[PIANO INTRO] - [laughing] WHERE IS HE?

CAN YOU SEE IT?

- GOT A TWIST ON HERE.

TAKE ME RIGHT OVER THERE TO IT.

HE'S STILL ON.

HE'S TAKING LINE.

IF I COULD GET MY TWIST OFF WHATEVER IT'S ON THERE-- BUT I CAN'T SEE.

- CAN YOU GET HIM?

[laughing] DID YOU CATCH THAT FISH?

[laughing] HOLY COW.

YOU CAUGHT THAT FISH.

- THAT'S THE ONE THAT FINALLY GOT HOOKED UP.

I'M--HE WENT UP BACK UNDER THAT LOG.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESCOURCES COMMISSION.

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ - HELLO, WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM, IF YOU LIKE FISHING IN A MILLPOND, YOU'RE GONNA LIKE TODAY'S SHOW.

JOE, WE'RE GOING AFTER SOME JACKS.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

JACKS OR CHAIN PICKEREL.

WE'RE GONNA BE FISHING OUTSIDE LAUREL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, IN A MILLPOND THAT WAS ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED IN THE LATE 1700s.

I MEAN, REAL OLD.

GOT A LOT OF HISTORY BEHIND IT.

AND THE POND IS FULL OF JACKS, CHAIN PICKEREL.

ALSO, THAT DAY WE WERE SURPRISED BY THE BASS THAT WE CAUGHT TOO ALONG WITH IT.

BUT, HAD A GOOD DAY.

IT WAS IN MARCH.

HAD A LITTLE BIT OF WIND TO DEAL WITH, BUT ENDED CATCHING SOME FISH AND HAD A LOT OF FUN.

- GEAR TIME TODAY WON'T BE THAT HIGH-TECH.

- NO, NO HIGH-TECH EQUIPMENT HERE, JUST STANDARD.

ONE OF THE GUYS WAS FISHING SPINNING.

ONE OF THE GUYS WAS FISHING CONVENTIONAL BAIT CASTING.

SO NOTHING SPECIALIZED THERE.

THE BAIT OF THE DAY TURNED OUT TO BE A REAL POPULAR LURE THAT'S BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT HERE SHORTLY.

- AND IF YOU TAKE RED SNAPPER AND ADD SOME FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, YOU GOT A SPECIAL RECIPE DONNA'S GOT FOR US TODAY.

- RIGHT, SHE'S PUTTING THOSE TWO TOGETHER, AND IT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD TO ME.

- GET PEN AND PAPER.

A RECIPE THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE, AND SOME MILLPOND FISHING TODAY, ALL ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- WOW, BOB, THIS IS A MORNING FOR FISHING.

SLIGHT BREEZE, PROBABLY 50 DEGREES, JUST A PRETTY, LITTLE MILLPOND WE'RE IN HERE.

- EIGHT TO TEN ACRES, SITTING OUTSIDE OF LAUREL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA.

THIS POND WAS BUILT IN THE LATE 1780--1780, BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

IT'S FULL OF JACK FISH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

- WELL, I LIKE THAT.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE ACTUALLY TARGETED A JACK FISH, BUT I ALWAYS ENJOY TARGETING A SPECIES, AND CATCHING HIM MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

AND HE'S SUCH A PREDATOR OF A FISH.

- TOP LINE, BUDDY.

LET'S GO HAVE SOME FUN.

- I HEAR THAT.

I SAW ONE BREAK RIGHT OVER THERE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, A FISH OF SOME KIND.

- [chuckling] - I'M READY.

I'M STARTING OUT-- - LET'S GO.

YEP.

I'M GONNA TRY A LITTLE CRANKBAIT, SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT.

FISH ON, BROTHER.

- THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG, DID IT?

- NO, WE GOT A FISH.

WATER TEMPERATURE'S ABOUT 58.

THESE FISH ARE JUST STARTING TO REALLY COME TO LIFE.

AND THAT ONE'S GONE DOWN IN THE MOSS, BUDDY.

I MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A LITTLE HELP ON THIS ONE.

- WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE IT WAS?

- IT FELT LIKE A JACK FISH, BUT IT'S ACTING LIKE A BASS.

I CAN'T TELL YOU--LET'S SEE.

- IT'S PRETTY CLEAR WATER, GOOD AND DARK.

- YEAH, YOU KNOW THAT-- OH, THERE'S A LITTLE JACK FISH, BOYS.

