[gentle orchestral fanfare] HEY, MAN, IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE ON THIS FISH.

IT STAYS IN THIS SOUND YEAR ROUND.

I'M SURE IT DOES.

IT'S GOT TO.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S THE BEST THEY'VE SEEN SINCE THE 70s.

BUT, UH, OH, THERE HE IS, TED.

GOOD GOD.

AH, THERE YOU GO.

I JUST CHANGED THAT BAIT THE SECOND CAST.

SEE HOW-- HOW CLEAN THAT WATER IS.

I'M TRYING TO GET HIM.

WE GOT A BAIT RIGHT HERE, A BAIT RIGHT THERE, AND A FISH WAS SWIMMIN' ALL IN 'EM.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH, MAN.

YEAH, IT IS A PRETTY FISH.

THAT FISH RIGHT THERE ATE IT ON THE WAY DOWN.

HE WAS THERE PRETTY MUCH WHEN I TIGHTENED UP.

DID HE?

YEAH.

YEAH, THAT'S A REALLY BIG ONE.

14 INCHES.

YEAH, YEAH, NOW SEE THAT'S THE SIZE RIGHT THERE.

I DON'T MIND TURNING THOSE ROE FISH LOOSE.

SOME OF THESE BIGGER FISH THAT YOU KNOW... - [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, AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

TODAY, WE'RE HEADED TO SWAN QUARTER.

WE'RE GONNA BE CATCHING SOME TROUT TODAY, JOE.

THAT'S RIGHT, WE'RE GONNA TARGET THE SPECKLED TROUT TODAY.

THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN JUST ONE-- ONE OF THE BEST IN RECENT MEMORY.

NOT ONLY IN THIS AREA, BUT ALL OVER THE COASTAL AREA OF NORTH CAROLINA, WE'VE HAD TWO OR THREE WINTERS NOW WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY HARD, COLD WEATHER, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, WE DIDN'T LOSE ANY SPECKLED TROUT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE NORTHERN AREAS OF THE SPECKLED TROUT'S RANGE, AND A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE HAVE SEVERE WINTERS, THE FISH THAT ARE UP IN THE SOUNDS, WE'LL LOSE A LOT.

BUT THE LAST THREE OR FOUR WINTERS HAVE BEEN MILD, SO TO SPEAK, AND UH, LOTS OF FISH.

WELL, A LOTTA FISH, AND WE'LL RIG SPECIAL FOR 'EM TODAY.

RIGHT, WE'LL GO IN GEAR TIME.

THE GUYS WILL SHOW US HOW THEY RIGGED UP.

WHAT WE DID TODAY, WE ACTUALLY MIXED IN ARTIFICIAL FISHING, ARTIFICIAL BAITS, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT, WITH SOME CUT BAIT.

THEY'VE BEEN CATCHING SOME LARGER CLASS FISH USING CUT BAIT, FRESH CUT BAIT, AND SO WE KINDA MIXED THE SHOW TODAY.

AND WE'LL CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY USING SHRIMP IN A SALAD.

THAT SHOULD BE GOOD.

GOOD SUMMERTIME RECIPE FOR SHRIMP.

VERY TASTY.

WELL, IF YOU'RE READY, WE'RE GOING FISHING TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

THAT'S A PRETTY MORNING TO BE OVER HERE, TED.

MOST OF THE TIME, CHANCES WE GET TO FISH TOGETHER ANYMORE HAS BEEN OVER THERE IN THE POND IN WINDSOR.

THAT'S RIGHT.

BUT I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT THIS FISHING FOR SO MANY YEARS NOW, WE'VE NEVER DONE IT, SO I FIGURED I'D GET YOU TO HYDE COUNTY AND TRY TO CATCH SOME OF THESE SPECKLES IN THE MARSH.

WELL, YOU KNOW SPECKLED TROUT FISHING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE, AND COMING OVER HERE TO SWAN QUARTER, I BEEN LOOKIN' FORWARD TO THAT.

YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF FISH CAUGHT THIS YEAR.

COURSE IT'S MID-JUNE NOW, AND IT'S KIND OF COOL THIS MORNING, BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FISH CAUGHT THIS YEAR, SOME REALLY PRETTY FISH, YOU KNOW, 4 1/2, 5-POUND FISH BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE, WHICH IS GREAT FISHING.

BUT USING THESE SHRIMP THIS MORNING ON THIS, HAVING TO FISH JUST LIKE WE'RE WORM FISHING, ALMOST, YOU KNOW-- FISHING REAL SLOW.

BUT HAD A FEW BITES, BUT MAYBE WE'LL STICK A GOOD ONE HERE IN JUST A SECOND.

I HOPE SO.

OH, THERE HE IS.

LOOKIT HERE.

