Lizards and Bass Fishing
Season 6 Episode 13 | 26mVideo has Closed Captions
Fishing with artificial lizards to catch largemouth bass during the spring season.
This week on the Journal, our anglers show us how to fish an artificial lizard to catch largemouth bass during the spring season. In “Gear Time,” they discuss the tackle and lizard color options. In the kitchen, Donna Reynolds prepares a fish stick recipe.
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Carolina Outdoor Journal is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Lizards and Bass Fishing
Season 6 Episode 13 | 26mVideo has Closed Captions
This week on the Journal, our anglers show us how to fish an artificial lizard to catch largemouth bass during the spring season. In “Gear Time,” they discuss the tackle and lizard color options. In the kitchen, Donna Reynolds prepares a fish stick recipe.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[PIANO INTRO] - OKAY, SHAKE IT.
SHE GOT IT.
SHE HAD IT.
SHE WAS RUNNING OFF WITH IT.
- SHE'S GRABBING IT BY THE TAIL.
SHE'S GETTING TIRED OF MESSIN' WITH YOU AND ME.
- ALL RIGHT, GET READY.
SHE'S COMING IN, COMING IN.
SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, GET READY, GET READY.
JERK!
JERK!
[laughter] - I SWEAR YOU CAN SEE THEM FISH, BOY.
I DIDN'T SEE HER.
YEAH, I NEVER FELT HER PICK IT UP THEN.
[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 AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM IS GONNA TAKE US UP TO SHEARON HARRIS LAKE, WHERE WE WILL BE FISHING FOR BASS TODAY.
- THAT'S RIGHT, WE'RE GONNA BE TARGETING LARGEMOUTH BASS AT SHEARON HARRIS, ONE OF OUR BETTER LAKES HERE IN THE STATE FOR LARGE LARGEMOUTH BASS, AND SPRINGTIME USING LIZARDS.
THE GUYS WILL GO OVER IT IN GEAR TIME, HOW THEY USE THE LIZARDS TO CATCH SOME REALLY PRETTY FISH TODAY.
- HEY JOE, IN GEAR TIME, WE'LL TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT COLORS AND SIZES OF THOSE BAIT.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
TODAY, THEY ACTUALLY RIGGED IT UP WEIGHTLESS ONE TIME.
A COUPLE TIMES, THEY ACTUALLY PUT A WEIGHT ON THE LIZARD.
THERE'S DIFFERENT COLORS, AND THEY'LL GO OVER THAT IN GEAR TIME.
- AND DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE THAT I CAN ACTUALLY DO: LEMON-BAKED FISH STICKS.
- SOUNDS REAL SIMPLE, AND FISH STICKS ARE SIMPLE, BUT IN HER OWN WAY, SHE KNOWS HOW TO DO IT AND SHE'LL SHOW US HOW TO DO IT.
- WELL, LET'S GO TO WORK.
LET'S GO TO SHEARON HARRIS LAKE HERE TODAY, ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
- WELL, JOEL, IT'S EARLY MAY, AND WE'RE GONNA TARGET BEDDING BASS HERE AT SHEARON HARRIS THIS MORNING, AND I REALLY THOUGHT THESE BASS WOULD BE OFF THE BED BY EARLY MAY, BUT YOU'RE TELLING ME WE'RE GONNA CATCH THEM TODAY.
- YEAH, THERE'S-- MOST OF OUR LAKES IN THE CAROLINAS FROM MID-MAY TO--WELL, FROM MID-APRIL TO MID-MAY, IS THE PEAK SPAWNING TIME, AND LAKES THAT HAVE LOTS OF FISH IN THEM LIKE SHEARON HARRIS, THEY DON'T ALL SPAWN AT THE SAME TIME, SO I'VE SEEN FISH HERE ON THE BED ALL THE WAY TO THE BEGINNING OF JUNE.
- YEAH?
- YEAH.
- WELL, AND IT'S BEEN A COOL SPRING, SO I GUESS IT'S PUSHED 'EM BACK SOME.
- YEAH, MOST OF THE LAKES ARE RUNNING A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEHIND SCHEDULE.
- YEP.
- 'CAUSE ALL THE RAINS AND THE CLOUDY DAYS.
