[gentle orcestral fanfare] - ON KIND OF EASY, THOUGH.

TELL ME THAT'S A FLOUNDER, NOT ANOTHER PUPPY DRUM.

HE'S STAYING DOWN PRETTY GOOD.

- YEAH, THIS FEEL LIKE A FLOUNDER.

- GOT YOUR ROD BENT GOOD NOW.

WORK HIM, BOY.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

OH, YEAH, THAT'S A NICE ONE TOO.

NICE ONE.

NICE ONE.

- OH, YEAH.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT THERE NOW.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING.

- MM-HMM.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING.

GOOD JOB.

- [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.

WELL, IF YOU LIKE FLOUNDER AND YOU LIKE FISHING FOR FLOUNDER, I THINK YOU'RE GONNA LIKE TODAY'S SHOW BECAUSE WE'RE HEADED DOWN TO THE INLETS.

AND JOE, IT IS ALL ABOUT FLOUNDER TODAY.

- IT IS ALL ABOUT FLOUNDER, AND WE'RE GONNA BE FISHING ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR DESTINATIONS FOR FLOUNDER IN NORTH CAROLINA.

IT HAS BEEN THROUGH THE YEARS.

IT'S DRUM INLET.

WE'VE GOT INLETS STRETCHED UP AND DOWN THE COAST.

WE GOT A LOT OF INLETS, AND THEY ALL TEND TO HAVE GOOD NUMBERS OF FLOUNDER.

FLOUNDER LIKE INLETS BECAUSE THERE'S A FLOW OF WATER ON INLETS-- YOU KNOW, ON THE CHANGE OF TIDES THAT BRINGS FOOD ACROSS THE BOTTOM.

AND OF COURSE, FLOUNDERS LAY ON THE BOTTOM AND THAT'S HOW THEY CATCH THEIR FOOD COMING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THEM.

AND WE--THAT'S JUST A GOOD PLACE TO FISH FOR THEM.

TODAY WE OPTED TO GO WITH PLASTICS INSTEAD OF LIVE BAIT.

FLOUNDER FISHERMEN WILL TELL YOU LIVE MULLET WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST BAITS FOR THEM, BUT WE OPTED TO GO PLASTICS AND ENDED UP CATCHING SOME NICE FLOUNDER.

- NOW, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE GEAR IN GEAR TIME, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DONNA'S RECIPE TODAY.

IT'S ONE OF OUR FAVORITES.

IT'S CRAB CAKES.

- REALLY IS.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN PREPARE CRABS ANY NUMBER OF WAYS, AND THERE'S NUMBERS OF CRAB CAKE RECIPES.

SHE TELLS ME THIS ONE IS A REAL SPECIAL ONE, SO IF YOU LIKE CRABS, GRAB A PENCIL AND PAPER AND GET READY.

- WE'VE GOT A LOT GOING ON, SO LET'S GET TO IT RIGHT HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- GENE, EARLY FALL LIKE THIS IS TIME TO CATCH A NICE FLOUNDER.

- YES, SIR, BUDDY.

LOOK AT HERE.

- I BELIEVE THAT WAS A PUPPY DRUM, WASN'T IT?

- I DON'T KNOW.

AHH.

HE LET GO, WHATEVER IT IS.

- EARLY FALL OUT HERE, THE INLET'S THE PRIME PLACE FOR US TO CATCH A BIG FLOUNDER, WHICH IS HOPEFULLY WHAT WE'RE AFTER.

BUT IF WE CATCH ENOUGH TO EAT, THAT'LL BE GOOD.

- OH, YEAH.

YOU AIN'T KIDDING.

I WISH THAT WAS A FLOUNDER THAT STAYED ON.

BOY, HE'S COMING BACK FOR ME.

I'M HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING THOSE THINGS ON, I'LL TELL YOU.

- THE SHALLOW WATER ALL OUT HERE IN THIS ONE CHANNEL ALONG THIS BANK, JUST A PRIME PLACE FOR US.

THE CURRENT POURS THROUGH HERE, SO WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH IT RIGHT AT HIGH TIDE, FISH A LITTLE BIT BEFORE DURING SLACK TIDE AND THEN WHEN IT STARTS FALLING.

- WELL, I TELL YOU, I'VE NEVER BEEN OUT HERE BEFORE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUT HERE, YOU KNOW, I TELL YOU THAT.

NOW, YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE WATER'S JUST NOT CLEAR ENOUGH.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THAT?

- I DON'T KNOW, IT'S JUST THAT THE CLARITY DOESN'T LOOK ALL THAT GOOD TO ME.

- NOW, WE'RE FISHING IN WHAT?

FIVE FOOT OF WATER, SIX FOOT OF WATER HERE?

