[gentle orchestral fanfare] - GOT HIM.

OH, HE WHACKED IT GOOD.

OH, THERE HE'S FIGHTIN'.

- I'M GONNA GET THIS NET.

OH, YEAH.

YOU GOT THAT LIGHT TWINE ON THERE.

- THAT'S A BETTER FISH.

- YEAH, I'M GONNA SMACK-- THAT'S YOURS.

I'M GONNA SMACK IT WITH THE NET.

- THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

- SMACK HIM OFF.

- THERE YOU GO.

- HE ATE IT GOOD.

- HE DID EAT IT GOOD.

- OH, YEAH.

- OH, YEAH.

- HE POPPED THAT THING.

- HAPPY FISH.

CHOWED THAT WORM, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

- I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE CHARTREUSE ON THE TAIL MADE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE OR NOT, BUT... - WE HAD IT ON THERE.

- YEAH, IT COULD JUST BE THIS PLACE HAS GOT SOME FISH LOADED ON IT, 'CAUSE I LOST THAT ONE.

AND YOU CAUGHT THAT GOOD ONE.

IT COULD JUST BE THEY'RE... COULD JUST BE A FEW IN THE HOUSE.

- [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, TODAY'S PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING OUT NEAR CHARLOTTE.

WE'RE GONNA BE AT LAKE NORMAN.

JOE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A GOOD DAY OF FISHING HERE.

- WELL, IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PRETTY GOOD DAY, CONSIDERING WE WERE FACING A COLD FRONT PASSAGE THE DAY BEFORE.

IT SEEMS THIS SEASON, I'VE JUST RUN INTO A LOT OF THAT.

CONDITIONS THAT YOU COULD SAY ARE NOT ALWAYS FAVORABLE TO CATCH FISH.

AND WE'RE FISHING FOR SPOTTED BASS TODAY.

AND THEY PARTICULARLY DON'T LIKE-- WELL, THERE ARE A LOT OF FISH THAT WE HAVE THAT DON'T LIKE COLD FRONT PASSAGES.

THE BITE WON'T BE AS AGGRESSIVE AS YOU'D LIKE.

BUT THE GUYS KEPT RIGHT AT IT, FISHED HARD, THREW A VARIETY OF LURES AT 'EM, AND WE ENDED UP CATCHING SOME FISH.

- YOU MENTIONED A VARIETY OF LURES.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN GEAR TIME.

- YEAH, WE'LL GO BACK, AND THEY'LL SHARE WITH US HOW THEY STARTED WITH RAT-L-TRAPS TO START WITH AND THEN KIND OF MOVED AROUND AND ENDED UP USING FINESSE WORMS AND SOME JIGS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE FACING THAT SITUATION, YOU TEND TO GO THROUGH THE TACKLE BOX A LOT OF TIMES TO FIND OUT JUST THAT ONE LURE THAT THEY MAY WANT TO HIT.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, WHEN YOU DO HAVE A FRONTAL PASSAGE LIKE THAT, THE FISH, AGAIN, MIGHT NOT BE AS AGGRESSIVE, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT, LIKE I SAID, WE ENDED UP CATCHING A FEW FISH.

- AND IN THE KITCHEN, DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE FOR ONE OF MY FAVORITES, SWEET POTATOES.

- YEAH, SHE'S GONNA FRY 'EM UP.

AND, REALLY, THIS DISH IS MORE ABOUT HOW SHE PREPARES THE SWEET POTATO THAN THE FISH THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

BUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM HER.

- IT'S A GOOD RECIPE.

WE'VE GOT A LOT TO DO.

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

- WHAT WE GONNA BE DOING HERE TODAY IS, WE GOT A BUNCH-- YOU CAN SEE A STUMP UP THERE IN THAT SHADOW RIGHT UP THERE-- - YEAH, I SEE IT.

- THESE SPOTS LOVE TO GET UP ON THESE REAL FLAT BANKS.

AND WE GOT STUMPS.

WE GOT THIS CLAY.

THEY GET A LOT SHALLOWER THAN WHAT PEOPLE REALLY REALIZE.

AND THE MAIN INGREDIENT IS BAITFISH.

THEY GET IN HERE AND RUN BAITFISH.

AND OUT HERE WHERE WE'VE GOT THE BOAT, IT'S PROBABLY, LIKE, FIVE OR SIX FOOT DEEP.

BUT YOU CAN SEE, IT'S LIKE KNEE-DEEP UP THERE.