WE HAD A LOT OF COOLER WEATHER TOO.
BUT THE FISH ARE IN, IN THREE FEET OR LESS, HANGING AROUND SHALLOW VEGETATION IN THESE SPAWNING COVES.
- YEAH.
- AND LIZARDS ARE ALWAYS A GREAT BET TO USE WHEN BASS ARE SPAWNING, 'CAUSE THEY SAY LIZARDS EAT THE EGGS, YEAH.
- YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I HEAR, YEAH.
WELL, I'M LOOKIN' FORWARD TO IT.
I APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.
- YOU'RE WELCOME.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT TOO.
- LET'S DO IT.
- NOW JOE, WHAT WE'RE GONNA BE DOING HERE IS, THESE LARGEMOUTH BASS ARE SPAWNING BY THESE LITTLE CLUMPS OF VEGETATION.
AND A PLACE THAT IS ISOLATED, A LITTLE ISOLATED CLUMP, WE'RE GONNA BE FISHING KIND OF BESIDES THEM CLUMPS, ON THE CORNERS OF THEM, AND LOOKING FOR LIGHT-COLORED SPOTS.
THESE BASS WILL FAN OUT THE BEDS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF SAND IN THIS LAKE, AND THE WATER BEING DARK, YOU'LL SEE THESE LIGHT SPOTS.
INSTEAD OF TRYING TO LOOK FOR THE FISH, WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR THE LIGHT SPOTS AND MAKING RANDOM CASTS TO THESE AREAS AND JUST LET THIS LIZARD JUST SETTLE DOWN REAL SLOW, AND JUST WORK IT VERY SLOW, AND USUALLY YOUR BITE WILL COME WITHIN TEN FEET OF THE TIME YOU CASTED IT TO WORKING IT BACK TO YOU, AND IF YOU DON'T GET A BITE WITHIN TEN FEET, WIND IT BACK, 'CAUSE IF YOU GET DEEPER THAN FOUR FEET OF WATER, YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF THE ZONE OF THE BEDDING FISH.
AND I THINK THERE'S ONE RIGHT THERE.
I'VE BEEN SEEING THE WATER MOVE.
AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING.
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THESE BASS-- THEY'LL RUN THESE BLUEGILLS AROUND, AND YOU'LL SEE SWIRLS.
IF YOU CAN GET A BAIT IN THERE RIGHT WHEN THAT HAPPENS, USUALLY THAT FISH-- YEAH, HE'S READY TO CATCH.
- WELL, WE'RE GONNA TRY IT AND SEE.
- I THINK I SEE WHERE ONE'S AT.
YOU SEE THAT?
- YEAH.
- YOU'RE ON HIM.
ALL RIGHT, NOW EASE IT IN THERE.
- ALL RIGHT!
I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD SIZED BASS THERE, ISN'T IT?
WHOO-HOO.
- WELL, IT TOOK THREE OR FOUR CASTS IN THERE TO MAKE THAT FISH BITE.
- I'LL SEE IF I CAN'T GET A HAND ON HIM FOR YOU.
- YEAH.
THAT'S SOMETHING.
- YOU KNOW, HE DIDN'T LOOK THAT BIG IN THERE, DID HE?
- NO, HE DIDN'T.
BUT HE'S A NICE FISH.
- OH, YEAH, HE'S A NICE ONE.
- YEAH, HE'S MUCH BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT HE WAS.
- OKAY.
LOOK AT THIS.
ALL RIGHT, JOE.
THAT'S A GOOD FISH RIGHT THERE.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
THAT FISH IS IN THERE GUARDING THEM FRY.
WE OUGHT TO GET HER RIGHT BACK IN SO SHE CAN PROTECT THEM.
THEM BLUEGILL WILL EAT 'EM UP IN NO TIME.
- YEAH.
- IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THIS TIME OF YEAR TO PUT THESE FISH BACK IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE THEY ARE SITTING ON THEIR NEST.
- [INAUDIBLE] - THAT WAS A HARD-HEADED CHUB RIGHT THERE.
- HERE SHE COMES.
SHE'S GOT--OH!
I GOT HER.
- [laughing] I TELL YOU WHAT.