- I'D SAY IT'S SIX FOOT HERE RIGHT OUT ABOUT 50 YARDS TO WHERE THAT-- YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT'S STARTING TO SHOAL UP THERE.

BEFORE LONG, IT'LL BE LIKE THIS IS ALMOST A CREEK RUNNING THROUGH HERE 'CAUSE ALL THAT'LL BE-- LOOK LIKE A DESERT OUT THERE.

- GOOD LANDS.

YOU GOT ONE THERE, KURT.

LITTLE, THERE YOU GO, LITTLE FLOUNDER.

LITTLE ONE.

I THINK.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT THERE, DUDE.

WHAT IS HE, ABOUT 12 INCHES?

- NOT QUITE UP TO SCALE, BUT THAT'S A GOOD START.

- YEAH, IT IS A GOOD START.

GOOD START.

YOU GET IT RIGHT THERE.

GOOD DEAL.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND MAMA AND DADDY.

FEELS LIKE A FLOUNDER RIGHT THERE NOW.

IT--NO, IT'S A PUPPY DRUM.

- I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, BOY, WE IN THE PUPPY DRUMS' HOME OVER HERE.

I'M GONNA TELL YOU WHAT.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

THEY GIVE US A GOOD FIGHT, THOUGH.

I'LL TELL YOU THAT.

IT'S FUN.

OH, YEAH.

OH, YEAH.

COME ON, BABY.

COME ON, NOW.

ALL RIGHT.

- THE HOOK IN THAT BANK RIGHT DOWN HERE WHERE THIS CURRENT'S RUNNING OUT OF THE OCEAN ON IT.

- RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THAT POINT RIGHT THERE THREW IT BACK OVER THERE AND JUST WORKING THE EDGE OF THIS DOWN HERE RIGHT AFTER YOU CAUGHT THE LAST ONE-- WHOA, NOW.

AND HE HIT RIGHT THERE.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

THEY'RE STRONG AS THEY CAN BE, AREN'T THEY?

THAT LAST ONE, I BARELY GOT MY HAND AROUND HIM.

LOOK AT THAT TAIL.

- INTERESTING HOW THEY'RE SILVER LIKE THAT INSTEAD OF THE BRONZE, AREN'T THEY?

- THEY ARE.

- I TELL YOU, IT'S AMAZING.

SEE THAT?

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL RIGHT THERE, ISN'T IT?

THAT'S A GOOD-LOOKING FISH.

EVERY ONE OF THEM'S HEALTHY TOO.

FOUND ONE THAT'S THIN AT ALL.

HE'S COMING ON KIND OF EASY, THOUGH.

TELL ME THAT'S A FLOUNDER, NOT ANOTHER PUPPY DRUM.

HE'S STAYING DOWN PRETTY GOOD.

- YEAH, THIS FEEL LIKE A FLOUNDER.

- GOT YOUR ROD BENT GOOD NOW.

WORK HIM, BOY.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

OH, YEAH, THAT'S A NICE ONE TOO.

NICE ONE.

NICE ONE.

- OH, YEAH.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT THERE NOW.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING.

- MM-HMM.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING.

GOOD JOB, SON.

- HE'S PROBABLY 18 INCHES MAYBE NOT QUITE.

NICE FISH, THOUGH.

- HE'S RIGHT AT IT, THOUGH.

I TELL YOU, THAT'S NICE.

KNOW ONE THING, HE'S WORKING YOUR ROD.

HE GOT YOU BREATHING PRETTY GOOD, DON'T IT?

- I'M JUST EXCITED.

OOPS.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

HE WON'T GIVE UP NOW, WILL HE?

HE'S AS BAD INSIDE THE BOAT AS HE IS OUTSIDE.

THERE YOU GO RIGHT THERE.

CAN YOU GET THAT OUT?

I THOUGHT HE SWALLOWED IT DEEPER THAN THAT.

- YOU RECKON THAT'S A SUMMER OR A SOUTHERN FLOUNDER?

- OH, DEFINITELY A SOUTHERN FLOUNDER.

AIN'T NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

- COULD BE BOTH, RIGHT?

- YEAH.

THAT'S A NICE FISH THERE, THOUGH.

I NOTICE EVERY TIME YOU SET THE HOOK, YOU JUST-- IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FISH OR YOU GET ONE OR YOU MISS IT OR SOMETHING, YOU JUST LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE.

AND THEN BUMP IT A LITTLE BIT LIKE THAT RIGHT THERE.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

- A LOT OF TIMES, THAT FLOUNDER WILL FOLLOW THE BAIT.

HE MIGHT HAVE IT A LITTLE BIT, JUST BY THE TAIL OR SOMETHING, YOU PULL IT UP, THAT FLOUNDER'S STILL GONNA BE IN THAT VICINITY.