AND WHAT WE'RE JUST DOING IS THROWING THESE RAT-L-TRAPS.

THEY LOOK LIKE THE SHAD.

WE'VE GOT ALEWIVES AND THREADFIN AND BLUEBACK.

AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH IT IS, BUT THEY JUST KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S FLEEING.

AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GANG UP AND GET FAT FOR THE WINTER.

THESE SPOTS, ONCE THEY START FEEDING-- NOW THAT WE GOT THIS COOL SNAP-- THEY'RE GONNA BITE ALL WINTER LONG.

THEY LIKE THIS COOL WEATHER A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN THE SUMMERS.

THE LARGEMOUTH SEEM TO BITE BETTER IN THE SUMMERS, I THINK.

BUT WE'RE GONNA JUST SIT HERE, AND IT'S PRETTY EASY.

YOU JUST THROW IT OUT.

THEY TAKE CARE OF ALL THE WORK.

WE JUST THROW IT OUT, REEL IT IN.

- SO I'M ACTUALLY-- JUST THROW RIGHT AT THE STUMPS?

- RIGHT, AND YOU CAN'T GET TOO CLOSE TO THE BANK.

IF YOU GET UP THERE AND GET HUNG ON THE BANK AND WE HAVE TO GO GET IT, THAT'S FINE.

BUT YOU'RE STILL NOT TOO CLOSE.

YOU SHOWED HIM WHO THE BOSS WAS.

- HE WHACKED IT.

IT'S NOT OFTEN I CATCH THE FIRST ONE WHEN I'M FISHING WITH YOU, THAT'S-- - THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

YOU NEED THE NET?

- I THINK I'LL MAKE IT.

MAN, THEY PULL HARD.

CAN HEAR HIM PULLING.

- YEAH, HE DON'T EVEN-- I'M GONNA LAY THIS DOWN.

I'M GONNA REACH IN THERE AND GRAB IT WHEN THAT LINE'S LIGHT.

WHENEVER HE GETS UP HERE-- IT'S GONNA BE AWHILE.

THEY'RE SMALL IN STATURE AND BIG IN HEART.

HE'S A GOOD ONE, THOUGH.

- YEAH.

- WELL, THAT'S THE FIRST ONE.

DO I NEED TO THROW HIM BACK SINCE YOU GOT HIM?

- THE LARGEMOUTH, SPOT-- WHAT'S THE CHARACTERISTIC HERE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TO DISTINGUISH THE TWO?

- I'M GONNA SHOW YOU.

LET ME GET THESE HOOKS OUT REAL QUICK.

AND REALLY, YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT YOUR THUMB IN THEIR MOUTH TILL YOU GET IT OFF, 'CAUSE THEY ARE ENERGETIC.

THESE SPOTS--LET ME GET US OFF THIS DOCK REAL QUICK-- IF YOU'LL NOTICE, SEE HOW HIS EYEBALL'S RIGHT THERE?

- YEAH.

- AND YOU'LL SEE THE LITTLE BROKEN LINE, THE LATERAL LINE.

IT'LL ACTUALLY BE, YOU KNOW, SOLID ON THE LARGEMOUTH AND SUCH.

BUT NOW, HIS EYE RIGHT HERE, IF YOU TAKE AND GO STRAIGHT DOWN-- I DON'T LIKE TO TOUCH 'EM TOO MUCH, BUT STILL, TO SHOW YOU-- IF YOU GO STRAIGHT DOWN BELOW, SEE, THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH IS WAY UP AHEAD OF HIS EYE.

- AND A LARGEMOUTH IS-- - ON A LARGEMOUTH-- AND IF WE'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO CATCH ONE TODAY, WHILE WE'RE TARGETING THESE THINGS, WE'LL SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE THEN.

BUT THE LARGEMOUTH, THE CORNER OF ITS MOUTH WILL EXTEND RIGHT BACK HERE.

- GOT YOU.

- AND ALSO, IF YOU FEEL HIS TONGUE, YOU CAN'T SEE IT, BUT HE'S GOT A TOOTH ON HIS TONGUE.

- OH, YEAH.

I SEE IT.

- SO IF YOU SEE IT... - ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET SOME MORE.

WAY TO START.

- LET'S GET HIM BACK THERE.

YOU'RE UP ON ME, ONE TO NOTHING.

YEAH, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON UP IN THERE.

- YEAH, LOOKED LIKE BAIT.

YOU THINK IT WAS BAIT?

- IT WAS BAIT.

- NOW, WHAT IS IT TYPICALLY IN HERE?