LITTLE JACK FISH.

- HE'S A PRETTY, LITTLE FISH.

- YOU KNOW, PRETTY YOUNG LITTLE JACK.

NOT A BAD START.

- EVEN AT HIS SIZE, THEY'RE JUST AN AMAZING... LOOK AT THAT BLACK BAR ACROSS HIS EYES THERE.

I KNEW THERE ARE A LOT BIGGER FISH IN HERE, BUT NOT BAD ABOUT SECOND OR THIRD CAST.

- NO KIDDING.

LOOK AT HIS TEETH.

EVEN WHEN THEY'RE LITTLE-BITTY LIKE THAT.

THERE HE GOES.

ADIOS.

CATCH ANOTHER ONE.

- THAT WASN'T TOTALLY INTENTIONAL, BUT... - AH, HERE WE GO.

YOU READY?

- I'M LOOKING FOR ONE I'M SCARED OF.

- [laughing] WHAT DO YOU GOT THERE, KURT?

- LOOK LIKE A LITTLE JACK.

YEAH, A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN THAT LAST ONE.

I LOST ONE A SECOND AGO.

- CHAIN PICKEREL.

BOY, THOSE THINGS ARE FUN.

- I'M LOOKING FOR ONE WE CAN'T LIFT.

- [chuckling] - WELL, THAT WAS A NICE RELEASE ON IT.

- YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY, THOSE THINGS, SOMETIMES THEY'LL TAKE THAT HOOK, AND SOMETIMES THEY GIVE IT RIGHT BACK.

- THIS THING DOESN'T HAVE REAL BIG HOOKS ON IT ANYHOW.

THIS IS SOME OF THE PRETTIEST PLACE WE'VE HAD TO FISH IS-- A LITTLE DEEPER HERE.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF CHANNEL RIGHT HERE.

- MM-HMM, WELL, THERE'S A CREEK THAT RUNS THROUGH HERE THAT'S--EVEN OVER THE YEARS STILL HAS A LITTLE BIT OF DEFINITION TO IT.

SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT.

IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF IT'S-- THOSE THINGS ARE LAYING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

WHOA, I'M TRYING TO KEEP THAT THING UP.

LOOK AT THAT FISH GOING DOWN, BUDDY.

- MAYBE HE'S WORKING THE HOOK INTO HIM AS YOU'RE DOING IT TO THAT.

- OH, HE'S WRAPPED UP.

NO, HE'S GOING.

HE'S GOING.

HE'S GOING.

DAD-GUM, COME ON, FELLER.

HE'S--I STILL SEE A TAIL MOVING.

- NOT MUCH I CAN DO TO HELP YOU UP THERE.

IF YOU DRIVE PAST HIM, I'LL TRY AND GET MY HAND DOWN THERE AND GET A NECK HOLD ON HIM.

- HE'S STILL ON.

TRY TO KEEP IT TIGHT.

- YES.

OH, OH, EASY.

I GOT TAIL.

- [laughing] - STILL HUNG UP IN THE LILLY PAD THERE.

YOU HAD HIM FOUL-HOOKED SO HE COULDN'T GET HEAD IN IT.

LOOK AT THE HEAD ON IT.

THAT'S KIND OF A POOR FISH.

LOOK HOW HE'S MOSTLY HEAD.

- SURE IS.

DID YOU SEE WHAT HE DID, THOUGH?

HE CAME UP AND SWIPED AT IT, AND I STOPPED.

AND HE CIRCLED RIGHT AROUND AND CAME RIGHT BACK, AND WHEN HE SWEPT BY AGAIN, THAT'S WHEN HE HIT IT.

- BROKE OFF, BUT AT THE PRIME TIME.

SAVE THAT BAIT.

- PERFECT.

PERFECT.

- LOOK AT THAT MOUTH ON HIM WITH THOSE TEETH.

- LOOK AT THIS TONGUE.

LOOK AT THAT TONGUE.

- I NOTICED THEY ALL GOT THIS BLACK VERTICAL LINE UNDER THEIR EYES.

- THEY SURE DO.

EVERY ONE OF THEM LOOKS LIKE THAT.

- LOOK HOW HIS HEAD'S BUILT.

YOU KNOW THEY'RE LAYING LOW AND COMING UP ON EVERYTHING THEY GET.

- AND EYE'S UP HIGH ON THEIR HEAD LIKE THAT.