GOT A BITE RIGHT THERE, MR. TED.

THERE YOU GO.

GOT HIM ON THERE.

FEELS KIND OF TROUT, I THINK IT'S A SMALL TROUT.

BUT YOU KNOW, HE JUST SUCKED IT IN.

THAT'S A LITTLE, LITTLE DEEP.

WHOA, HE'LL KEEP THAT ONE.

BIGGER THAN MINE.

[chuckles] YOU KNOW, I REALLY DON'T LIKE...

IF YOU GONNA EAT A FEW, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE THING, BUT I REALLY DON'T LIKE KEEPING 'EM.

UNDER ABOUT THAT 14-INCH RANGE.

MM-HMM.

'CAUSE YOU GET SO MUCH MORE MEAT OFF.

THIS ONE AIN'T CROAKIN'.

YUP.

LITTLE MALE FISH.

DRUM ONE.

YEP.

THEY'RE IN THE DRUM FAMILY, AREN'T THEY?

I THINK THEY ARE.

I'M GONNA...

SEND HIM BACK TO GROW UP.

PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL FISH.

PROBABLY THE PRETTIEST FISH THAT, UH... THAT I GET TO FISH FOR.

YOU KNOW?

AS FAR AS THIS IN-SHORE FISHING AROUND HERE.

MM-HMM.

COURSE I LIKE A PUPPY DRUM ABOUT AS GOOD AS ANYTHING.

THAT SPECKLED TROUT FISHING... OH, THERE'S A NICE FISH!

HE NAILED THAT THING.

PULL IT IN.

THAT'S A NICE FISH THERE, BRYAN.

YOU STUCK THAT THING, DIDN'T YOU?

SHAKIN' THAT HEAD, ISN'T HE?

YES SIR, THAT'S THE TELL-TALE TROUT.

HE INHALED IT, TED.

OOH!

SOME OF THAT SHRIMP GOO YOU PUT ON IT.

LOOK HOW DEEP HE TOOK THAT THING.

HE ATE THAT THING SLAM UP.

THESE LITTLE SHRIMP ARE THE TICKET, MAN.

WE FISHED SOME GRUBS EARLIER, AND UH...

I'M GLAD WE SWITCHED OVER TO THESE GUYS.

I KNOW.

BOY, HE ATE THAT THING, BRYAN.

I'M TELLIN' YOU WHAT.

THEY ARE INHALIN'.

THEY REALLY ARE.

THOSE SHRIMP.

HE, UH, HE ATE IT DOWN, RIGHT ON DOWN.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN'T GET HIM OUT OF THERE.

WELL, THE NICE THING ABOUT IT IS HE'S GONNA MAKE IT TO THE FRYING PAN.

YES, HE IS.

[chuckles] WE GONNA KEEP A HANDFUL OF THESE.

I CAN'T GET OVER HOW GOOD THEY'RE EATING THESE SHRIMP.

THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA THAT THERE MUST BE SOME SHRIMP AROUND RIGHT NOW.

YUP, I'VE SHOWED YOU, THERE'S SOME PINK SHRIMP LEFT OVER FROM THE-- FROM THE WINTER THERE.

I THINK WITH AS LITTLE RAIN AS WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR, IT SHOULD BE A GREAT SHRIMPING YEAR.

IT SHOULD BE.

SHOULD BE.

GO TO MEASURE HIM.

SEE WHAT OUR AVERAGE IS AND PUT HIM IN THE COOLER.

WHILE YOU'RE AWAY, I'LL KEEP YOUR SPOT WARM FOR YOU.

[chuckles] I DON'T DOUBT THAT.

BRYAN, I'M GON' CUT A LITTLE CORNER OF THIS PEELER CRAB AND PUT ON THE BOTTOM RIG FOR ONE OF THOSE BIG TROUT.

WE JUST SAW THAT GUY CATCH ABOUT A FIVE-POUNDER.

[chuckles] YEAH, I CAN'T STAND THAT.

HE CAUGHT IT ON A HOGFISH, WHICH IS A REALLY GOOD-- WHICH IS A REALLY GOOD BAIT.

YUP.

I'M GONNA TAKE THESE SCISSORS, AND...

I'M GONNA KEEP ON FISHING, ALL THE FISHING, BUT I'LL THROW THIS OVER THERE.

YOU CAN'T ASK FOR A BETTER BAIT FOR A BIG TROUT THAN THESE PEELER CRAB RIGHT THERE.

NO SIR, YOU SURE CAN'T.

TAKE A ONE-OUNCE SINKER AND MAKE A LITTLE HOMEMADE BOTTOM RIG WITH A COUPLE LOOPS AND A HOOK, LITTLE THREE ODD HOOK, AND AT LEAST WE CAN STICK A COUPLE RODS OUT, TRY TO CATCH A BIG FISH.