- WHOO-HOO!
JUMP!
ALL RIGHT!
- YEAH.
IF THAT AIN'T SOMETHING.
- OKAY.
LOOK AT HIM PULL.
LOOK, HE'S GONNA COME UP AND JUMP AGAIN.
- HOW MANY CASTS DID WE MAKE FOR THAT FISH?
- WHOA, HE'S PULLING THE DRAG!
TEN CASTS, MAYBE?
- AT LEAST TEN CASTS.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT FISH, YOU CAN HARDLY SEE HIS HEAD.
JUST HER TAIL UP, 'CAUSE SHE WAS LOCKED DOWN TIGHT.
- WHOO-HOO.
- ALL RIGHT THERE.
- ALL RIGHT, YEAH.
LOOK HOW BLACK ITS TAIL IS.
- YEAH.
- WOW, LOOK AT THE COLORING ON THE TAIL.
LOOK AT THE BLACK SPOTS.
- NOW, DO YOU THINK THAT FISH JUST GOT IN HERE?
'CAUSE HE WAS REALLY LOCKED DOWN ON THAT BED.
- HE WAS REALLY LOCKED DOWN.
- MAYBE JUST STARTING TO FAN?
- AND HE'S NOT-- THE TAIL'S NOT WORE DOWN OR THE LIP'S NOT TOO BAD, SO YEAH, I BELIEVE IT JUST GOT THERE.
- JUST GOT ON THE BED.
- THAT'S A GOOD-LOOKING FISH, ISN'T IT?
- IT'S JUST REALLY BEEN A LATE YEAR.
- YEAH.
THAT'S A FISH THERE THAT YOU CAN'T KEEP.
IT'S IN THE SLOT.
- YEAH.
- NICE.
VERY GOOD.
- GO BACK.
- SHE BIT AT IT.
SHE BIT AT IT.
GET READY, JOE.
NO WAY.
- ABSOLUTELY NO WAY.
- LOOK AT HIM DOWN IN THAT GREEN-- - YEAH.
THAT IS JUST ABOUT UNBELIEVABLE, JOEL.
- WE PUT A WEIGHT ON THERE, AND IT MADE A DIFFERENCE.
- IT DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE-- THE WAY YOU HOLD IT IN THE BED.
- YEAH.
WOW, WHAT A PRETTY FISH.
YOU KNOW, JOE, WHAT WAS THAT?
SECOND CAST IN THERE?
- WITH THE WEIGHT?
YEAH.
- WITH THE WEIGHT.
SO ALL WE DONE WAS TOOK THAT LIZARD WEIGHTLESS, ADDED A LITTLE 1/4 OUNCE SINKER TO IT, AND SECOND CAST, GOT A BITE.
- THE WIND'S PUSHING US, AND THAT WEIGHT JUST LETS YOU HOLD IT RIGHT IN THAT BED.
- RIGHT IN THAT BED, AND THAT FISH MUST BE PROTECTING A LITTLE BITTY SPOT, BECAUSE IT ONLY TOOK TWO CASTS, AND IT BIT IT.
- THIS IS EXCITING.
THIS IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS TOP WATER, YOU KNOW, SCHOOLING FISH.
SHE IS ALL OVER THAT BAIT.
- GOT HER.
- OH, MAN.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?
THAT'S A CAUGHT FISH RIGHT THERE.
- THAT'S A CAUGHT FISH AND A BIG ONE ON TOP OF IT.
- YEAH, A CAUGHT FISH.
- WHOO-HOO!
- HOW MANY TIMES DID WE CATCH THAT FISH?
- OH, I LOST THAT FISH.
- OH, IT'S NOT A CAUGHT FISH.
[laughs] OH, MAN.
NOW WHAT YOU GONNA DO?
- CATCH IT AGAIN.
- GO FIND ANOTHER ONE AND COME BACK.
- I BELIEVE IT'LL BITE AGAIN.
- MAN.
- THAT WAS A BIGGIE.
- YEP, IT WAS A BIGGIE.
- WE'VE GOT A LITTLE PLACE HERE.
THERE'S TWO OF 'EM.
THEY'RE PAIRED UP AND THEY'RE SITTIN' RIGHT THERE ON THE EDGE OF THAT GRASS ON THAT LIGHT SPOT.