- THEY'RE HARD TO GET OUT OF THOSE LILY PADS.

ONCE THEY WRAP, IT FREES HIM.

YOU HAD HIM HOOKED GOOD IN THE FIN, AND YOUR LINE BROKE, WRAPPED AROUND HIS HOOK, THAT'S WHAT'S THAT GOT HIM.

- I SAW THAT.

- BUT HE'S MOSTLY HEAD.

WE'RE GONNA CATCH A NICE FISH BEFORE IT'S OVER WITH, AND HE'S PRETTY.

BUT YOU CAN TELL HE HADN'T BEEN EATEN AT MUCH, HAS HE?

- NO, NO, COMING OUT OF THE WINTER, HE HASN'T FED, BUT HE WAS FEEDING RIGHT THEN.

- PRETTY.

BOB, IT HAS TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE COLDEST WINTERS THAT I REMEMBER IN THE LAST TEN YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD.

- WELL, I TELL YOU WHAT, THERE WAS A SPAN IN THERE WHEN IT JUST SEEMED LIKE THE WHOLE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY WAS JUST SWEPT INTO A DEEP COLD FRONT.

OH, THERE'S A FISH.

I GOT A FISH.

- GOOD.

- LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT GOING ON HERE, FELLAS.

LITTLE-BITTY GUY.

- LOOKED KIND OF BASSY FROM WHAT I SAW THERE.

- IT DID LOOK KIND OF BASSY DIDN'T IT.

- HE'S EATING A LITTLE DRAG THOUGH.

- YEAH, I SAW THE STRIPE DOWN INSIDE HIS LATERAL LINE.

- THAT'S A BASS.

LARGEMOUTH BASS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS COLD AS IT'S BEEN, THESE FISH ARE JUST NOW WAKING UP.

YOU KNOW, THE WATER TEMPERATURE'S UP IN THE 50s FINALLY, AND WHEN IT'S WAY DOWN COOL LIKE THAT, THEY DON'T LIKE THAT COOL TEMPERATURE, BEING COLD-BLOODED CREATURES.

- THAT'S A PRETTY FISH THERE.

IT WENT UNDER THE WATER.

YOU COULD SEE THAT-- WELL, I GUESS IT WAS HIS BELLY LINE WE SAW, BUT YOU COULD SEE THAT STRIPE DOWN JUST AS GOOD.

- BOY THEY'RE JUST REALLY, REALLY DARK FISH, AREN'T THEY?

- THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

- NICE.

- USING A FAIRLY CONSTANT RETRIEVE TOO, WEREN'T YOU?

- YEAH, JUST SLOW AND STEADY.

ALL RIGHT, FISHY.

- AMAZING THEY'RE SO MUCH EASIER TO CATCH, THAT BASS, THAN THAT CHAIN PICKEREL, THAT JACK, ISN'T IT?

- [laughing] FUNNY HOW THAT WORKS, ISN'T IT?

- IF WE WERE FISHING FOR BASS, WE'D BE LOADED UP WITH JACKS.

- A TARGET SPECIES.

- YEAH.

- THAT A BOY, KURT.

- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF STAYING AFTER A FISH LIKE THAT WHEN YOU'RE CATCHING FOUR OR FIVE-POUND BASS?

LOOK, THAT'S THE FIRST ONE'S REALLY TAKEN IT IN AND GOT SOME HOOKS IN HIM.

- YEAH, AND HE DID.

HE TOOK IT ALL THE WAY IN, FINALLY.

THAT'S THE FIRST ONE OF THE DAY TO REALLY DO THAT.

- MM-HMM.

- GOT IT?

- GOT IT.

- I TELL YOU WHAT WAS FUN ABOUT WATCHING YOU CATCH THAT FISH IS, YOU SAW HIM SWIRL THE FIRST CAST.

THEN YOU THREW IT RIGHT BACK AT IT.

IT SWIRLED AGAIN, AND THEN YOU THREW IT THE THIRD TIME, AND THAT'S WHEN YOU CAUGHT THAT FISH.

MAN, THOSE FISH ARE AGGRESSIVE, AND IF YOU STAY WITH THEM, YOU'LL CATCH ONE, WON'T YOU?

- THAT'S ONE THINGS ABOUT JACK.

HE'LL COME AFTER IT IF HE GET A SWIRL.

AND HE WOULDN'T BLOW UP.

- AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DID.