THAT APRON'S A REALLY GOOD PIECE OF THAT BAIT TOO.

IT SURE IS.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

YOU BEEN ON THAT PEELER CRAB BEFORE, HAVEN'T YOU?

[chuckles] I IMAGINE.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY, I MIGHT'VE BEEN BORN AT NIGHT, BUT IT WASN'T LAST NIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

A MAN CATCH A FISH THAT BIG BESIDE YOU... TIME TO CHANGE UP.

THAT WAS A NICE FISH.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS-- PRETTY NICE FISH.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS NOTHING BUT A PINFISH OR A CROAKER MESSING WITH IT.

NICE FISH.

CUT A PIECE OF-- I TOLD YOU WHILE WE WERE ARTIFICIAL FISHING I WAS GONNA THROW A LITTLE PIECE OF PINFISH OUT THERE.

LOOKS LIKE A NETTER.

YEAH, YOU BETTER GET THE NET ON HIM.

YEP.

YOU SEE THE WAY HE WAS NIBBLIN' AT IT, NIBBLIN', NIBBLIN'?

I DID.

I SAW HIM JUST NAIL IT.

I DIDN'T KNOW.

YOU SAID HE WAS A CROAKER.

WELL, I WAS MESSIN' WITH YOU.

SOMEBODY TOLD ME YOU WERE AN AVID CROAKER FISHERMAN.

LOOKS TO ME LIKE I'M AN AVID SPECKLED TROUT FISHERMAN.

YES, IT LOOKS LIKE IT, DOES... [laughter] HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?

THAT'S PRETTY.

[grunting] LOOKS PRETTY GOOD, HE'S ABOUT WHAT?

17, 18 INCHES, ISN'T HE?

HE SURE IS.

NICE FISH.

HE FOUGHT PRETTY GOOD.

NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH THAT NET ALL IN HIS TEETH.

SEE THAT?

THAT WAS ON A PIECE OF CUT PINFISH, WHERE EARLIER WE THREW THE PEELER CRABS ON 'EM.

RIGHT.

AND THE CROAKERS AND STUFF WERE WORKING US REAL BAD.

AND UH, BUT THAT'S, YOU KNOW... THAT'S A SKINNY--I WOULD GUESS THAT'S A SPAWNED OUT FEMALE, AND UH, SPAWNED ON THAT LAST MOON.

PRETTY FISH.

YEAH, YEAH IT IS.

SURE IS.

THAT SPECKLED TROUT IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST SWIMMING FISH OUT HERE.

I KNOW.

IT'S FUNNY, DON'T TAKE 'EM LONG TO LOSE THEIR COLOR.

AND WHEN THE SUN HITS THEM, THEY GOT ALL THAT IRIDESCENCE THROUGH HERE.

MM-HMM.

PURPLE ALL IN THEIR HEAD, ALL UP THROUGH HERE.

JUST BEAUTIFUL FISH.

IT'S GREAT FISH.

IF YOU'LL SLIP HIM IN THE COOLER FOR ME...

I CAN DO THAT.

YOU CAUGHT HIM, I'LL THROW HIM IN THE COOLER.

ANOTHER BOAT RUNNIN' BY US UP HERE.

CATCH THAT ONE?

GOT A PIECE OF CROAKER ON THAT ONE?

YEAH, ANOTHER PIECE OF CUT BAIT.

THE CRAZY THING IS I KEEP LOOKING AT THE CRABS MESSING WITH IT, CRABS MESSING WITH IT-- I BETTER GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.

AND UH--BUT YOU CAN TELL, MAN, THAT FISH HE'LL PULL IT OVER AND KEEP GOING WITH IT.

THAT NET....

IT'S GOT A DIFFERENT KIND OF THUMP TO IT.

MIGHT BE A NETTER, ISN'T HE?

OOH, HE'S--I MEAN, IT'S A PRETTY FISH TO ME.

YUP.

YEAH.

PRETTY FISH TO ME, BUBBA.

NICE FISH.

WEIGHT'S HUNG UP IN THERE.

SEE IF YOU CAN GET THAT WEIGHT OUT OF THERE FOR ME, BIG DADDY.

YOU SEE, INSTEAD OF FILLETING, THE LAST COUPLE PIECES I PUT ON THERE, THEY'VE BEEN STEAKED.

MM-HMM.

ON THAT CROAKER-- I SAW IT.

CROAKER, PINFISH, HOGFISH...

COURSE ANYTIME YOU GET FISH, A FRESH, LIVE MULLET IT'LL WORK LIKE A CHAMPION.

BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A CAST NET WITH US THIS MORNING.

DO THIS A DIFFERENT... NO, THAT'VE BEEN NICE IF WE HAD THAT.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH, ISN'T IT.