IS IT JUST STRAIGHT-UP SHAD OR... - YEAH, MAINLY THREADFIN SHAD.

THE ALEWIVES AND THE BLUEBACKS STAY DEEP MOST OF THE TIME, AND THE GIZZARD SHAD-- WE'VE GOT THE GIZZARD SHAD TOO-- BUT THEY'RE A LOT BIGGER THAN THIS.

THE BAIT IS TENDING TO-- NOW, THIS IS KIND OF IRONIC-- THE BAIT TENDS TO BE A LOT SMALLER THAN THESE BAITS WE'RE THROWING.

AND SOMETIMES, WITH TROUT AND STUFF, YOU GOT TO MATCH THE HATCH.

- RIGHT, RIGHT.

- BUT THERE'S SO MUCH BAIT IN HERE, IF YOU THROW SOMETHING EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE AS WHAT THEY'RE EATING, YOU'RE JUST GONNA BLEND.

SO WE'RE THROWING THESE LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER COLORS AND A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

JUST SOMETHING TO MAKE 'EM NOTICE US.

I'M TELLING YOU-- - GOT HIM.

RIGHT WHERE YOU SAID THAT BAIT WAS WORKING.

- ALL WE DID IS PAID A--LOOK, THERE GOES ONE RIGHT THERE.

- HEY, THERE GOES ANOTHER ONE.

A LITTLE SCHOOL.

THERE, HE'S COMING.

UGH, THERE'S EVEN...

EVEN SOMETIMES THESE LITTLE ONE-POUNDERS, THEY GIVE YOU A HEAD-TWISTING, TAIL-- HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SIZE HE IS.

- YOU'RE GONNA MAKE HIM MAD IN A MINUTE.

- I KNOW.

HE'LL TAKE YOU RIGHT UNDER.

- HE DON'T REALIZE HE'S A POUND.

- MAN, DID HE-- HE WHACKED IT MORE LIKE A-- LOOK AT HIM DOGGIN' ME DOWN.

- OH, YOU ONLY GOT ONE HOOK IN HIM NOW.

- UH-OH.

- HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

JUST SWING HIM, I THINK.

OH, HE GOT THE OTHER HOOK IN HIM THEN.

- LIKE YOU SAID, YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE.

- THAT'S ALL HE DID.

HE WAS JUST OUT HERE OFF THIS BAIT.

I SAW THE BAIT MOVE, AND THERE'S SOME MORE OUT HERE.

I WOULD BET HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT HERE IN THIS MIDDLE.

- IT'S FUNNY YOU SAID YOU SAW THAT BAIT, AND I THREW JUST LIKE IT.

HE WHACKED IT.

- LOOK, SEE, RIGHT OVER THERE.

TOWARD THE MIDDLE.

I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO GET THE HOOKS IN YOUR HAND, BUT I SEE THE BAIT MOVING OVER THERE.

BE CAREFUL.

THEM LITTLE GUYS, THEY ARE SO MUCH ATTITUDE.

IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY TIME I DIDN'T USE THE PLIERS AND GOT A HOOK IN ME ON THOSE LITTLE ONES, MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WOULD DONE BE DONE.

- THAT WAS A NICE LITTLE SCHOOL HE DREW RIGHT WHERE THAT BAIT WAS.

- OH, YEAH, HE'S HANGING AROUND THE RESTAURANT.

- LET'S GET A BIGGER ONE NOW.

HANGING AROUND THE RESTAURANT.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

- HE KNEW WHERE THE FOOD WAS AT.

YOU SEE, HE CAME TOWARD THE BACK TOO.

- YEAH, ABOUT JUST LIKE-- - AND THAT'S WHERE THAT LAST ONE YOU HAD WAS.

AND SO... WE MAY... - THERE'S SOME BAIT WORKING THERE AGAIN, SEE THAT?

- THERE IT IS.

- RIGHT IN THE BACK AGAIN.

- THERE OUT HERE IN THE BACK.

NOW, THESE ARE IN THE MIDDLE.

BUT IT'S NOT THAT-- - NOT THAT DEEP.

- YOU KNOW, IF IT WAS WARMER, WE COULD GET OUT THERE AND PROBABLY SWIM AND BE CHEST-DEEP RIGHT HERE, SO...

HE'S MAKING IT SING, WHATEVER HE IS.

- AH, HE'S BIGGER THAN THE-- YEAH, HE'S NOT BAD.