IF YOU JUST KIND OF EASE IT ON A LITTLE BIT, A LOT OF TIMES, THEY'LL FALL RIGHT BACK ON THAT THING.

- HE WON'T SPOOK AND RUN OFF?

- HE WON'T SPOOK AND RUN OFF.

HE'LL KIND OF STAY IN THAT VICINITY.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, I'VE BEEN FISHING WHEN YOU CAN ALMOST PULL THE FLOUNDER-- YOU HAVE A COUPLE BITES AND THE FLOUNDER WILL FOLLOW YOU A LITTLE WAYS AND FOLLOW YOU A WAYS.

WON'T BE LONG, YOU'LL HOOK HIM UP RIGHT HERE AT THE BOAT WHERE HE'S FOLLOWED YOUR BAIT UP THERE SEVERAL TIMES, YOU KNOW?

- I NEED TO LEAVE IT IN THE WATER LONGER, THEN.

'CAUSE I GET ABOUT 20 YARDS OUT THERE, AND I'M BRINGING IT RIGHT ONTO THE BOAT.

OH, GOOD.

I GOT ONE RIGHT BESIDE THE BOAT LIKE YOU JUST SAID.

- PRETTY CLOSE, WASN'T HE?

- HE WAS.

OH, THERE YOU GO.

THERE YOU GO.

SEE HIM RIGHT THERE?

THERE YOU GO.

LOOK AT HIM.

[grunts] THAT'S A NICE CLASS OF FISH THERE.

- OH, YES.

HE WAS RIGHT CLOSE TO THE BOAT TOO, WASN'T HE?

- HE WAS RIGHT THERE LIKE YOU JUST SAID.

LIKE YOU-- I JUST-- - A LOT OF TIMES, THEY'LL SEE YOUR BAIT AND KIND OF FOLLOW IT MAYBE SIX FEET AND NOT GET ON IT GOOD AND NEXT TIME YOU CAST, FOLLOW IT A LITTLE MORE.

NICE FISH, GENE.

- THAT'S AWESOME, MAN.

THANK YOU, BUDDY.

GOOD NET JOB.

[grunts] LET'S GET THAT BAIT OUT OF YOUR FACE.

AND IN THE LIVE WELL.

- WASN'T I JUST TALKING ABOUT MOVING?

- YEAH.

- MOVING WHERE?

TO WHERE YOU WERE STANDING.

[both laugh] OH, YEAH.

DON'T GO NOWHERE.

JUST STAY RIGHT THERE.

LOOK AT THAT.

- OH, LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT NOW, I'M COMING TO THAT SIDE.

KURT?

THIS IS NOT THE BIGGEST ONE IN THE WORLD, BUT-- - BUT THEY EAT GOOD.

- YEAH, I BELIEVE WE WILL.

- NICE FISH.

- OH, YEAH.

- GOT A BULLET HOLE IN HIM, HASN'T HE?

- YEAH, SOMETHING GOING ON THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL IS.

NICE GOOD- LOOKING-- - OH!

OOPS.

JUMPING RIGHT IN MY FACE HERE IN A SECOND.

CHECK THAT OUT.

HOLD NOW.

I HAD ONE OF YOU RASCALS BITE ME ONE TIME.

THAT DON'T FEEL TOO GOOD.

- CAN'T GET YOUR FINGER OUT.

THEIR TEETH GO BACK AT AN ANGLE.

- THAT'S TRUE.

WELL, YOU KNOW, HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

I TOLD ME A LIE ABOUT THAT FINGER BEING GONE.

THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THEM.

I GOT--I HAD A FISH RIGHT HERE AT THE BOAT.

- DID YOU?

- THAT'S WHERE I CAUGHT THIS ONE.

RIGHT BEHIND THE BOAT DOWN HERE.

I WAS JUST KIND OF JIGGING UP AND DOWN THERE.

IT'S ALL THOSE BAIT FISH MOVING.

- WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH HIS BELLY?

- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL IS.

LOOK AT THAT.

YOU DON'T RECKON A PROP MIGHT HAVE A GOT HIM OR SOMETHING, DO YOU?

SOMETHING HIT HIM?

- NO TELLING.

- I DON'T KNOW.

LET'S SEE HERE.

I'D SAY THAT FISH IS 16 INCHES, ISN'T HE?

WELL, NO, 15.

- OH.

- 15 ANYWAYS.

KEEPER?

- I THINK SO.

EAT WELL.

- YOU KNOW, WE CATCH A FEW FISH TO EAT.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

SOUNDS GOOD.

- THAT'S A NICE FISH, HUH?

THAT MIGHT BE--THAT MUST BE A FLOUNDER OVER THERE, STAYING DOWN.