YES, THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

I'VE GOT ONE-- ONE SNAGGLETOOTH FOR YOU.

[chuckles] YEAH, THEY'RE GETTING LEAN.

THEY'RE GETTING THAT SUMMERTIME LOOK TO 'EM.

IT'S PRETTY.

YES, SIR, I BELIEVE I'LL DO THAT AGAIN.

YUP.

NICE FISH, BRYAN.

GOT A LITTLE WEATHER CHANGE.

LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THIS MORNING.

IT'S CLEARED UP A BIT.

CLEARED UP A LOT, MAN.

IT WAS CLEAR WHEN WE LEFT HOME.

DRIZZLED SOMEWHERE AROUND ENGLEHARD.

DRIZZLED A TIME OR TWO THIS MORNING, YOU KNOW, MID-MORNING.

BUT FISHING WAS JUST KIND OF MEDIOCRE.

NOW, IT'S PRETTY, PROBABLY MID 70s.

IT WAS COOL THIS MORNING, WASN'T IT?

YEAH, IT WAS COOL.

IT WAS COOL, BUT IT'S CLEARED UP, MID 70s.

WIND SHIFTED AND CHANGED THE CURRENT DIRECTION RUNNING AROUND THESE ISLANDS.

WE'RE STARTING TO GET A FEW MORE BITES AGAIN ON THE ARTIFICIALS.

STARTING TO PICK UP A BIT.

I JUST MISSED ONE RIGHT HERE THAT BIT.

IT LOOKED LIKE A NICE FISH.

RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE BOAT.

LITTLE SPECKLES RIGHT HERE.

(man) WE PICKED UP A FEW NICE ONES.

OVER 18 INCHES.

GOT US A PRETTY FISH.

[groaning] YEAH, THAT'S GOOD.

HERE YOU GO, BRYAN.

WANT ME TO GET A NET?

OH, IT'S A LITTLE NICER THAN THE OTHER ONES BUT WE CAN, UH... LET ME CHECK HIM OUT HERE.

I BELIEVE HE'LL-- I CAN PULL HIM IN, HOLD ON.

CAN YOU?

YEAH.

WHOA!

HE'LL KEEP IF YOU WANT HIM.

MM-HMM.

HE'LL BE IN THAT 14-INCH RANGE.

HE'S A LITTLE NICER THAN THOSE OTHER ONES THERE.

UH, BRYAN?

YEAH, THAT'S A LITTLE BETTER THAN THAT-- THAT--WHAT DID YOU CALL 'EM?

DINKS, WHILE AGO?

DINKS, YEAH.

YEAH, HE IS A LITTLE BIT BETTER FISH.

I HAD A GREAT BITE ON THAT, UH...

HE'S FAT.

CROAKER.

YEAH, HE'S 14 INCHES.

I MEAN, HE'S...

HE'S 14.

HE'D BE A PRETTY... FRYIN' SIZE IF YOU WANT TO EAT ONE.

WELL, WE NEED ONE MORE FOR A MESS, DON'T WE?

YEAH.

THIS ONE IS STUCK PRETTY GOOD.

I LET HIM-- SEE HIM FLASHING DOWN THERE?

OH, YEAH.

HE'S NOT FIVE POUNDS, BUT HE'S BIGGER THAN THE LAST ONE YOU CAUGHT.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST CROAKER YOU'VE CAUGHT TODAY.

YES, IT IS.

SURE IS.

BIG CROAKER.

BIG CROAKER.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CROAKER.

[chuckles] PRETTY FISH.

LOOK AT HIM.

THROWING TO TRY TO THROW THAT HOOK.

YEAH, MAN, THAT'S 16, 17 INCHES.

YES, SIR.

WE'LL TAKE HIM, WON'T WE?

YES, SIR.

WE CERTAINLY WILL TAKE HIM.

TELL YOU WHAT'S THE TRUTH.

I BET I'VE MISSED FOUR FISH THAT HAVE DONE THE SAME EXACT THING HE DID.

ON THAT CROAKER.

PULLED THAT THING DOWN, ROD WOULD GO RIGHT ON DOWN, HE LET IT GO.

LET IT GO.

YUP.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT MANY SPOTS ON THAT SIDE, DOES HE?

BEAUTIFUL FISH.

I LOVE THE WAY THEIR SPOTS ARE ALL IN THEIR FINS.

YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN-- PEOPLE, SAY, TALK ABOUT A GRAY TROUT AND A SPECKLED TROUT LOOKING SO MUCH ALIKE, A GRAY TROUT DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT ANYTHING IN HIS FINS LIKE THAT.

RIGHT.

PRETTY.

PRETTY WORK, BRYAN.

YEAH, MAN.

YES, SIR.

SNAGGLETOOTH.