NICE.

LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT JACK FISHING.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW, KURT, IT'S A LITTLE BREEZY TODAY.

- WE STARTED OUT THINKING IT WAS DEAD CALM, AND IT WAS, BUT IT'S PICKED UP A LITTLE BIT.

WE JUST GONNA HAVE TO DO SOME CONTROLLED DRIFTS AND DO THE BEST WE CAN.

- YOU KNOW, IN--IN THIS BOAT, YOU CAN DRIFT REALLY, REALLY EASILY.

YOU KNOW, CAUSE IT'S GOT TWO ENGINES UNDER IT, SO WE CAN KIND OF PIVOT, WHICH, I LIKE THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE WIND, IF THEY'D GET IT TO SUSTAIN-- WE'RE NOT REALLY GETTING ANY GUSTS, BUT IT STILL MAKES IT JUST A LITTLE BIT-- LITTLE BIT MORE FUN, A LITTLE MORE OF A CHALLENGE, DOESN'T IT?

- INDEED, IT DOES.

SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME, IT'S BLOWN US ON TOP OF THE FISH.

- WELL, I FEEL ONE COMING.

- YEAH, I LIKE THIS ZONE WE'RE IN HERE.

- I'M GONNA BACK US UP A LITTLE BIT.

- YEAH, TRY AND KEEP US-- - OH, THERE'S A FISH.

- LOST HIM, THOUGH.

COULDN'T GET THOSE LITTLE HOOKS IN HIM, AND HE WASN'T SIX FEET FROM THE BOAT.

BUT THIS IS THE ZONE HERE.

- IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT THESE LILY PADS, ISN'T IT?

- MM-HMM.

COULD YOU KEEP THAT HOOK IN HIM?

- MAN, WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT.

- THAT'S A BIG SINGLE HOOK.

YOU OUGHT TO HAVE HIM.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE MOUTH FROM THE SIZE OF THE FISH.

THEY ARE ALL HEAD, AREN'T THEY?

- THAT'S AMAZING, ISN'T IT?

LOOK AT THAT GUY.

COME ON.

OOH, HE'S BARELY HOOKED.

- GOOD JOB.

- THERE WE GO.

- A GOOD SINGLE HOOK WHEN YOU GET THAT IN HIM.

- YEAH, RIGHT IN THE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH.

HE'S HOOKED PRETTY GOOD TOO.

- YEAH, LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT MOUTH.

- LOOK HOW BIG THEIR MOUTHS GET.

- YEAH.

- ISN'T THAT FUNNY?

NOT BAD.

LOT OF FUN.

HE HIT THAT WHITE TRICK WORM AS IT WAS FALLING DOWN.

LOOK HOW BIG THEIR EYES ARE.

THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITH.

YEAH, HE'S A BONEY GUY.

LOOK AT THAT.

ALL RIGHT, GO DO WHAT YOU DO.

- HOW BIG IS THE BIGGEST ONE OF THOSE THAT YOU'VE SEEN?

- YOU KNOW, I TELL YOU WHAT, KURT, THE BIGGEST ONE I'VE SEEN IS OVER 4 1/2 POUNDS IN THIS LAKE, AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF GUYS THAT FISH OUT HERE THAT HAVE CAUGHT SOME THAT ARE PUSHING RIGHT AT SIX OR A LITTLE BETTER.

- MAN, I'LL BET THAT'S A NEAT FISH.

- TELL YOU WHAT, WHEN YOU CATCH A 4-POUNDER, MY GOSH, THAT THING LOOKS-- IT LOOKS LIKE IT OUGHT TO BE 12.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THOSE THINGS THEY'RE THAT LONG, HEAD'S THAT BIG AROUND, AND WHEN YOU OPEN THEIR MOUTHS UP, THEY'RE LIKE THAT.

- REAL TEETH IN THEM, HUH?

- I'M TELLING YOU, THOSE TEETH ARE--THEY'RE THAT LONG, EVERY BIT OF IT.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THAT'S A TOOTHY FISH RIGHT THERE, BUT STILL.

YOU GOT ANOTHER PICKEREL, BUDDY.

- YEAH.

- OH, LOOK AT THAT ONE.

- HOW WELL YOU THINK HE'S HOOKED?

- HE LOOKED LIKE HE SWALLOWED IT TO ME.

- I'D LIKE TO THINK SO.

FOUND HIM IN THE LILY PAD, THOUGH.