- YEAH, HE'S A KEEPER, BUT... - BOY, HE'S GOT PRETTY COLORS.

PRETTY SPOTS.

- THAT'S A KEEPER FISH RIGHT THERE.

- YEAH, IT'S DEFINITELY BETTER-- - NOW, DID YOU NOTICE HOW I SWITCHED TO THIS JIG?

IT WASN'T LIKE I WAS HOLDING OUT ON YOU OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT WE'VE HAD EIGHT OR TEN BITES.

THEY'RE SLAPPING AT THAT RAT-L-TRAP.

THEY'RE JUST NOT TAKING IT.

THEY'RE JUST NOT WANTING TO TAKE IT.

AND THEY'RE TALKING AT US.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT THEY'RE SAYING?

THEY'RE SAYING WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SLOW DOWN.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO TO SOME OF THESE PLASTICS.

I'M GONNA THROW A JIG.

I'M GONNA HAVE YOU THROWING SOME PLASTICS.

IT MIGHT BE--I DON'T KNOW-- IT MIGHT BE JUST 'CAUSE THERE'S NOT A LOT OF CLOUDS IN THE SKY.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A FRONT COMING THROUGH, BUT THEY'RE TALKING AT US.

THEY'RE NOT WANTING TO CHASE.

THEY'RE COMMITTING.

BUT THEY'RE NOT JUST WANTING TO UNLOAD ON IT.

- RIGHT, RIGHT.

- SO WE'RE JUST GONNA SLOW DOWN.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE SOME WORMS AND JIGS LIKE THIS.

AND WE'RE GONNA SLOW DOWN.

- CATCH SOME BETTER-QUALITY FISH, YOU THINK?

- RIGHT, 'CAUSE THAT'S, YOU KNOW...

I DON'T THINK IT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT WE CAUGHT A KEEPER ON THAT.

WE CAUGHT A LOT OF SMALL FISH ON THESE OTHER THINGS.

AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF BITES.

THEY'RE JUST SHORT-STRIKING IT.

SO WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND-- WE BELIEVE THEY'RE TALKING TO US.

AND WE'RE NOT GONNA SECOND-GUESS IT.

WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND SWITCH OVER.

NOW, SEE HOW WE GOT THIS SHADE GOING DOWN THE SIDE OF THIS THING A LITTLE BIT?

- RIGHT.

YEAH.

- NOW, WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BRUSH AROUND THIS DOCK.

AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT DEEPER ON THIS ONE.

AND IT'S THE ONLY ONE WE'RE GONNA PAY ATTENTION TO IN THIS WHOLE COVE.

TECHNICALLY, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A MAGIC DOCK.

BUT THE ONLY REASON IT'S MAGIC IS WE GOT NINE FOOT OF WATER AROUND THIS THING-- YOU GOT A FISH?

- OH, I SAW IT PULLING TO THE SIDE.

- GOLLY, BUM.

DID HE BREAK IT?

HE'S ON.

OR IS HE?

OH, HE HAD IT.

- HE HAD IT.

- HE HAD IT.

WELL, GOOD JOB.

YOU THROWED IT RIGHT THERE WHERE HE WAS AT.

- WELL, SO THAT HITS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THERE, THOUGH.

- YEAH, YEAH.

- SO THAT HEAVINESS WAS THE KEY FOR ME.

- YEAH, HE WAS SWIMMING WITH IT AS IT HIT.

- SWIMMING WITH IT.

- BUT HE JUST GRABBED IT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE BOTTOM.

BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING, IS WE'RE JUST OVER HERE LOOKING AT THIS.

I'D SAY IT'S ABOUT NINE FOOT OF WATER AROUND THIS DOCK.

AND THE REST OF 'EM IN HERE ARE PROBABLY ONLY... FOUR.

THREE TO FOUR.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA SLOW DOWN.

YOU KNOW, THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG.

YOU SEE, YOU SLOW DOWN.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE HAD THEM FISH POP THAT THING THIS MORNING-- JUST POP, POP, POP, POP?

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE POPPING POPCORN, BUT THEY WOULDN'T EAT IT.

YOU KNOW, WE CAUGHT SOME, AND THEY WERE LITTLE.

SOON AS WE DID THAT, YOU KNOW.

WELL, YOU KNOW, I DID SLOW DOWN OVER THERE AND CAUGHT THAT ONE, THAT ONE KEEPER.

- OH, YEAH.

NOW, THAT'S A BETTER FISH.

- IT'S A SPOT.

NOW, HE THUMPED IT.

- YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT JUST SLOWED IT DOWN.

- HE WASN'T AS GOOD AS I-- HE'S A GOOD KEEPER, BUT... - STILL.

- HE HIT IT LIKE HE WAS.

- RIGHT ON THE BACK SIDE OF THAT DOCK.

RIGHT IN THAT SHADE LINE, LIKE YOU WERE SAYING.

- YOU SEE HOW SHALLOW HE WAS?

- YEAH.

- SO WE'RE GONNA PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

- HE REALLY WAS.

IT WAS ON THE MOST SHALLOW SIDE OF THE DOCK.

- HE ABOUT ROCKED ME OUT OF MY BRITCHES.

NOW, SEE THIS LINE OF SHADE WE GOT RIGHT HERE?

- RIGHT.

- SHADE... YOU KNOW, WE GOT BRUSH AROUND THIS DOCK.

- I JUST FELT IT.

I SAID, YOU CAN FEEL IT THERE.

- THERE'S A LOT OF BRUSH OUT THERE.

YEAH, THESE KISTLER RODS ARE REAL SENSITIVE.

AND IT'S REAL FUNNY.

WE'VE GOT THIS BRUSH AROUND THIS ONE.

THERE'S NOT MUCH AROUND THAT ONE OVER THERE.

THE KEY IS THE SHADE.

YOU KNOW, THAT BAIT, IT'S THE SAME THING AS HIDE-AND-GO-SEEK.

HIDING IN A DARK CLOSET, IF WE WERE.

THOSE BASS WILL GET UP UNDER THEM PLACES.

AND IF YOU CAN DRAG YOUR BAIT THROUGH THE SHADE, A LOT OF TIMES-- YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE'LL DO-- YOU SAW ME DO SOME OF THEM CRAZY CASTS EARLIER, THROWING WAY UP UNDER THERE AND STUFF.

AND IT'S COOL, YOU KNOW.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU'LL CATCH FISH.

BUT A LOT OF TIMES, ALL YOU NEED IS THAT SHADE.

IT'S LIKE A AMBUSH POINT.

THE FISH GET UP UNDER THERE, AND YOU TARGET IT.

AND ALL DAY LONG--WHEN THE FISH GET ON THE SHADE PATTERN-- WE COULD FISH--WELL, THAT DOCK WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT TOO SHALLOW-- BUT YOU COULD JUST GO ALL THE WAY DOWN.

- RIGHT ON THAT SHALLOW POINT AGAIN.

HOW'S HE FEEL?

HE'S DOWN THERE.

- HE'S DOWN THERE WITH TWO OR THREE OTHER ONES.

- OH, YEAH.

GET HIM.

- THERE WE GO.

HE AIN'T AS BIG AS HE FELT.

HE'S BETTER THAN THEM LITTLE SCHOOLERS, BUT... - YEAH, HE DEFINITELY IS.

- AND HE ATE IT.

LOOK, HE ATE-- NO, I STILL GOT MY CHUNK.

LITTLE SPOT, BUT HE WAS STILL THERE.

HE HIT IT HARD.

- OH, HE DID.

- I MEAN, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA HAVE ANY TROUBLE.

- YOU WHACKED HIM.

- YEAH, HE ATE IT, SO-- - YOU GOT TO DEFINITELY SET IT, THOUGH, DON'T YOU?

- YEAH, I DON'T PAY NO-- I WILL SAY, IF I'M TARGETING LARGEMOUTH.

TODAY, WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET THESE SPOTS, AND THE LARGEMOUTH AIN'T REALLY BITING THAT GOOD YET.

WHAT I'LL DO IS, IN THIS CLEAR WATER, I'LL RUN 20 POUND TEST LINE.

BUT ON THESE SPOTS, I'M THROWING A SMALLER JIG.

YOU GOT HIM?

- NAH.

- OH, MAN.

ALL HUNG UP.

LOOKS GOOD.

WE'LL GO OVER--LET ME THROW OVER THERE REAL QUICK, UNDER THAT WALKWAY, AND THEN WE'LL GO GET YOU.

LET ME SEE IF I CAN SNEAK ONE OUT ON YOU WHILE YOU'RE HANDICAPPED HERE.

BUT THAT'S ONE THING I DO.

- HERE WE GO.

THAT'S ALL I NEEDED.

- ONE THING IS, I'LL GO WITH 15-POUND FLUOROCARBON LINE AND A 3/8 OUNCE JIG AND A LITTLE BIT SMALLER TRAILER.