- YOU GONNA THROW YOUR WEIGHT ON 'EM?
- I--YOU KNOW WHAT?
- I'M GONNA PUT THIS IN THE BACK AND JUST KIND OF LET IT SIT.
- PUT IT ON IN THERE.
- SEE IF IT GETS THEIR ATTENTION.
- I'M NOT SEEING THE FISH AGAIN.
THEY'VE LEFT OUT.
- YEAH.
- HERE THEY COME.
HERE COMES ONE.
- YEAH.
- THERE WENT ONE THROUGH THERE.
- WENT RIGHT BY MY BAIT.
LOOK AT THAT.
- GOT HER.
- [laughs] - WHOA.
WHICH WAY DID IT GO?
- GETTING THAT HYDRILLA, THE GODZILLA HYDRILLA.
- GODZILLA IS GONE.
- GODZILLA AND THE HYDRILLA.
THERE HE GOES!
- HEY, THAT'S COOL, AIN'T IT?
- THAT IS COOL.
WHAT'S COOL IS HOW YOU'RE CATCHING THESE FISH.
- LOOK AT-- WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE GRASS?
WE GOT THE SALAD AND THE BASS.
- YEP, GOT A WHOLE DINNER RIGHT HERE.
- OH, SHE WANTS TO GO UNDERNEATH THAT STUFF.
- OH, YEAH.
- THAT FISH IS BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS.
- THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE.
THEY'RE SURPRISING ME HOW MUCH BIGGER THEY ARE THAN THEY LOOK.
- YOU GOT HER?
- YEAH.
- WHOO.
LOOKIT THERE.
- IF I GET THAT OL' THUMB ON HER, SHE'S CAUGHT THEN.
- CAUGHT FISH.
SALAD AND THE BASS.
- LOOK AT HER.
- WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THAT ONE HAS BEEN FANNING.
LOOK AT THE TAIL.
- YEAH, LITTLE BIT, YEAH, YEAH.
- GOOD FISH.
THANK YOU, BASS.
- GET IN THERE, FELLA.
JOEL, THESE FISH, IS IT A TIME OF THE YEAR OR TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER THAT MAKES 'EM GO TO THESE BEDS?
- WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS IN THE SPRINGTIME, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SAY, "WELL, WHEN THE DOGWOODS ARE BLOOMING, THE BASS ARE ON THE BED."
WELL, I SEE THAT TO BE TRUE A LOT OF TIMES, BUT WHEN THAT WATER TEMPERATURE GETS INTO THE LOW 60s AND IT HOLDS THERE FOR A WEEK, YOU KNOW, AND WHETHER YOU'RE IN A POND, A RIVER, OR THIS LAKE, WHEN THAT WATER GETS IN THE LOW 60s AND SITS THERE, THESE FISH WILL COME IN THESE COVES, AND IT TAKES THEM MAYBE A WEEK.
THEY'LL CRUISE AROUND.
THEY'LL MAKE--THE BUCKS WILL MAKE THE NEST, AND THE FEMALES, THEY'LL KIND OF COME THROUGH HERE AND SIT ON THIS DEEPER COVER AND JUST BROWSE AROUND.
- MM-HMM.
- AND FULL MOON HAS AN EFFECT ON IT.
USUALLY, I SEE MORE FISH PAIRED TOGETHER DURING A FULL MOON TIME, BUT MID-APRIL TO MID-MAY THROUGHOUT THIS STATE IS USUALLY THE BEST TIME ABOUT EVERY YEAR.
SOME YEARS A LITTLE EARLIER, SOME YEARS A LITTLE LATER.
- GOT IT DRUG IN THE BED NOW.
DOING A REAL GOOD JOB.
- YOU'VE OPENED YOU UP A SPOT TO FISH.
OKAY, SHAKE IT.
SHE GOT IT.
SHE HAD IT.
SHE WAS RUNNING OFF WITH IT.
- SHE'S GOT IT IT BY THE TAIL, YEAH.
SHE'S GRABBING IT BY THE TAIL.
SHE'S GETTING TIRED OF MESSIN' WITH YOU AND ME.