GOT ONE TOOTH.

HI, FISH.

IF I HAD TO GUESS, TELL THEM I LET THIS FISH GO 'CAUSE THAT FISH IS FULL OF ROE.

I CAN FEEL IT.

IT'S JUST FAT WITH ROE.

WE'RE GONNA LET HER GO.

SHE'S IN HERE FOR A REASON.

AND UH...

I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM DOING THAT.

WE'VE GOT A FEW TO EAT.

YEP, WE DO.

SHE IS SLAM FULL OF ROE.

[water splashing] BRYAN, WHEN DO THE TROUT SHOW UP IN HERE?

THERE'S FISH IN THE SOUND OVER HERE YEAR ROUND.

AROUND US, OREGON INLET, HATTERAS INLET, ALL THE FISH'LL GO OUT IN THE WINTER TIME.

MM-HMM.

AND WINTER IN THE OCEAN, THESE FISH WILL STAY IN HERE YEAR ROUND.

THERE HE IS RIGHT THERE, TED.

MM-HMM.

THEY'LL UH...

IT'S COMING UP.

THAT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A BIG ONE.

BUT THIS TIME OF DAY-- WE'LL TAKE HIM.

HE'S 14 INCHES, ANYWAYS.

IS HE?

I THINK SO.

MIGHT BE.

OH, BABY, NICE.

GONNA BE RIGHT AT 12.

HE'S JUST BIG ENOUGH TO GO BACK IN THE WATER.

PRETTY FISH.

YEAH, MAN, THAT'S THE PERFECT LITTLE SIZE.

THAT'S A SUMMERTIME FISH, YOU KNOW, THAT WE CATCH SO MANY OF OVER HERE ALL SUMMER LONG.

TO GET BACK TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THESE FISH ARE HERE ALL SUMMER LONG.

CATCH 'EM A LOT EARLY IN THE MORNINGS.

AND THEN THEY KIND OF SAIL BACK OFF TO BANKS, BACK ON THE DEEPER OYSTER BEDS AND STUFF DURING THE DAY WHEN THE WATER GETS HOT.

RIGHT.

AND UM... MAY, APRIL, THEY START CATCHING 'EM, YOU KNOW, FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY.

UM... MAY IS PROBABLY THE BEST MONTH FOR BIG FISH.

BEFORE A LOT LESS BIG FISH'LL SPAWN.

THEY HAD A TREMENDOUS FISHERY OVER HERE THIS YEAR.

TED, I TELL YOU WHAT.

I THINK THIS SPECKLED TROUT FISHING IS GOOD AS IT'S BEEN THAT I CAN REMEMBER.

I'M A YOUNG BUCK, SO THAT'S NOT VERY LONG.

[chuckles] BUT, UH...

PROBABLY AS GOOD AS YOU CAN REMEMBER, WHICH IS A LONG TIME.

BUT I THINK IT'S A FUNCTION OF THE MILD WINTERS.

WE'VE HAD THREE PRETTY MILD WINTERS, AND NO FREEZES, NO SNOWSTORMS.

AND IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE ON THIS FISH THAT STAYS IN THE SOUND YEAR ROUND.

I'M SURE IT DOES.

IT'S GOT TO.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S THE BEST THEY'VE SEEN SINCE THE 70s.

BUT UH... OH, THERE HE IS, TED.

GOOD GOD.

OH, THERE YOU GO.

I JUST CHANGED THAT BAIT THE SECOND CAST.

YEAH.

SEE HOW CLEAN THAT WATER IS.

I'M TRYING TO GET HIM.

WE GOT A BAIT RIGHT HERE, A BAIT RIGHT THERE, AND A FISH WAS SWIMMIN' ALL IN 'EM.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH, MAN.

YEAH, IT IS A PRETTY FISH.

THAT FISH RIGHT THERE ATE IT ON THE WAY DOWN.

HE WAS THERE PRETTY MUCH WHEN I TIGHTENED UP.

DID HE?

YEAH.

YEAH, THAT'S A REALLY...

THINK WHAT, 14 INCHES?

YEAH, YEAH, SEE, NOW THAT'S THE SIZE RIGHT THERE.

I DON'T MIND TURNING THOSE ROE FISH LOOSE.

SOME OF THOSE BIGGER FISH THAT YOU KNOW IS FULL OF ROE.

BUT WHEN YOU GET 'EM LIKE THAT, 14, 15 INCH CLASS, ONE GOOD FILLET RIGHT THERE WITH SOME LEMON PEPPER ON THE GRILL AND A LITTLE BUTTER.

LITTLE BUTTER.

[chuckles] THAT'S TOUGH TO BEAT.

JOE, THAT WAS A GOOD DAY OF FISHING.

THAT MORNING OVERCAST HELPED A LOT.