HE'S STAYING DOWN, AND BOUND TO BE A GOOD ONE TOO.

- IT IS.

IT'S A BIG ONE.

- PULL AND DRAG, AND I HEAR THAT GAL TALKING NOW.

LOOK AT THAT.

UH-OH.

LET ME GET MYSELF DOWN A LITTLE BIT HERE.

- I'M WORRIED ABOUT HIM CUTTING OFF.

WE'RE IMPRESSED.

IT'S A NICE FISH HERE, I'M SURE.

- I CAN'T--OH.

YEAH, I SEE HIM.

YEAH, I SEE YOU NOW.

OH, YEAH, HE'S NICE.

HE IS DEFINITELY NICE.

COME ON, BABY, COME ON HERE.

THERE YOU GO.

- MM-HMM!

- GOOD JOB, MAN.

- THANK YOU.

- I TELL YOU.

LOOK AT HERE.

LOOK AT THAT FISH THERE NOW.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

NOW YOU IN THE HONEY HOLE, AIN'T YOU?

ONCE YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON HIM, I'M GONNA PUT MY BAIT THERE WHERE YOU WAS AT.

JUST CLAMP DOWN.

I'LL TELL YOU, IT'S TOUGH TO GET UP ON THERE WHEN HE CLAMPS DOWN LIKE THAT, ISN'T IT?

GOLL, LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S JUST--THAT MUST BE A SISTER TO THE OTHER ONE OR SOMETHING.

- HE'S NOT HUGE, BUT THAT'S A NICE FLOUNDER, ISN'T IT?

- YOU NEED THIS?

- YEAH, I GOT MINE HERE.

- OKAY.

- I'M GONNA CHECK THAT LINE WHEN IT COMES OUT.

- YOU SHOULD.

LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THOSE TEETH THERE, MAN.

- LOOK AT THE SIZE OF HIS MOUTH.

- LET ME SEE HERE.

- WILL YOU DO ME A FAVOR-- - I'LL HOLD HIM OPEN.

YEAH, PLEASE DO.

I SEE IT.

- YOU SEE IT?

- I SEE THE HOOK.

- OKAY.

- GOOD JOB, MAN.

GOOD JOB.

GREAT FISH.

- YEAH.

- GREAT FISH.

- THAT'S WHAT WE CAME AFTER.

WE'LL CATCH A BIGGER ONE THAN THAT.

- A BIGGER ONE IN A MINUTE?

- YEAH.

- HE'S NICE THERE.

I'LL TELL YOU.

- ALL RIGHT.

- WELL... - KURT, I APPRECIATE YOU INVITING ME OUT HERE TODAY, MAN.

I KNOW THAT YOU WERE HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS HOTTER THAN BLAZES, DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?

- YEAH, I CAME DOWN HERE WITH JOHNNY HAUSER.

HE GUIDES DOWN HERE SOME.

- UH-HUH.

- AND IT WAS JUST--WE FIGURED IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME OF YEAR, WHICH IT WAS, BUT THE FALL COMING IN WAS LATE, AND IT WAS HOTTER THAN BLAZES THAT DAY.

AND WE CAUGHT SOME FISH, BUT IT WAS JUST-- I WOULDN'T GO RIGHT TO MISERABLE, BUT IT WAS HOT.

AND I'VE BEEN WANTING, EVER SINCE THEN KIND OF WAIT AND TRY AND CATCH SOME OF THESE FALL FISH.

A LITTLE BETTER CLASS, LIKE WE'RE CATCHING TODAY.

- YEAH.

- AND I HAVE HOPES OF REALLY CATCHING A DOOR MAT FOR US TODAY 'CAUSE WE'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME, YOU KNOW, - I TELL YOU WHAT.

AGAIN, I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING ME OUT 'CAUSE THIS IS GREAT, YOU KNOW?

IT'S A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO FISH IN 75-, 80-DEGREE WEATHER THAN IT IS IN 105-DEGREE WEATHER.

- IT'S COMFORTABLE, PLUS THE FISH ARE MOVING BETTER.

WE CAUGHT SOME PRETTY FLOUNDER TODAY.

- THAT WE HAVE.

THAT WE HAVE.

NICE.

LEARNED A LITTLE BIT FROM YOU TOO.

- MM.

- OH, BOY.

NOW, THIS IS FISHING, SON.

THIS IS FISHING.

I LIKE THIS.

- IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO TARGET A FISH AND CATCH A NICE CLASS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO-- - OH, YEAH.

I TELL YOU WHAT.

THIS IS A STRONG LITTLE FISH HERE.

- TAKE IT EASY ON HIM, HE'S-- - I TELL YOU, THIS--HAVEN'T SEEN HIM YET, BUT HE SURE FEELS GOOD.