- ALL RIGHT, GET READY.
SHE'S COMING IN, COMING IN.
SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, GET READY, GET READY.
JERK!
JERK!
[laughter] - I SWEAR YOU CAN SEE THEM FISH, BOY.
I DIDN'T SEE HER.
YEAH, I NEVER FELT HER PICK IT UP THEN.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT.
I THOUGHT THE FISH WAS A POUND AND A HALF MAYBE.
- THAT'S A 3-POUNDER.
- YEAH.
- A FIGHTER TOO.
LOOK AT IT.
- YEAH.
- WHOO-HOO.
OH, SHE GOT AWAY!
- OH, COME ON, MAN.
COME ON, MAN.
- LOOK.
WOW, THAT HOOK GOT HER GOOD.
- YEAH.
- THAT'S LIKE A BLACK LIZARD, ISN'T IT?
- YEAH, IT'S A BLACK ZOOM.
- BLACK ZOOM.
LOOK AT THAT.
BEAUTIFUL, FAT.
LOOKS LIKE A FEMALE TO ME.
- IT DOES.
- GOOD JOB.
- FINALLY.
- HERE IT COMES.
GET READY.
HERE SHE GOES.
OH, YOU SCOUNDREL.
ALL RIGHT, SHE'S CAUGHT THIS TIME.
BACK ON IT.
- [laughing and speaking indistinctly] I'VE EVER SEEN.
BOY, YOU WON'T DO.
- ALL RIGHT, WE GOT HER.
- NOT YET.
NOPE, NO.
- GIVE A LOOK.
- ALL RIGHT.
- MALE.
- YEAH.
THAT'S A BIG MALE.
- YEAH.
- PRETTY.
- NICE.
AND THESE ARE THE LITTLE ONES IN THE LAKE.
- YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT--WHEN HE SAID WE WERE GONNA GO OVER AND CATCH BEDDING FISH, I'M LOOKING FOR OLD SOWBELLIES.
- WELL, LET'S GO CATCH A BIG ONE RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW WHERE ONE'S AT.
- ALL RIGHT.
- ALL RIGHT.
- YOU KNOW YOU GONNA GO UP THIS BANK AND SEE JUST IN CASE.
- WELL, WE'RE GONNA DEFINITELY HAVE TO DO THAT.
SHE BUMPED IT.
SHE SURE DID.
THAT MEANS SOMETHING RIGHT THERE, YOU KNOW?
THAT MEANS SHE'S READY.
ALL RIGHT!
FINALLY GOT HER TO EAT IT.
- YEP.
- WHOO-HOO.
EASY.
THAT'S A BIG'UN.
- THAT'S A BETTER ONE.
YEAH, THAT'S A NICE ONE.
- SHE AIN'T READY YET, IS SHE?
- OLD BLACK LIZARD.
- ALL RIGHT.
LOOK AT THAT FISH.
OH, YEAH.
- DID HE GET OFF AGAIN?
- YEAH, ALL RIGHT.
- THAT'S A GOOD FISH.
- LOOK AT THAT.
- MAN, YOU GOT FISH EYES.
YOU CAN SEE THEM FISH IN THERE.
- YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING HOW-- THEY'RE SHALLOW.
THESE FISH ARE SO SHALLOW, AND THE WATER'S PRETTY CLEAR.
UH-OH, WE GOT A LIZARD.
SHE'S WANTING EAT THAT LIZARD.
- STILL TRYING TO GET IT.
- STILL TRYING TO EAT THAT LIZARD.
THAT'S ABOUT A 5-POUNDER.
- THINK SO.
AND SHE HAS DEFINITELY LAID OUT.
- ROUGHED UP.
- LOOK AT THAT TAIL.
- LOOK AT THAT.
- YEP.
- GOOD FISH.
- WE'LL GET HER ON BACK IN THERE PRETTY QUICK.
ALL RIGHT, GIRL, GET BACK IN THERE.
- ALL RIGHT.
GIVE ME FIVE ON THAT ONE.
- YOU CALLED IT.
MAN, YOU CAN SEE THEM.
AND YOU KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER ONE OVER THERE.
- YEAH, THERE IS.