IT DID.

IT KIND OF EXTENDED THE FISHING THAT MORNING.

YOU KNOW, THE SUMMERTIME, UM, THE WATER TEMPERATURE STARTS WARMING UP, YOU KNOW, THAT SUN CAN REALLY CONTROL THE FISHING FOR THE DAY.

AND WE DID HAVE SOME OVERCAST UP UNTIL ABOUT MID-MORNING.

I THINK IT MADE A DIFFERENCE THAT DAY, BUT BY MIXING THE ARTIFICIAL LURES AND THE CUT BAIT, WE ENDED UP CATCHING SOME GOOD FISH.

UM...

THERE'VE BEEN A LOT OF FOUR- AND FIVE-POUND TROUT CAUGHT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COASTAL SYSTEM THIS YEAR, AND WE DIDN'T CATCH ANY THAT DAY, BUT AS YOU SAW, WE HAD ONE NEXT TO US A BOAT NEXT TO US THAT CAUGHT ONE, SO A LOT OF GOOD FISH OUT THERE, SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE, GO TRY IT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT GOING AND TRYING.

LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE THE RIGHT GEAR WITH US.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

BRYAN, WE CAUGHT A NICE BATCH OF FISH TODAY, CAUGHT WITH PLASTICS AND CUT BAIT.

WE TRIED SOME NEW STUFF TODAY WITH THE CUT BAIT.

WE HEARD THEY BEEN CATCHING SOME BIGGER FISH ON CUT BAIT.

AND WE BROUGHT THE STUFF TO TRY THAT JUST IN CASE AND ENDED UP TRYING IT AND CAUGHT SOME NICE FISH.

I'M GLAD WE DID IT.

IT WORKED OUT PRETTY GOOD.

THIS MORNING WE GOT OVER HERE, YOU KNOW, IT WAS EAST WIND.

AND WHICH HITTING THE BEST FISHING WIND OVER HERE.

PRIMARILY IT WAS OVERCAST.

IT'S BEEN COOL NIGHTS.

WATER TEMPERATURE WAS A LITTLE LOW.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

AND I'M GLAD I HAD MY JACKET WITH ME THIS MORNING.

BUT THE SUN CAME OUT LATER ON.

THE FISH KIND OF CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.

I WAS GLAD THAT WE HAD THE PLAN OF USING THE CUT BAIT TODAY.

AND WE CAUGHT SOME CROAKERS AND SOME PINFISH.

AND CHOPPED THOSE DUDES UP, EITHER FILLETS OR STEAKS DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE FISH.

AND THAT WORKED REALLY WELL.

WE GOT SOME BIG BITES.

IRONICALLY, I THINK THAT PROBABLY THE BIGGEST TWO FISH WE CAUGHT ALL DAY WERE CAUGHT ON THOSE BIT SHRIMP.

THAT'S A REALLY NEAT BAIT.

I CAUGHT MY BIGGEST ONE ON THAT GREEN WITH THAT FOIL IN IT.

MM-HMM.

YEAH, I WAS PUTTING A SPLIT SHOT IN FRONT OF MINE TO GET IT DOWN IN THAT EIGHT OR TEN FOOT OF WATER, RIGHT.

AND YOU BARELY-- IT'S JUST LIKE WORM FISHING.

YOU BARELY MOVED THAT THING.

MAN, IT GRABBED IT SAIL ON.

IT TOOK US A MINUTE TO GET ON THAT BITE WITH THEM, BUT WE DID.

MM-HMM.

AND I THINK I CAUGHT MOST OF MY FISH ON THAT D.O.A.

THAT D.O.A., IT'S A TOUGH BAIT.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, AND IT'S BEEN ON MANY A TROUT.

YOU KNOW, FLOUNDER, REDFISH, EVERYTHING CAUGHT ON THAT.

BUT I THREW MOST OF THE TIME, AS FAR AS OUR-- I DID THROW THAT, THAT BAIT SHRIMP IN A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN YOU HAVE.

RIGHT.

FOR A WHILE.

AND CAUGHT SOME NICE FISH ON IT.

ALSO THREW-- EVERYBODY'S GOING CRAZY OVER THE BERKLEY GULP BAITS, WHICH ARE GREAT BAITS.

UM, THIS IS A BERKLEY POWER BAIT, WHICH IS IMPREGNATED PLASTIC, WHERE THE GULP IS A WATER-BASED MATERIAL.

THAT HAS PHEROMONE-TYPE STUFF IN IT.

AND BOTH OF THEM ARE GREAT.

THIS IS JUST THAT OLD COCAHOE MINNOW KIND OF PATTERN.

IT'S A GREAT TROUT SHAPE AND SIZE.

AND IT'S GOT SOME SCENT, SOME HOLOGRAPHICS IN IT.