YOU'RE KIDDING.

- HOW DO THEY KNOW TO DO THAT?

HE'S--HE'S STILL ON.

- YEAH, I SEE HIM DOWN THERE.

COME ON, BOY.

- YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO JUMP IN THERE LIKE YOU DID A WHILE AGO.

- GOT HIM AND A LILY PAD.

WELL, I BETTER NOT SPEAK TOO SOON, HAD I?

NEAT LITTLE FISH.

I LOVE TO SEE HIM STRIKE.

WHEN YOU'RE PULLING IT THROUGH THOSE LILY PADS, JUST DRIVING THAT THING THROUGH THERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT WHIP SPINNING.

- NOTHING BETTER.

NOTHING BETTER.

YOU KNOW, JUST THE WHOLE GAME, JUST GETTING IT THROUGH THE... - WATER TURKEY SCARS ON IT.

- YEAH, JUST GETTING THAT BAIT THROUGH THE WEEDS, THEN WATCHING THAT FISH BLOW UP ON IT AND RUN OFF.

- KURT-- - YEAH, MAN.

- WHAT ARE YOU DOING, BUDDY?

- GOT HIM IN THE CORNER OF THE MOUTH, HUH?

- YOU ARE THE PICKEREL KING TODAY.

- THERE HE--HE'S STILL ON IT.

- LOOK AT YOU.

- I CAN'T HIT HIM UNDER.

IT'S LAYING RIGHT UNDERNEATH.

- IS HE UNDER IT?

- YEAH.

I STILL GOT HIM ON THERE.

YOU GET ME TO THE TIP THERE AND I'LL TAKE MY ROD TIP AND TRY AND GET IT UNDER THAT LOG.

- THAT IS WORTH THE DAY RIGHT THERE, BUDDY.

THAT'S FUN.

- SWING RIGHT AROUND TO THE LEFT THERE.

BEAR HARD LEFT.

- ALL RIGHT.

- WE'RE GONNA SEE HOW FAR THAT LOG IS IN THE WATER.

I STILL GOT HIM ON THERE.

- [laughing] WHERE IS HE?

CAN YOU SEE IT?

- YOU GOT A TWIST ON HERE.

TAKE ME RIGHT OVER THERE TO IT.

HE'S STILL ON THERE.

HE'S TAKING LINE.

IF I COULD GET MY TWIST OFF WHATEVER IT'S ON THERE...

BUT I CAN'T SEE.

- CAN YOU GET HIM?

DID YOU CATCH THAT FISH?

[laughing] HOLY COW.

YOU CAUGHT THAT FISH.

- THAT'S THE ONE THAT FINALLY GOT HOOKED UP.

I'M--HE WENT UP BACK UNDER THAT LOG.

- THAT WAS--THAT MADE THE DAY RIGHT THERE, BUDDY.

WHAT A FIGHT.

MAN AGAINST BEAST AGAINST TREE.

WHO'S LEVERAGED ON THIS ONE, KURT?

- WELL, I'M HOLDING HIM.

- BY GOLLY.

THAT--THAT RIGHT THERE MAKES THE DAY.

THAT WAS FUN.

LOOK AT YOU.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

CATCH CHAIN PICKEREL?

- OW!

- KURT... [laughing] - I WHOOPED HIM.

GO BACK AND LIVE UNDER THAT LOG, BUDDY.

YOU MIGHT USE IT AGAIN.

- HOW FUNNY THAT IS.

LOOK AT HIM.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT IN THE WORLD HIT HIM.

THERE HE GOES.

THERE HE GOES.

THAT MADE THE DAY RIGHT THERE.

THAT WAS FUN.

- I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA BE ABLE TO PULL HIM OVER IT, BUT IT HAD TOO MANY.

- YOU NEED TO REST.

- JOE, WE HAD A GOOD DAY OF FISHING.

I THINK OUR VIEWERS DESERVE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POND.

WHERE IS THIS POND?

- WELL, AS WE SAID EARLIER, IT'S OUTSIDE OF LAUREL HILL.

IT'S ON ACTUALLY PROPERTY OWNED BY THE KINGFISHER SOCIETY WHO WE'VE BEEN WITH ONE TIME BEFORE CATCHING BASS.

THEIR MAIN LAKE IS AN OLD MILL LAKE THAT THEY'RE MANAGING FOR, YOU KNOW, WORLD-CLASS BASS FISHING, AND THEY'RE DOING QUITE WELL WITH THAT.