YOU CAN CATCH A BIG SPOT ON A LARGEMOUTH LURE.

YOU NOTICED THIS MORNING, WHEN WE WAS RUNNING THEM RAT-L-TRAPS, YOU WAS GETTING A WHOLE LOT MORE BITES THAN ME.

AND I WAS THROWING THAT BIG ONE, LOOKING FOR THE BIG MEAT.

AND WHILE I WAS DOING THAT, YOU WERE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WAS GOING ON.

NOW, A DOCK IS A DOCK IS A DOCK.

WE'VE HIT A BUNCH OF 'EM TODAY.

BUT IF YOU'LL NOTICE, THIS ONE'S ABOUT 18 FOOT DEEP.

WE'RE GRADUALLY GETTING A LITTLE BIT DEEPER.

AND IT'S JUST THAT WE'RE SIMPLY DOING IT BECAUSE THE BITE, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST BEEN TOUGHER THAN IT HAS.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA KEEP MOVING.

NOW, YOU SEE THIS SHADE THAT GOES THROUGH HERE?

- MM-HMM.

- WE'RE GONNA ATTACK THIS SHADE.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF BRUSH AROUND IT.

THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT IS, WE'RE JUST GOING A LITTLE BIT DEEPER.

AND WE'RE GONNA GET EVEN DEEPER THAN THIS, UNLESS WE JUST COINCIDE WITH SOMETHING THAT'S JUST WIDE OPEN.

BUT THE BIGGEST THING-- DEEP FISHING INTIMIDATES A LOT OF PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY EVEN HAVE TO USE A HEAVIER, YOU KNOW, WEIGHT OR ANYTHING.

IT CAN CREATE HAVOC, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S, LIKE, WINDY OR SOMETHING.

BUT IF NOT, ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO IS JUST BE SURE THAT IT GETS TO THE BOTTOM.

- YEAH, I JUST OPENED THAT BAIL UP, AND... - YEAH, OPEN THAT BAIL.

- IT MAY TAKE A LITTLE LONGER.

- DRAG IT SLOW.

AND THAT'S THE KEY, IS JUST TAKING YOUR TIME.

AND WE'RE FISHING SLOW ANYWAY.

IF THE FISH WERE REAL AGGRESSIVE, WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING TO DO THIS ANYWAY.

NOW, WHAT I'M GONNA TRY TO DO-- AND I JUST FINALLY SAW ANOTHER SCHOOLER OVER THERE FINALLY.

HE WASN'T HITTING ON MUCH, BUT... UH-OH.

OH!

- YOU STILL GOT HIM?

- HE TORE MY BOOTY OFF.

GOT TO GET A NEW TRAILER.

- OH, HE WHACKED IT GOOD.

OH, THERE, HE'S FIGHTIN'.

- I'M GONNA GET THIS NET.

OH, YEAH.

YOU GOT THAT LIGHT TWINE ON THERE.

- THAT'S A BETTER FISH.

- YEAH.

THAT'S YOURS.

I'M GONNA SMACK IT WITH THE NET.

- THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

- SMACK HIM OFF.

- THERE YOU GO.

- HE ATE IT GOOD.

- HE DID EAT IT GOOD.

- OH, YEAH.

- OH, YEAH.

- HE POPPED THAT THING.

- HAPPY FISH.

CHOWED THAT WORM, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

- I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE CHARTREUSE ON THE TAIL MADE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE OR NOT, BUT... - WE HAD IT ON THERE.

- YEAH, IT COULD JUST BE THIS PLACE HAS GOT SOME FISH LOADED ON IT, 'CAUSE I LOST THAT ONE, AND THEN YOU CAUGHT THAT GOOD ONE.

IT COULD JUST BE THEY'RE... COULD JUST BE A FEW IN THE HOUSE.

- JOE, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, IT'S A FAIRLY DECENT DAY.

- WELL, IT WAS.

AS YOU SAW, WE HAD SOME WIND TO DEAL WITH TOO.

OF COURSE, A COUPLE PLACES WE FISHED, YOU KNOW, WE DUCKED OUT OF IT IN SOME COVES.

YOU KNOW, NORMAN'S A LARGE LAKE, AND SO IT HAS-- YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE WIND.

WE HAD SOME PLACES THEY WANTED TO FISH THAT WE COULDN'T FISH BECAUSE OF THE WIND.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU FACTOR ALL THAT IN.