YOU SEE THE BAIT FISH MOVING OUT OF HIS WAY.

OH, I SEE-- - OH.

LOOK AT THERE, YES, SIR.

- HE'S PERFECT.

- I BETTER LET THAT DRAG OFF JUST A LITTLE BIT.

- I'VE GOT MINE SET PRETTY LOOSE, BUT AS YOU-- - OH, MAN, THAT'S A DOOR MAT THERE.

- NOW IS A BAD TIME TO BE MESSING WITH A-- - LOOK AT THAT.

COME BACK HERE, BABY.

COME ON BACK NOW.

COME ON.

- DON'T LET HIM STOP IN THE WATER AND SHAKE THAT HEAD.

- I'M TRYING MY BEST NOT TO, BUT HE'S ACTUALLY IN CONTROL RIGHT NOW; I'M NOT.

- GET--THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD JOB.

- MM-HMM!

- GOOD JOB, MAN.

THAT'S AWESOME.

- THAT'S A NICE FLOUNDER THERE, GENE.

- THAT IS A NICE FLOUNDER.

LOOK HOW BIG HIS MOUTH OPENS UP LIKE A BASS.

- HE CAN EAT WHAT HE WANTS TO EAT.

- I CAN'T EVEN HOLD HIM OPEN.

- THAT'S NOT EVEN HALF OPEN.

NOW LOOK AT THAT.

I'VE CAUGHT FLOUNDER THIS SIZE THAT HAD CROAKERS AND THINGS IN THEM, YOU KNOW, 8 INCHES LONG.

- [whistles] WELL, I KNOW ONE THING.

THEY EAT THESE LITTLE SHRIMP-LIKE THINGS WE GOT.

- THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE IN THE FALL.

CATCH A NICE FLOU-- GET HIM IN THERE.

I KNOW I'M CUTTING INTO YOUR FISHING TIME.

I DON'T MEAN TO DO THAT.

I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

I DO INDEED.

LET'S GET-- OH, MAN.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

THAT'S SWEET THERE.

YES, SIR.

THANK YOU, BUDDY.

I APPRECIATE THE HELP.

WHAT'S THAT NOISE OVER THERE?

OH, THAT'S HOW COME YOU'RE HOOKING ALL THOSE FISH.

- SHOOT.

NO, ACTUALLY, THAT HOOK HAD A BURR.

I CHECKED IT BEFORE I PUT MY BAIT ON IT; IT HAD A BURR ON THE END AND-- I'M GONNA MAKE SURE I GOT A-- THESE ARE YOURS.

I PICKED THEM OFF THE GROUND.

- NO PROBLEM.

NO PROBLEM.

- I APPRECIATE IT.

- YES, SIR.

- I HATE TO FISH WITH A DULL HOOK.

- WELL, IT DON'T PAY, NOT OUT HERE.

- FISH ON.

I BELIEVE IT IS, GENE.

WE AIN'T GOT MUCH ACTION.

LET ME GET THIS MESS IN HERE.

OH, I HAVEN'T FELT HIM SHAKE HIS HEAD YET, WHATEVER WE GOT GOING ON THERE.

BUT IT'S NOT--YEAH, IT'S FISH.

HADN'T COME UP-- - SPECKLED?

- HADN'T COME--NO.

I MEAN-- I LIKE THE WAY YOU'RE THINKING.

WELL, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT SPECKLED TROUT.

HE HADN'T COME UP IN THE WATER COLUMN.

SO HE'LL PROBABLY BE-- I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S TAKING-- - OH, YEAH.

- FLOUNDER.

FLOUNDER.

- YEAH, I KNOW IT'S A FLOUNDER.

FLOUNDER.

GOOD FISH.

- OH, YEAH.

YEAH, GOOD FISH.

YOU GOT HIM; HE GOT YOU?

- I'M TAKING IT EASY ON HIM, BUDDY.

- I UNDERSTAND.

I UNDERSTAND.

HE'S UP.

- THERE YOU GO.

THERE YOU GO.

- WELL, GOOD FISH.

HE'S NOT AS BIG AS WHAT WE'VE BEEN CATCHING-- - I'M NOT COMPLAINING.

WE'LL TAKE HIM.

- NOW, HOLD ON A SECOND.

NOW, THIS ONE'S GOT DARKER SPOTS ON HIM.

- HE MUST HAVE BEEN LAYING ON A BLACK SPOT ON THE BOTTOM.

- LOOK AT THAT MOUTH.

EVEN THE SMALL ONES GOT BIG MOUTHS, DON'T THEY?

NOW, THAT'S NOT A SMALL ONE IN OUR BOOK.

[indistinct speech] TELL YOU WHAT.