THE CHAIN PICKEREL IS KIND OF A SIDE DEAL.

AND IF YOU WANTED TO TRY THAT ON A REAL OLD MILLPOND SETTING WITH A FEW LARGE BASS THROWN IN, WHICH WE SAW WE CAUGHT THAT DAY, GIVE THEM A CALL.

IT'S A JUST A REAL NICE, REAL PRETTY SETTING.

CATCH ANY KIND OF FISH, BUT CHAIN PICKEREL IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FISH.

AND THEY'RE AVAILABLE ALL OVER THE STATE.

BUT WE HAD A GOOD DAY THAT DAY.

- WE HAD A GOOD DAY.

LET'S LEARN MORE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - BOB, THAT WAS A FUN MORNING OF FISHING.

- WHAT A GREAT MORNING.

THAT WAS A BLAST.

- WIND PICKED UP ON US A LITTLE, BUT PRETTY CONDITIONS.

- I FISHED THE WHOLE TIME USING A MEPPS COMET MINO.

HISTORICALLY, IT'S BEEN A GOOD BAIT FOR CHAIN PICKEREL, WHICH IS WHAT WE TARGETED TODAY AND STUCK WITH.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.

I FISHED IT WITH ABOUT FIVE FEET OF 20-POUND TEST LEADER BECAUSE OF THE COVER WE WERE IN.

I USED A TFO MEDIUM CASTING ROD WITH A CALCUTTA REEL.

ANY SPINNING BAIT WORKS PRETTY GOOD.

BEETLE SPIN, JUST SOME REGULAR SPINNER BAITS.

THEY HISTORICALLY LIKE RED AND ORANGE.

YOU WERE USING A SPINNING ROD AND A SOFT PLASTIC.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S HOW I ENDED.

I STARTED OFF WITH A REALLY BRIGHT CRANKBAIT.

- FIRST FISH OF THE DAY WAS ON THAT.

- YEP, FIRST FISH OF THE DAY.

AND I CAUGHT ONE AND CAST THIS THING PROBABLY 15 TIMES, THEN I SWITCHED TO A WHITE SPINNER BAIT.

BUT THESE CONDITIONS, WITH THE LILY PADS JUST COMING UP, YOU KNOW, THAT SPINNER BAIT EVEN WAS HANGING UP.

SO I DECIDED, AFTER WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT, THEY MIGHT LIKE WHITE.

SO I PUT ON THIS TRICK WORM WITH A GAMAKATSU HOOK.

MAN, THEY WERE ON IT.

I MEAN, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A BASS OUT THERE, WHICH WE KNEW THERE WERE SOME BASS IN HERE, KURT, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE'D CATCH VERY MANY.

BUT, I TELL YOU WHAT, WE CAUGHT SOME GOOD PICKEREL, AND WE CAUGHT SOME GOOD BASS.

- THIS WAS THE PREFERRED BAIT.

THEY WANTED THAT THING BUT THE HOOKS WERE SO SMALL ON IT, COULDN'T KEEP THEM ON FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY GOT WRAPPED.

- I BET YOU CAUGHT-- HOOKED--CAUGHT EIGHT OR TEN FISH THAT, WHEN IT GET HUNG IN THE LILY PADS, THEY WOULD COME RIGHT OFF.

- AND WE COULDN'T HAVE GOT IN WHERE WE WERE FISHING WITH ANYBODY.

- NO WAY, BUT THAT TODAY-- NO DOUBT, THAT WAS THE BAIT OF THE DAY.

- THESE BOATS REALLY PUT US IN POSITION WHERE WE COULD FISH.

- YOU KNOW, YEAH, YOU KNOW, FOR AN 8 TO 10-ACRE LAKE LIKE THIS, OR EVEN A 3 OR 4-ACRE POND, OR EVEN LIKE A 30-ACRE POND, THIS BOAT'S PERFECT.

IT'S STABLE, YOU KNOW.

WE COULD MOVE AROUND ON IT.

I LIKED IT, AND IT WAS-- YOU KNOW, WITH THE TWO MOTORS, YOU CAN MANEUVER AND GET INTO THAT SHALLOW WATER.

- JUST LIKE IT WAS ON TRACKS.

- THAT'S RIGHT, AND AS OLD AS THIS LAKE IS, THERE'S A LOT OF SHALLOW WATER IN IT.