THAT FISH IS SITTING IN, LIKE, 18 INCHES OF WATER RIGHT THERE.
- NO MORE THAN THAT.
- YEP, NO MORE THAN THAT.
RIGHT AT THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THEM LITTLE NEEDLEGRASS.
GOOD JOB.
GREAT DEAL.
LET'S CATCH ANOTHER.
- WHAT A GOOD DAY.
JOE, WE CAUGHT SOME GOOD FISH, BUT THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.
- YEAH, THIS IS THE BEDDING TIME OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE FISH ARE ON THE BEDS, AND YOU'LL CATCH FEMALES AND MALES BOTH, AND AS JOE EMPHASIZED EVERY TIME THEY CAUGHT A FISH, GETTING THE FISH BACK IN THE WATER, WHETHER IT WAS A MALE OR FEMALE.
GENERALLY THE MALES, AFTER THE FEMALES LAY THE EGGS, THE MALES PROTECT THE NEST OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
AND YOU HAVE LIZARDS.
YOU HAVE THE BLUEGILLS.
YOU MENTIONED BLUEGILLS-- LOVE TO GO IN AND EAT THE EGGS, AND SO THE MALES PROTECT THE NEST.
SO ONE THING YOU NEED TO DO WHEN YOU'RE FISHING THIS METHOD IS--AT THAT TIME OF YEAR, IS BE COGNIZANT OF THAT AND RETURN THE FISH AS SOON AS YOU CATCH THEM, BUT A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY OF CATCHING THEM.
- LET'S FIND OUT MORE.
LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.
- WELL, JOEL, IT'S BEEN A GREAT MORNING.
I MEAN, I REALLY ENJOYED THIS TRIP.
I HAD NO IDEA ON THESE BEDDING BASS HOW PROFICIENT YOU HAD TO BE AND HOW PERSISTENT YOU HAD TO BE TO CATCH THEM.
- YEAH, YOU DO.
- NOW, THIS LIZARD, I MEAN, I KNOW BASS AND LIZARD DON'T GO TOGETHER, BUT WE THREW EXCLUSIVELY LIZARDS TODAY, AND I GUESS THERE'S A REASON FOR IT.
- YEAH, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.
I REALLY HAVE ALWAYS OVER THE YEARS FISHED STRICTLY LIZARDS IN APRIL AND MAY, AND EVEN IF I'M FISHING OTHER TECHNIQUES, I'M STILL GONNA BE USING THAT LIZARD.
NOW, THE OLD METHOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN, YOU KNOW, LIZARDS WILL EAT THE BASS'S EGGS ON THEIR BEDS, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE, BUT WHAT I'VE FOUND-- THAT YOU CAN TAKE THESE LIZARDS.
I USE 6-INCH ONES AND I USE 8-INCH ONES, AND SOMETIMES THE BIGGER ONES WORK BETTER, ESPECIALLY IF YOU GOT A LITTLE DARKER WATER.
BUT YOU CAN MIMIC THE COLOR OF THESE BLUEGILL, AND THESE BLUEGILL ARE REALLY TRYING TO EAT THESE BASS'S EGGS AND THEIR LITTLE FRY.
SO WHAT I'LL DO IS, I'LL TAKE THESE GREEN-- WATERMELON GREEN LIZARDS AND OTHER COLORS.
YOU CAN TAKE THIS DIPPIN' DYE.
DIP THE TAIL IN THERE, AND YOU'RE REALLY MATCHING THE COLOR OF A LOT OF THESE LITTLE PUMPKINSEED FISH AND THESE LITTLE BLUEGILL.
AND USUALLY, THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE COLOR IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA RIGHT THERE.
- WOULDN'T DOUBT IT.
- IT AIN'T NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
WATERMELON WITH CHARTREUSE TAIL OR GREEN PUMPKIN, WHICH IS THIS COLOR WITH A CHARTREUSE TAIL, AND IT REALLY WORKS GOOD.
AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THE SUN WAS SHINING AND THE BASS ARE SPAWNING, JUST BY DOING THAT RIGHT THERE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
- THAT FLASH, YEAH.
- YES, SIR.
IT MATCHES THEM BLUEGILLS.
I SURE ENJOYED IT TODAY.