THERE'S NOT-- YOU NEED-- YOU NEED... A DENTIST.

- GOT HIM.

GOOD DEAL.

OKAY, LET ME GET BACK OUT OF YOUR HOLE THERE.

HE'S A KEEPER FOR SURE, ISN'T HE?

HE'S A KEEPER FOR SURE, ISN'T HE?

- YEAH, OH, YEAH.

HE'S A NICE FISH.

I'M SORRY THAT I WON'T STAND AROUND LOOKING AT YOU, BUT I'M TRYING TO CATCH ANOTHER-- - THANK YOU.

- JOE, WE HAD A GOOD DAY OF FISHING, BUT YOU LET THAT TIDE CHANGE, AND IT GETS INTERESTING WITH ARTIFICIAL BAIT.

- IT DOES.

THE SPEED-- AS THE TIDE INCREASES ITS SPEED GOING OUT OR COMING IN, YOU HAVE TO GO HEAVIER WITH THE JIG HEADS, AND AT SOME POINT, IT GETS TOO FAST AND YOU-- IN THE CASE OF DRUM INLET, THAT DAY, IT'S UNFISHABLE.

SO YOU HAVE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO FISH THOSE.

AND WE HAD A PRETTY DAY, AS YOU COULD SEE.

AND JUST--YOU KNOW, IT'S-- IT'S A REAL EFFECTIVE WAY OF CATCHING FLOUNDER, AND YOU KNOW THEY'RE THERE.

I MEAN, THE INLETS ARE JUST LOCATIONS THAT FLOUNDER HANG OUT AND SOME INLETS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS.

MARTIN'S INLET AT CAPE LOOKOUT IS A PARTICULARLY GOOD INLET FOR IT.

BUT DRUM INLET, THROUGH THE YEARS, HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO GO.

AND IF YOU WANT TO GO, GIVE IT A TRY.

- WELL, YOU'VE GOT TO BE PREPARED.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT IN GEAR TIME.

- GENE, THAT WAS A GOOD LITTLE TRIP.

- IT HAS BEEN.

IT'S BEEN FUN.

WE CAUGHT SOME GOOD FISH TODAY.

- I'VE BEEN DOWN HERE EARLIER IN THE YEAR WHEN IT WAS-- WELL, THIS IS MID-OCTOBER.

I WAS DOWN ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

AND I KNEW AS THE SEASON CAME ON, AS IT GOT A LITTLE COOLER AND WE HAD SOME COOL WEATHER, OUR CHANCES OF CATCHING SOME NICE FISH REALLY IMPROVED.

- OH, YEAH.

- IT WAS MY HOPE, COMING DOWN HERE, THAT ONE OF THEM WAS A CATCH CITATION FISH.

- WELL, THAT'D BE NICE.

WE DIDN'T GET QUITE THAT CLOSE, BUT WE MIGHT HAVE LOST ONE OR TWO.

- WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

AND I'M TALKING ABOUT ONE THAT'S OVER FOUR POUNDS AND NOT UNDER 13 INCHES.

[both chuckle] BUT THE TACKLE WE WERE USING IS JUST-- WE WERE BOTH USING BAIT CASTERS, I THINK, ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

- YEAH.

- 10-POUND TEST LINE.

FAIRLY LIGHT.

WE WEREN'T HORSING THESE FLOUNDER.

WE WERE FIGHTING THEM.

LITTLE BIT WORRIED ABOUT THEM SAWING THAT LINE IN TWO, WHEN WE HAD THOSE NICE FISH AT THE BOAT, I WAS TENSING UP SOME.

- SO WAS I.

- BUT WE NAILED THEM ALL.

AND WE WERE JUST FISHING A 1/4 OUNCE JIG HEAD ON A VARIETY OF PLASTIC BAITS.

I THINK THE FINESSE WAS PROBABLY THE THING WHAT WE USED THE MOST.

- THAT'S BEEN A GREAT BAIT TODAY.

- IT WAS.

STAYED DOWN GOOD FOR US.

'CAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO FISH WHEN THE TIDE WAS DEAD 'CAUSE WE KNEW THAT THAT'S BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL.

- AND IT'S RUNNING HARD NOW.

- YEAH, IF WE WERE TO FISH NOW, AND WE MIGHT WHEN WE LEAVE, WE'LL JUST PROBABLY MAKE A DRIFT OR TWO 'CAUSE WE COULDN'T HARDLY KEEP A BAIT DOWN UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.

- HAVE TO USE MUCH HEAVIER-- MUCH HEAVIER LEAD HEAD.

- FINESSE, A GOOD BAIT.

THE BLACK AND SILVER WAS PROBABLY PREDOMINANT TODAY.

THAT PINK AND WHITE DOES GOOD.

- ALWAYS GOOD.