AND, MAN, WE WERE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT PRETTY QUICK.

- YEAH, THE FISH WERE JUST IN LITTLE TROUGHS.

- THEY WERE.

ALL DAY LONG.

- ONCE AGAIN, ALWAYS GOOD TO ME TO TARGET A SPECIES OF FISH, GO AFTER THEM AND CATCH THEM, EVEN THOUGH WE CAUGHT BASS ANYWAY, I ENJOYED IT.

APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME UP HERE.

GOOD MEETING YOU, AND IT WAS JUST A TON OF FUN.

- I ENJOYED IT TOO.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

- LET'S DO IT.

- ALRIGHT, BUDDY.

- MAYBE HIT ANOTHER SPECIES.

- I LIKE THAT.

- GREAT INFORMATION.

WE CERTAINLY DO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

BUT, JOE, I GOT TO ASK YOU, DID YOU HAVE THE RIGHT LURE THAT DAY?

- WELL, WE DID.

WE HAD THE RIGHT LURE.

WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE LURE.

AND THE ONE I'VE GOT IN MY HAND IS-- ANYBODY THAT'S BEEN FISHING VERY LONG WILL RECOGNIZE IT.

IT'S THE MEPPS COMET MINO IS WHAT IT'S CALLED.

BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS, AND ONE OF THE BEST ARTIFICIAL LURES EVER DESIGNED AND MADE BY THE MEPPS COMPANY.

AND WE NEEDED TWO SIZES LARGER THAN WHAT I'M HOLDING.

THIS IS A SIZE THREE.

WE NEEDED A SIZE FIVE.

IF YOU NOTICE, ON THOSE CHAIN PICKEREL, THEY HAVE BIG, BIG MOUTHS.

AND FOR SOME REASON, THIS NUMBER THREE WAS JUST NOT LARGE ENOUGH, THE HOOKS SIZE, TO REALLY SET THE HOOK AND HOLD THEM ON VERY LONG, SO WE LOST A LOT MORE FISH THAN WHAT YOU JUST SAW BECAUSE OF THE SIZE.

IF WE HAD HAD THE FIVE, I'M CONFIDENT WE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT EVERY ONE OF THEM.

BUT NONETHELESS, THEY TARGETED THIS BAIT THAT DAY ALONG WITH SOME SOFT BAIT THAT BOB SHOWED YOU EARLIER, AND--BUT WE STILL CAUGHT FISH.

- IT WAS A BIG DAY FISHING.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- WE GOT A BIG DAY IN THE KITCHEN.

YOU TAKE RED SNAPPER AND YOU ADD FRIED GREEN TOMATOES TO IT AND YOU GOT A WONDERFUL RECIPE AND A GREAT MEAL.

LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN [light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN WE'RE MAKING A SNAPPER AND GREEN TOMATO CLUB SANDWICH.

REALLY GREAT.

I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO ENJOY IT.

BE A GREAT SATURDAY AFTERNOON SANDWICH.

I'VE GOT MY BACON THAT I'VE ALREADY PRE-COOKED, BUT I'M--I SAVED MY DRIPPINGS, SO THEY'RE IN THE PAN, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA FRY OUR GREEN TOMATOES IN.

I KNOW YOU'VE PROBABLY GOTTEN THEM AT A RESTAURANT.

THEY'RE REALLY EASY TO MAKE, AND THEY ARE SO TASTY.

YOU CAN MAKE THEM AT HOME.

SO I FOUND THIS BEAUTIFUL GREEN TOMATO.

IT'S AN HEIRLOOM TOMATO, BUT YOU CAN FIND GREAT GREEN TOMATOES.

I HAVE SOME THAT ARE ALREADY SLICED.

AND WHAT I DID IS, I JUST SLICED OFF THE END.

YOU CAN SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE INSIDE.

AND THE GREEN TOMATO'S A LITTLE BIT FIRMER TOMATO THAN YOU WOULD FIND LIKE THE RED ONES.

AND THEY ALSO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A TANG TO THEM.

SO THEY HAVE A GREAT FLAVOR WITH THIS CRUNCHY COATING ON THE OUTSIDE.

I'VE GOT SOME MILK IN A PIE PLATE.

THEN I'M GONNA USE SOME CHICKEN FRY.

PUT THIS IN ANOTHER PIE PLATE.

AND THE CHICKEN FRY HAS SOME GREAT CORNMEAL IN IT.