COUPLE DIFFERENT COLORS I USED TODAY.

AND A HALF-OUNCE HEAD IN THIS DEEPER WATER MOST OF THE TIME, BUT A QUARTER WHEN THERE'S NO CURRENT.

A QUARTER WORKS PRETTY GOOD.

SO...

THEY TURNED ON AND OFF.

WE KEPT TRYING NEW STUFF.

WE EVEN TRIED SOME-- THEY GOT ALL KINDS OF THE GELS AND SCENTS OUT.

YOU WERE RUBBING THAT GEL ON THAT SHRIMP.

AND COUPLE FIRST CAST-- YOU CAST A COUPLE TIMES TO GET A FEW BITES AND IT WOULD WEAR OFF, AND YOU PUT IT BACK ON THERE.

YEAH, AND THAT WORKED WELL FOR A LITTLE PERIOD AND THEN WE WENT ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

OH YEAH--IT'S FUNNY, RIGHT AT THE END, I EVEN PUT THAT MUD MINNOW.

WE CAUGHT A FISH THAT HAD A MUD MINNOW IN IT.

AND THREW THAT THING OUT THERE AND HAD A FISH ON THE FIRST CAST.

THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU HAD SEVERAL BITES ON THAT AND THEN IT WENT COLD.

YEAH.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY.

I'M GLAD WE CAME.

AND I'M ABOUT READY TO HEAD BACK TO THE DOCK.

HOW 'BOUT YOU?

I AM TOO.

BEEN A GREAT DAY, ENJOYED IT.

ENJOYED IT.

YES, SIR.

YES, SIR.

THANKS, GUYS, FOR THAT INFORMATION.

NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

THIS IS A RECIPE YOU'LL WANNA WRITE DOWN.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE USING SHRIMP, CITRUS, AND MAKING A GREAT SALAD.

HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING A SHRIMP CITRUS SALAD.

IT'S A GREAT SALAD, HAS LOTS OF GREAT FLAVORS AND TEXTURES IN IT.

I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GONNA ENJOY IT.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR SCALLIONS AND WE'RE GONNA SLICE THOSE REALLY THIN.

WE'RE GONNA ADD JUST A LITTLE BIT, ABOUT A TABLESPOON OR SO OF SOME VINEGAR.

AND I USE SOME WHITE WINE VINEGAR, BUT IF YOU HAVE SOME SEASONED OR SOME CITRUS VINEGAR THAT YOU REALLY LIKE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT AS WELL.

WE'RE JUST GONNA MARINATE THOSE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OR SO, AND PLACE THOSE INTO OUR BOWL.

AND SO YOU CAN SEE THOSE HAVE SOME GREAT FLAVOR.

THEY'VE SOAKED UP A LOT OF THAT VINEGAR AS WELL.

WE'RE ALSO GONNA ADD IN ABOUT TWO TABLESPOONS OR SO OF OLIVE OIL.

AND IF YOU HAVE SOME FLAVORED OILS, YOU CAN USE THOSE AS WELL.

WE'RE GONNA ADD IN SOME LEMON WEDGES.

THAT WE HAVE JUST PEELED OUR LEMON AND THEN CUT IT INTO WEDGES, SOME LIME, SO YOU CAN SEE IT HAS LOTS OF GREAT FLAVORS GOING ON IN HERE.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA MIX THIS TOGETHER.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO POUR IT OVER OUR LETTUCE GREENS.

AND I'M ALSO GONNA TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER GREAT THINGS THAT WE'RE GONNA PUT IN THIS SALAD.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THAT IN THERE AND WE'RE GONNA GIVE THAT A QUICK TOSS.

JUST TO COVER OUR GREENS.

AND I LIKE TO USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GREENS.

THESE HAVE COME, ACTUALLY, OUT OF MY KIDS' GARDENS.

SO THEY HARVESTED THESE FOR ME.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA COAT THOSE LIGHTLY AND YOU CAN SEE THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT FLAVORS AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF GREENS IN HERE, WHICH WILL GIVE YOUR SALAD A LITTLE BIT MORE INTEREST AS WELL.

I ALSO HAVE ROASTED SOME BEETS.

NOW IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE THIS, THIS IS A GREAT THING.

YOU BUY BEETS AT THE STORE, YOU JUST CUT OFF THE STALKS, AND YOU JUST PRICK IT LIKE YOU WOULD IF YOU WERE BAKING A BAKED POTATO.

SO YOU'RE JUST GONNA TAKE YOUR KNIFE AND JUST KIND OF POKE ALONG THERE JUST SO WHEN THEY START TO COOK, THE STEAM CAN ESCAPE.

AND THEN YOU BAKE THEM AT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 20, 25 MINUTES, 30 MINUTES, UNTIL THEY'RE JUST NICE AND TENDER.

YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO BE TOO SOFT.

AND BRING THEM OUT, LET THEM COOL, AND AS THEY COOL, THE SKIN WILL KIND OF SHRIVEL A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN THEY'RE EASIER TO PEEL.

AND THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE PEELED.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA QUARTER THESE.

AND YOU CAN SLICE 'EM, YOU CAN DICE 'EM.

THEY ARE WONDERFUL.

THEY HAVE A GREAT FLAVOR.

THERE'S ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEETS TOO.

YOU CAN BUY SOME GOLDEN BEETS, WHICH ARE LIKE AN ORANGEY YELLOW, WHICH IS REALLY PRETTY TOO.

SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE THOSE ON OUR SALAD.

WE'RE GONNA PUT THOSE IN OUR BOWL AS WELL.

THEN WE'RE ALSO GONNA ADD IN SOME GRAPEFRUIT SECTIONS.

AND YOU CAN BUY THESE IN A JAR IF YOU'D LIKE.

OR YOU CAN, IF GRAPEFRUIT IS IN SEASON, THAT'S A GREAT THING TO PEEL AND DO THOSE YOURSELF.

I JUST BOUGHT THESE 'CAUSE THEY'RE READILY AVAILABLE.

AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT QUICK AND EASY MEALS THAT WE CAN PREPARE.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS THOSE IN THERE AND COAT THOSE TOO.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA SERVE THIS ON A PLATTER OR YOU CAN PORTION IT OUT IF YOU'D LIKE ONTO INDIVIDUAL PLATES.

I JUST LIKE TO SERVE MINE ON A BIG PLATTER 'CAUSE I THINK IT HAS MORE OF AN IMPRESSION.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE THIS ONTO OUR PLATTER.

AND THEN, INSTEAD OF HAVING CRACKERS OR BREAD, WE'RE GONNA SERVE OURS WITH SOME YUMMY HUSH PUPPIES WITH ONION FLAVOR IN 'EM.

AND THEY'RE ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN USING YOUR BASIC BREAD OR SOME CRACKERS.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE THAT ON THERE.

AND YOU CAN SEE IT JUST LOOKS REALLY YUMMY.

AND THIS CAN BE A MAIN-- AN ENTREE SALAD, WHICH IS NICE.

AND WE'RE ALSO GONNA TAKE SOME SHRIMP THAT'S COLD, THAT WE HAVE BOILED, PEELED AND BOILED, AND YOU CAN SEE IT'S JUST A GREAT, FUN LITTLE SALAD, SOMETHING WHEN IT'S NICE AND WARM OUTSIDE AND YOU WANT SOMETHING COOL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA SERVE THEM WITH SOME GREAT HUSH PUPPIES ON THE SIDE.

SO THERE IT IS, YOUR ENTREE SALAD FOR YOUR SHRIMP AND CITRUS SALAD.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

THANKS, DONNA.

THAT'S ONE OF THOSE RECIPES YOU WANNA TRY TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK TO TALKING ABOUT THE SHRIMP THAT WE USED THAT DAY.

THAT'S RIGHT, WE, AS WE SAID EARLIER, WE MIXED ARTIFICIALS WITH CUT BAIT THAT DAY, AND WE TRIED A NEW SHRIMP LURE PUT OUT BY THE BETTS TACKLE COMPANY OUT OF FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA.

AND IT'S GOT BUILT-IN SCENT TO IT.

IT'S A LITTLE SOFTER.

ACTUALLY, IT'S CALLED THE HALO SHRIMP.

EVERYBODY'S PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THE D.O.A.

SHRIMP.

WE'VE BEEN USING THAT FOR YEARS.

BUT THE HALO, WHAT WE NOTICED, THE FISH REALLY LIKED IT.

IT'S GOT THIS BUILT-IN ODOR TO IT.

IT'S A LITTLE SOFTER BAIT COMPARED TO THE D.O.A.

THE D.O.A.

IS A PRETTY HARDY BAIT.

IT'LL STAY ON THE HOOK PRETTY GOOD.

THE HALO, WE FOUND OUT, WAS PRETTY, PRETTY TENDER, HAD A TENDENCY, IF A TROUT HIT IT REALLY HARD, IT COULD TEAR IT, BUT NOTICED IT DID HAVE A LOT MORE ACTIVITY THAN THE D.O.A., SO THERE'S LOTS OF SPECKLED TROUT BAITS OUT ON THE MARKET.

BUT THAT DAY, AGAIN, MIXING IT WITH CUT BAIT, WE CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH, AND HAD A GREAT TIME, AND IF YOU GET A CHANCE, TRY THE HALO.

IT MIGHT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU.

NO QUESTION IT WORKED THAT DAY.

IT DID.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

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FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

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