- BERKLEY POWER BAIT, IT DOES GOOD, BUT, YOU KNOW, TOO MUCH CURRENT IN HERE FOR THAT.

KIND OF HARD TO KEEP HIM RIGHT.

TWISTED TAIL GRUB, ALWAYS A GOOD CHOICE.

LITTLE FISHIE.

WE DIDN'T FISH ONE TODAY.

BUT IT'S A GOOD BAIT-- CATCH ANYTHING, AND A LOT OF THE FISH YOU WERE CATCHING WERE ACTUALLY VOMITING UP MINNOWS JUST LIKE THE MATCH HEAD.

PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SMART FOR US TO PUT ONE OF THOSE ON.

- ONE OF THE LAST ONES I CAUGHT SPIT UP SIX OR SEVEN OF THOSE?

- JUST FULL OF THEM.

EVERY ONE ON ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS THAT.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

IT WOULD HAVE-- IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD BAIT.

BUT JUST FISHING IN THE INLET, LITTLE DEEP CHANNEL WE'VE GOT RUNNING THROUGH HERE, I THINK MOST OF THE FISH WE WERE CATCHING WERE PROBABLY OCEAN FISH THAT HAD COME IN AND BEEN GOING OUT.

DON'T KNOW THAT FOR A FACT, BUT IT'S KIND OF WHAT WE WERE TALKING, AND IT WORKED OUT.

- FELLAS, WE THANK YOU FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO ON A GUIDED FISHING TRIP, CALL THE NUMBER THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN; WE'LL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU OUT THERE.

NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEALS, NO DOUBT.

TODAY IT'S ABOUT CRAB CAKES, SO LET'S JOIN DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- HI, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

TODAY WE'RE GONNA BE MAKING CRAB CAKES IN THE KITCHEN.

AND THIS IS A GREAT DISH.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN MAKE AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU LIKE AND FREEZE AND THEN PULL THEM OUT AS YOU WOULD LIKE THEM AND COOK THEM.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

I'LL SHOW YOU HOW YOU MAKE THEM, AND THEN YOU CAN DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THEM AND COOK THEM RIGHT AWAY OR IF YOU WANT TO PUT SOME EXTRAS IN THE FREEZER FOR A LATER DATE.

WE'RE GONNA START OUT WITH CHOPPING ALL OF OUR FRESH HERBS.

INSTEAD OF USING DRY HERBS, WHICH YOU CAN USE IF YOU DON'T HAVE FRESH, BUT I ALWAYS LIKE THE FRESH ONES, AND IT JUST ADDS THAT MUCH MORE FLAVOR TO YOUR RECIPES.

SO WE'RE GONNA START WITH CHOPPING OUR DILL.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA CHOP OUR DILL JUST A ROUGH CHOP, NOTHING, YOU KNOW, CRAZY.

JUST GIVE IT A GOOD CHOP, AND YOU'LL JUST BE ABLE TO SMELL THOSE GREAT HERBS GOING.

I LOVE THE SMELL OF FRESH DILL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE SOME FRESH FLAT-LEAF PARSLEY, AND WE'RE JUST GONNA KIND OF BUNCH IT TOGETHER.

THAT'S HOW I DO MINE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING PERFECT.

YOU CAN ALSO GET SOME SCISSORS, WHICH IS GREAT TOO, AND JUST YOU KNOW, USE YOUR SCISSORS WHICH IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT AS WELL AND JUST CHOP IT.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET OUT SOME FRUSTRATION TOO, IF YOU HAVE ANY.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THAT A NICE ROUGH CHOP.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR GREEN ONIONS THAT ARE CHOPPED OR SLICED WITH JUST PART OF THE GREEN AND THE WHITE TOGETHER.

AND THEN WE HAVE SOME CELERY THAT I'VE JUST SLICED DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIB AND JUST CHOPPED REAL FINELY 'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT BIG CHUNKS OF CELERY IN YOUR DISH.

WE ARE GONNA TAKE OUR CRAB WHICH-- WE HAVE ABOUT 2 CUPS OF CRAB MEAT IN OUR BOWL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO ADD TO THIS OUR GREEN ONIONS AND OUR CELERY.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD THIS FRESH DILL AND PARSLEY TO IT.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT A TOSS.

SO YOU CAN SEE JUST THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS AGAINST THE GREAT CRAB.

SO I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY PRETTY.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE EAT WITH THEIR EYES, OR AT LEAST I DO.

IF IT LOOKS GOOD, IT'S GOT TO TASTE GOOD, WHETHER IT DOES OR NOT.

SO THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD OUR SEAFOOD BREADER TO THIS.