- YES, SIR.
AND I USED A SPINNING REEL AND A BAITCASTER SOME.
YU KNOW, THE WIND GOT UP A LITTLE BIT.
THE BAITS WOULDN'T HOLD.
WE WERE THROWING THEM, YOU KNOW, ALMOST WEIGHTLESS OR REALLY WEIGHTLESS, AND THEN WE WENT TO A LITTLE BIT OF WEIGHT, SO THEN I COULD PICK UP MY BAITCASTER, WHICH I'M MORE COMFORTABLE WITH.
WITH THAT LITTLE BIT OF WEIGHT, I COULD PITCH IT UP THERE AND THAT WEIGHT WOULD HOLD THE BAIT.
- RIGHT IN THE SPOT.
- RIGHT IN THE SPOT.
YOU KNOW, THE SPINNING REEL WORKS WELL.
I MEAN, WE USE A BRAIDED LINE 'CAUSE OF THE GRASS, AND THE HYDRILLA AND STUFF WE'RE FISHING BEHIND, IT JUST CUTS ITS WAY THROUGH WHEN YOU GET A GOOD FISH ON.
- YEAH, YOU KNOW, SPINNING RODS IS ALWAYS BEEN THE WAY TO FISH FOR SPAWNING FISH.
LIGHT LINE, SMALLER BAITS.
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THIS HEAVY COVER LIKE WE HAVE HERE ON SHEARON HARRIS-- AND A LOT OF LAKES-- 8-POUND TEST LINE AND A 6-POUND BASS, YOU'RE GONNA BREAK OFF HALF OF THEM, AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING TO DO.
THAT BRAIDED LINE IS THE DIAMETER OF 2-POUND TEST AND THE STRENGTH OF 10 OR 12, OR YOU CAN GET A LITTLE BIGGER IF YOU'D LIKE, AND IT'LL CUT THROUGH THAT GRASS JUST LIKE A KNIFE BLADE, AND YOU DON'T LOSE MANY FISH.
- WELL, WE REALLY ENJOYED IT.
- I REALLY ENJOYED IT TOO.
- I APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.
- YES, SIR.
ANYTIME.
- THANKS, JOEL, FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.
IF YOU WANT TO TRY THIS TECHNIQUE, GIVE HIM A CALL.
HIS NUMBER'S RIGHT THERE ON YOUR SCREEN.
NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.
SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH A RECIPE ABOUT FISH STICKS.
- HI, TODAY WE'RE GONNA MAKE LEMON FISH STICKS.
THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE FOR YOU TO GET YOUR KIDS IN THE KITCHEN WITH YOU AND COOK UP SOMETHING THAT I THINK THEY'LL REALLY LIKE BUT IS STILL KIND OF NUTRITIONAL AS WELL.
SO WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA COMBINE TWO DIFFERENT BREADERS TODAY.
WE'RE GONNA USE A LEMON PEPPER BREADER, AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO USE THE IN YOUR OVEN BREADER.
SO WE'RE GONNA ADD THOSE IN HERE.
WE'RE GONNA ADD THE LEMON PEPPER FOR SOME FLAVOR AND SOME CRUNCH AS WELL AS WITH THE IN YOUR OVEN.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO COMBINE DIFFERENT FLAVORS TOGETHER, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF SPICES I'M GONNA PUT TOGETHER.
IT'S ALREADY DONE FOR YOU.
THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA SHAKE THAT TOGETHER TO MIX IT ALL UP.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE-- FOLD IT DOWN, BECAUSE IT HELPS KEEP OUR HANDS CLEANER AND JUST A LITTLE BIT NEATER.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR WHITEFISH, AND WHAT I'VE DONE IS, I'VE JUST CUT IT INTO STRIPS.
IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN CUT IT INTO CHUNKS, HOWEVER IT'S EASIEST.
IF YOU HAVE SMALLER CHILDREN, CHUNKS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT THE STRIPS WORK OUT NICELY.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO COAT IT WITH SOME LEMON, AND A GREAT WAY TO USE THIS LEMON INSTEAD OF, LIKE, SLICING IT AND TRYING TO SQUEEZE IT ALL OUT OR USING-- 'CAUSE I LIKE FRESH LEMON JUICE, SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, I'M GONNA TAKE MY LEMON.
