUR SHRIMP, AND WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE IT ON THE BREADER, AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA COAT IT, OR TOSS IT UNTIL IT'S ALL COATED.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT ON A BAKING SHEET, WHICH WE HAVE LINED WITH A NONSTICK FOIL.

OR IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN JUST USE FOIL AND SPRAY IT WITH A NONSTICK SPRAY, 'CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY CLEANUP WHEN I'M DONE.

I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND ENJOY MY SALAD.

SO WE'RE GO AHEAD AND FISH ALL THOSE OUT.

I'M GONNA PUT THAT ASIDE.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS THIS TILL IT'S ALL COATED.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT ON OUR BAKING SHEET, AND WE'RE GONNA BAKE IT IN A 350-DEGREE OVEN FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AT THE MOST.

YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERCOOK YOUR SHRIMP, BECAUSE THEN IT'LL BE ALL DRY.

SO WE'RE GONNA TOSS IT, SHAKE OFF THE EXCESS, AND PLACE IT ON OUR BAKING SHEET.

SO THIS IS A QUICK AND EASY RECIPE.

YOU CAN DO THIS WHEN YOU GET HOME FROM WORK, OR IF YOU'VE HAD A LONG DAY OUT ON THE WATER AND YOU WANT SOMETHING FROM-- YOU WANT TO COOK YOUR CATCH, YOU CAN DO THAT.

IT'S GREAT, QUICK, AND EASY.

WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THAT ASIDE.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA MAKE OUR SALAD.

SO WHILE THIS IS BAKING, WE'RE GONNA MAKE OUR SALAD.

WE HAVE--IN HERE, I HAVE SOME FINELY SLICED RADISHES.

AND YOU CAN USE RADISHES.

YOU CAN USE JICAMA IF YOU LIKE THAT.

AND YOU CAN FIND IT IN YOUR STORE, YOU CAN USE THAT AS WELL.

IT'D BE A GREAT INGREDIENT.

WE HAVE SOME FRESH AVOCADO, SOME FRESH ASIAN MANGO, WHICH I LIKE BETTER THAN THE OTHER MANGO.

USE WHATEVER YOU LIKE.

SOME CILANTRO AND SOME THINLY SLICED AND CHOPPED RED ONION.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS ALL THAT TOGETHER.

YOU CAN SEE, IT'S GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL COLOR GOING ON IN THERE, WHICH I LOVE.

WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME SEA SALT TO THIS, SOME FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER.

WE'RE GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF OLIVE OIL.

AND IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE LIME JUICE, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE GOOD IN HERE AS WELL IF YOU WANT A LITTLE BIT MORE FLAVOR.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS ALL THAT TOGETHER.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT IN A BOWL, TOP IT WITH OUR SHRIMP, AND WE'RE READY TO GO.

YOU CAN PUT THIS IN THE FRIDGE, CHILL IT DOWN IF YOU WANT, AND THEN TOP IT WITH YOUR WARM SHRIMP.

GREAT COMBINATION.

SO THIS IS WHAT IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE.

WE HAVE ALL THE GREAT FLAVORS, THE TEXTURES.

YOU'VE GOT THE CRUNCHY AND ZESTINESS OF THE BREADER WITH THE CITRUS, YOU KNOW, FLAVORED SHRIMPS, AND ALL OF THE GREAT CRUNCHY VEGETABLES IN HERE.

IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT MEAL.

ENJOY.

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

- THANKS, DONNA.

ANOTHER OUTSTANDING RECIPE.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK.

WE HAD TWO GOOD DAYS OF FISHING.

- WE REALLY DID.

AND AGAIN, TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

JUST SHOWING--ILLUSTRATING, YOU KNOW, THE GOOD BLUEFISHING THAT YOU COULD HAVE AT EITHER ONE OF THE INLETS.

NORTH CAROLINA'S COAST HAS GOT, YOU KNOW, THE 300 MILES OF COASTLINE.

WE'VE GOT NUMEROUS INLETS.

OREGON INLET TO THE NORTH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CAPE FEAR.

AND ALL THESE INLETS HOLD FISH-- HOLD BLUEFISH.

AND CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR ARE BETTER.

SPRING AND FALL, WHEN YOU HAVE THE TRANSFER OF BAIT FISH FROM THE SOUNDS TO THE OCEAN AND VICE VERSA, THEY SEEM TO BE MORE ABUNDANT, BECAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF FOOD THERE, SO THEY'RE DRAWN TO THE FOOD.

BUT YOU CAN CATCH THEM IN THE SURF.

YOU CAN CATCH THEM ON THE PIERS.

BUT FOR THE SMALL BOAT OWNER, WATCHING YOUR WEATHER-- AGAIN, THESE INLETS CAN GET NASTY AT TIMES WHEN THE WEATHER'S REALLY, REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY THE WIND AND THE TIDE MOVEMENTS-- SEE, ALL THAT PLAYS TOGETHER.

JUST, YOU GOT TO WATCH YOUR CONDITIONS.

BUT IT IS A READILY AVAILABLE FISHERY AND JUST LOTS OF FUN.

- WE HAD TWO GOOD DAYS OF IT.

- WE REALLY DID.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: "WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA" MAGAZINE.

- [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.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NORTH CAROLINA VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

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