WHEN YOU'RE ON FISH IN A CERTAIN PART OF THE LAKE, AND YOU GO THAT DAY TO FISH AND YOU CAN'T GET TO IT, THEN THAT KIND OF CHANGES THINGS.

I THINK ALL FISHERMEN LEARN HOW TO ADAPT TO CONDITIONS.

AND THESE GUYS CERTAINLY DID, AND WE CAUGHT FISH.

- WELL, LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE WERE CATCHING THOSE FISH.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- WELL, DREW, I APPRECIATE THE CALL.

FIRST FALL DAY OF THE YEAR, GET OUT AND DO A LITTLE FISHING WITH YOU, FOR SOME SPOTS UP ON NORMAN.

HAD THE BIG FRONT COME THROUGH, BUT I MEAN, WE PULLED IT OFF, PLANNED IT, PUT A PRETTY GOOD DAY TOGETHER.

- YEAH, IT WENT ALL RIGHT.

WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER, BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES, THAT FIRST COLD FRONT, THE COOLNESS COMES IN.

IT'S BEEN REAL HOT.

WE EXPECT IT TO BE JUST WIDE OPEN.

YOU KNOW, THE WATER TEMPERATURE'S STILL HOT.

IT HADN'T COOLED DOWN.

WE WERE STILL ABLE TO CATCH SOME ON THE RAT-L-TRAP.

THEY DON'T LIKE CHANGE ANY MORE THAN WE DO AS HUMANS.

AND IT SEEMED LIKE YOU OUTDID ME WITH THE RAT-L-TRAP.

THE SMALL SIZE, YOU KNOW.

AND THAT WAS WITH SPINNING TACKLE, AS WELL.

IT DON'T HAVE TO BE FANCY.

YOU JUST THROW IT OUT AND REEL IT IN.

A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE IN THE SIZE, BUT THAT 1/4 OUNCE GOT A LOT MORE BITES THAN THE 1/2 OUNCE DID THIS MORNING.

BASICALLY, WE JUST HAD TO SLOW IT DOWN.

WE STARTED CATCHING A FEW BETTER FISH WHEN WE SLOWED DOWN.

YOU WERE THROWING THIS LITTLE SPOT REMOVER JIG HEAD WITH A ZOOM FINESSE WORM.

I WAS THROWING THIS SHOOTER JIG WITH A ZOOM TRAILER.

AND IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE-- YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE THREW 'EM ON SPINNING TACKLE AND BAITCASTER.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE, LIKE, A MASTER TO DO IT.

BUT IT SEEMED LIKE WE STARTED OUT, YOU KNOW, SHALLOW.

AND WE GOT A FEW BITES SLOWING IT DOWN.

BUT IN TRADITIONAL FASHION, WE JUST HAD TO SLOW DOWN, AND WE GRADUALLY WENT DEEPER.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU CAUGHT THE BEST ONE OF THE DAY OUT THERE IN ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 28 FOOT OF WATER.

- I THINK YOU ADD A LITTLE COLOR TO IT, AND THAT'S JUST ENOUGH TO MAYBE GET THAT BIG ONE.

- I TRIED TO HOLD THE COLOR OUT ON YOU BECAUSE YOU JUMPED ON ME EARLY WITH THAT RAT-L-TRAP, SO I COULDN'T SHOW EVERYTHING.

BUT JUST A TAD OF THIS.

THIS IS A ZOOM.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF MANUFACTURERS THAT MAKE A GOOD DYE LIKE THIS.

JUST A TAD--YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT A WHOLE LOT ON IT.

JUST ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN SEE IT.

AND IT SEEMED TO MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

YOU JUST GOT TO SLOW DOWN AND DEAL WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO HOME EARLY, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET BIT.

YOU JUST GOT TO SLOW DOWN, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON, AND JUST BE REAL PERSISTENT.

AND YOU CAN USUALLY MAKE A GOOD DAY OUT OF THE WORST CONDITIONS.

- ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.

I'LL LOOK FOR THAT NEXT PHONE CALL.

I'M READY TO DO IT.

WE'LL DO IT AGAIN REAL SOON.

- LET'S DO IT.

I ALWAYS APPRECIATE IT.

- THANK YOU.

- THANKS, GUYS, FOR ALL THAT INFORMATION.

NOW, IF YOU NEED SOME MORE INFORMATION, THERE'S A NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

FEEL FREE TO CALL IT.

LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE HAS GOT A RECIPE TODAY WITH SWEET POTATOES.

- HI, TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING SOME SWEET POTATO FRIES IN THE KITCHEN, AND THESE ARE SO YUMMY.