WE'RE GONNA SAVE A LITTLE BIT BACK BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA MIX IT IN HERE, AND THEN WE'RE ALSO, ONCE WE MAKE THEM INTO PATTIES, WE'RE GONNA DREDGE IT BACK INTO OUR SEAFOOD BREADER BEFORE WE PUT IT IN OUR PAN TO FRY.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS THIS SO WE CAN GET EVERYTHING INCORPORATED.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME EGG TO THIS TOO.

AND IT'S GONNA MAKE A NICE, MOIST MIXTURE.

WE'RE GONNA ADD OUR EGG AND SOME MAYONNAISE.

AND IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN TRY ADDING, LIKE, A GREEK YOGURT TO THIS, WHICH WOULD ADD A NICE LITTLE TANG TO IT AS WELL IN PLACE OF THE MAYONNAISE.

WE'RE GONNA ADD A LITTLE HOT SAUCE.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE IT A STIR.

SO WE'RE GONNA STIR ALL THIS TOGETHER TILL IT'S NICE AND MOIST.

AND THEN THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS RECIPE IS, YOU CAN MAKE THEM BIG, LIKE THIS WILL MAKE ABOUT EIGHT PATTIES, WHICH WILL BE LIKE A HAMBURGER SIZE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR AN ENTREE.

OR ANOTHER GREAT THING IS TO MAKE THEM A LITTLE BIT SMALLER AND PUT THEM ON SLIDER BUNS IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A CRAB CAKE BURGER, YOU CAN DO THAT.

OR YOU CAN MAKE THEM EVEN A LITTLE BIT SMALLER AND SERVE THEM AS APPETIZERS WHICH ARE GREAT.

YOU CAN PILE THEM UP.

AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE THIS GREAT SAUCE THAT GOES WITH IT TOO, SO THEN YOU CAN HAVE THIS PLATE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CRAB CAKES AND THIS GREAT SPICY SAUCE TO DIP THEM IN.

AND IT'LL BE GREAT FOR A PARTY.

SO YOU CAN MAKE THEM ALL UP, FREEZE THEM, AND THEN PULL THEM OUT FOR YOUR PARTY, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE OUR SAUCE, WHICH--WE'VE TAKEN OUR CHIPOTLE PEPPERS AND ADOBE SAUCE, AND WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME MAYONNAISE TO THAT AND A LITTLE SQUEEZE OF LIME JUICE.

AND MIX THAT TOGETHER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA SERVE OUR CRAB CAKES WITH.

SO I'LL TAKE YOU OVER AND LET YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE CRAB CAKES-- THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE COOKING.

YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

I MADE SOME BIG ONES THAT WE CAN USE ON OUR HAMBURGER BUNS AND THEN SOME SLIDER BUNS.

WE CAN USE THOSE AS WELL.

THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE DONE.

THEY'RE NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

AND THEY'RE NICE AND FLAKY IN THE MIDDLE AND JUST OH, SO GOOD.

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

- DONNA, THAT'S SOME GOOD STUFF.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK.

TELL ME ABOUT THE SEASONS FOR THE FLOUNDER.

- WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY COME IN STARTING IN APRIL-- APRIL, THE END OF MAY, AND THEN WITH US ALL SUMMER LONG.

THE FALL FISHING FLOUNDER CAN BE REALLY, REALLY GOOD.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE'VE GOT 300 MILES OF COASTLINE HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND INLETS ARE FOUND THE COMPLETE LENGTH OF THE COAST, AND SOME OF THEM ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS.

DRUM, AGAIN, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, GOING BACK, YOU KNOW, THE LAST 30, 40 YEARS, HAS BEEN A REAL POPULAR DESTINATION.

BARTON'S INLET IN CAPE LOOKOUT, AND OF COURSE, THE MOUTH OF THE CAPE FEAR RIVER WHERE THE CAPE FEAR RIVER EMPTIES INTO THE OCEAN CAN BE GOOD.

ALL OF THEM ARE GOOD; SOME OF THEM ARE BETTER.

BUT AGAIN, TODAY WE USED-- OPTED FOR PLASTIC BAITS, BUT I'D SAY MORE FLOUNDER PROBABLY ARE CAUGHT ON LIVE BAIT.

IT'S JUST--YOU KNOW, THEY MAKE FLOUNDER RIGS THAT YOU CAN RIG UP.

AND THE FLOUNDER LAY ON THE BOTTOM.

THAT'S WHERE THEY SPEND THEIR WHOLE LIFE.

AND THE INLETS PUSH THAT FOOD BACK AND FORTH ON THE INLET CHANGES-- OR EXCUSE ME, TIDE CHANGES COMING IN AND OUT.

AND IT'S JUST A NATURAL PLACE TO FIND THEM.

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

- WELL, IT'S GOOD ON THE TABLE TOO.

- 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.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

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