I'M JUST GOING TO RUB IT ONTO MY CUTTING BOARD, AND THAT WAY, IT'LL KIND OF SQUEEZE IT TOGETHER, SQUEEZE IT IN THERE FOR YOU.
YOU'RE MAKING YOUR OWN JUICE.
AND THIS IS A GREAT THING IF YOU HAVE KIDS, 'CAUSE YOU KNOW HOW THEY LIKE TO SQUEEZE AND ROLL THINGS.
THEN I'M JUST GONNA CUT OFF THE END, AND IT'S ALREADY SQUEEZED FOR ME.
THEN I'M JUST GONNA SQUEEZE IT ONTO MY FISH, 'CAUSE THE BREADER WILL ADHERE TO IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER IF IT'S WET.
AND THIS WILL ALSO GIVE IT SOME GREAT FLAVOR AS WELL.
SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR FISH AND PLACE IT INTO OUR BAG, AND THIS IS A GREAT QUICK DINNER TOO.
IT'S A GREAT QUICK IDEA.
IF YOU HAVE YOUR KIDS, YOU GUYS GO OUT FISHING, AND THEN THEY WANT TO HAVE-- YOU KNOW, TASTE WHAT THEY CAUGHT, THIS IS A GREAT IDEA 'CAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S KID-FRIENDLY.
MAYBE NOT EVERYBODY'S CHILDREN ARE PICKY LIKE MINE, BUT...
SO WE'RE GONNA SHAKE THIS TO COAT IT.
THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT THING THAT YOUR KIDS CAN DO 'CAUSE THEY LIKE TO-- MY KIDS LOVE TO HELP ME COOK IN THE KITCHEN.
SO THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE THIS OUT ONTO OUR FOIL-LINED BAKING SHEET AND BAKE THIS FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AT 450 DEGREES.
COOKS REALLY FAST AND WILL COOK UP GREAT.
YOU'LL LOVE IT.
AND THEN ONCE YOU HAVE IT BAKED UP, IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE THIS.
LET'S WALK OVER AND LOOK AT THIS.
YOU CAN PUT IT ON A FUN PLATE.
I FOUND THESE PLATES THE OTHER DAY, AND I JUST THINK THEY'RE SO FUN, AND KIDS WILL LOVE IT AND YOU CAN PILE UP YOUR FISH STICKS, ADD SOME BROCCOLI FOR SOME GOOD NUTRITION, AND THEN MAYBE A CHEESE STICK, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT, AND SOME STRAWBERRIES, AND ALWAYS A GOOD DIP SAUCE IS EITHER THOUSAND ISLAND, RANCH, OR, AT MY HOUSE, KETCHUP.
SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE LEMON FISH STICKS, AND I'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.
- THANKS, DONNA, FOR ANOTHER TASTY RECIPE.
JOE, I WANT TO GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT JUST HOW IMPORTANT CATCH-AND-RELEASE IS, THIS TIME OF THE YEAR ESPECIALLY.
- YEAH, IT IS, AND THIS IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN THESE FISH ARE ON THE BEDS AND ARE VERY VULNERABLE, AND THIS IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY OF CATCHING BASS WHEN THEY'RE ON THE BEDS IF YOU SHOW A LOT OF PATIENCE LIKE THESE GUYS DID TODAY, BUT WE WANT TO STRESS THE CATCH-AND-RELEASE ASPECT, BECAUSE IN TODAY'S WORLD, YOU CAN-- IF YOU CATCH A 10-POUND BASS ON A BED, YOU CAN TAKE A PICTURE OF IT.
YOU CAN MEASURE IT, WEIGH IT, AND GET A FIBERGLASS REPRODUCTION, SO A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY OF DOING IT, AND, LIKE I SAID, IF YOU'VE NEVER CAUGHT A BIG BASS, YOU MAY WANT TO TRY IT, BUT DO CONSIDER THE CATCH-AND-RELEASE ASPECT OF IT.
- AND THAT 10-POUNDER COULD BE THE FISH OF YOUR LIFETIME.
- ABSOLUTELY.
- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.
THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
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