I LOVE SWEET POTATOES.

SO WHAT I'VE DONE IS, I'VE BOUGHT SOME SWEET POTATOES AT THE MARKET.

AND I TRIED TO FIND SOME THAT WERE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AND SHAPE.

SO I HAVE A LONG ONE TO MAKE SOME REALLY GREAT STICKS HERE.

AND SO I'M JUST GONNA CUT OFF THE ENDS OF THE POTATO.

OH, THEY'RE A LITTLE TOUGH.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN YOU'RE GONNA PEEL IT.

SO YOU'RE GONNA TAKE YOUR PEELER, AND YOU'RE JUST GONNA PEEL DOWN AND PEEL IT COMPLETELY.

I CUT IT INTO, LIKE, WEDGES OR PIECES, AND THEN CUT 'EM INTO STICKS.

SO WE'RE GONNA DO THAT.

THEN I'M GONNA PUT THEM IN SOME ICE-COLD WATER.

AND THAT WAY, THEY'RE MOISTENING UP THE STICKS.

AND THEN IT'S GONNA ADHERE TO THE BREADER EVEN BETTER.

SO THEN I'M GONNA TAKE MY BAG.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED WITH, BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO SHAKE THINGS.

SO YOU CAN PUT YOUR BREADER IN YOUR BAG, PUT YOUR STICKS IN, AND LET 'EM SHAKE IT.

SO WE'RE GONNA USE PORK BREADER IN THIS RECIPE, BUT YOU CAN ALSO USE THE MILD-HOT OR MEDIUM-HOT IF YOU WANT, WHICH WOULD BE GOOD TOO, JUST TO KIND OF SPICE IT UP A LITTLE BIT IF YOU LIKE THAT FLAVOR.

SO WE HAVE OUR BREADER IN OUR BAG.

AND THEN OUR SWEET POTATO STICKS ARE MOIST.

AND SWEET POTATOES HAVE SO MUCH NUTRITION IN 'EM.

THEY'RE SO GOOD FOR YOU.

SO THIS IS JUST A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO MAKING FRENCH FRIES.

AND YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF NUTRITION IN THERE, AS WELL.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THIS A TOSS TILL THEY'RE ALL COATED.

WE'RE GONNA OPEN UP OUR BAG.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE THEM IN OUR OIL.

AND OUR OIL'S BEEN HEATING UP IN OUR DEEP FRYER.

AND, ONCE AGAIN, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HEAT IS AT THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE-- OR YOUR OIL'S AT THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE-- SO THAT THEY COOK EVENLY INSIDE AND OUT AT THE SAME TIME.

AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY OIL ABSORBED, OR WE'RE NOT BURNING THE OUTSIDE AND NOT COOKING THE INSIDE.

SO WE'RE GONNA LET THESE COOK FOR ABOUT THREE TO FIVE MINUTES, UNTIL THEY'RE BROWN AND CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE AND TENDER ON THE INSIDE.

AND THEN WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA LET THESE DRAIN ON A PAPER TOWEL.

AND THEN YOU'RE READY TO SERVE 'EM.

SO THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY ARE DONE.

I JUST HAVE SOME HERE THAT HAVE BEEN DRAINED.

AND THEN I'M ALSO GONNA SERVE THESE WITH SOME FISH, SOME CRISPY FISH THAT I'VE DONE WITH THE SEAFOOD BREADER.

SO WE HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENT SPIN ON A FISH-AND-CHIPS.

SO WE HAVE A YUMMY SWEET POTATO FRY.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S NICE AND TENDER ON THE INSIDE AND CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE.

I'VE SERVED IT WITH SOME FISH.

AND IT'S A GREAT LITTLE, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT WAY TO SERVE YOUR FISH-AND-CHIPS.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE SWEET POTATO FRIES, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA, FOR THAT RECIPE.

JOE, LET'S RUN BACK UP TO LAKE NORMAN.

- YEAH, AS WE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE FACED A COLD FRONT.

AND THE GUYS DID A GREAT JOB OF WORKING AROUND THAT AND CATCHING SOME FISH.

AND NORMAN'S A BIG LAKE.

IT'S BECOME WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS SPOTTED BASS POPULATION.

IT IS CONTINUING TO GROW, AND I HOPE TO GET BACK THERE AND DO SOME MORE FISHING.

- WELL, WE HAD A GOOD DAY OF IT, THAT'S FOR SURE.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

- [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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