SO THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE CRUNCH THAN IF YOU WERE USING A REGULAR BREADER.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, I'M JUST GONNA DIP THIS INTO THE BUTTER JUST TO WET MY TOMATO, AND THEN I'M GONNA DREDGE IT INTO THE FRY.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA COAT IT REALLY WELL AND THEN SHAKE OFF THE EXCESS, AND PLACE IT INTO THE OIL, OR MY DRIPPINGS.

AND THIS IS GONNA ADD SOME NICE FLAVOR AS WELL, THE BACON, BECAUSE EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, IS GREAT WITH BACON.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA DREDGE THAT, ANOTHER ONE.

AND SHAKE OFF THE EXCESS, AND PLACE IT INTO OUR PAN.

SO WE'RE GONNA LET THAT COOK FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT UNTIL IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

YOU DON'T WANT TO COOK IT TOO FAST, OR THE OUTSIDE WILL BURN, AND YOUR INSIDE WON'T BE COOKED WELL ENOUGH.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA LET THAT COOK.

AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE DONE.

I'VE GOT SOME GREAT-- A COUPLE RIGHT HERE.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN, AND YOU CAN SEE THE CORNMEAL IN IT, WHICH IS GONNA GIVE YOU A GREAT CRUNCH.

I ALSO HAVE SOME SNAPPER THAT I JUST GRILLED.

YOU CAN ALSO DREDGE AND FRY THIS AS WELL IF YOU WANT.

I HAVE MY BACON.

AND THEN I JUST USE THESE LITTLE SANDWICH ROUNDS, BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TASTE ALL MY INGREDIENTS IN MY SANDWICH AND NOT JUST THE BREAD.

YOU CAN USE WHATEVER KIND OF BREAD YOU LIKE.

SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS I MADE A LITTLE MAYONNAISE TOO.

AND THIS HAS SOME DILL IN IT.

IT HAS SOME MINT, SOME LIME JUICE.

SO IT'S GOT SOME FLAVOR IN IT.

YOU CAN SEE I JUST LIKE TO USE FRESH HERBS.

SO I JUST USE FRESH ONES.

AND THEN I'M GONNA PLACE ONE OF MY PIECES OF SNAPPER ON IT, COUPLE PIECES OF BACON ON HERE, THEN SOME LETTUCE.

THIS IS SOME LETTUCE OUT OF MY--GARDEN.

SO THEY--JUST REALLY NICE AND SOFT.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PUT OUR GREEN TOMATO ON TOP.

AND THEN JUST PLACE YOUR TOP OF YOUR BUN RIGHT THERE.

IT'S REALLY GREAT.

LET'S LOOK AND SEE WHAT THESE HAVE TURNED.

THEY SHOULD BE NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

OOPS.

TRY NOT TO SPLATTER.

SO THESE ARE GOLDEN BROWN.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE SO YUMMY, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE NICE AND CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE AND SOFT ON THE INSIDE.

SO HERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT I MADE.

YOU CAN SEE--JUST HAVE THE GREAT TOMATO ON TOP.

I'VE SERVED IT WITH A NICE PRETTY SALAD.

IT'S A REALLY GREAT SANDWICH.

NICE AND HEARTY, BUT REALLY GOOD FOR YOU TOO.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SNAPPER AND GREEN TOMATO CLUB, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA, FOR ANOTHER TASTY RECIPE.

JOE, YOU HOLD IN YOUR HAND A MAGAZINE THAT HAS A LOT OF VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR NORTH CAROLINA.

- YEAH, IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE STATE OR HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE AND WANT TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA, THIS IS NORTH CAROLINA SPORTSMAN MAGAZINE.

THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT'S A MONTHLY PUBLICATION.

COMES OUT 12 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR.

AND THEY COVER THE--NORTH CAROLINA FROM THE COAST TO THE MOUNTAINS.

HUNTING AND FISHING.

AND GO INTO A LOT OF DETAIL ON--IN THEIR ARTICLES.

THEY GIVE YOU A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT DIFFERENT SUBJECTS THAT WE COVER HERE ON THE SHOW.

FROM TIME TO TIME THEY FEATURE EVEN THE GUIDES THAT--AND CAPTAINS THAT WE WORK WITH HERE ON THE SHOW TOO.

SO AGAIN, YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO THEM.

YOU CAN PICK THEM UP AT A CONVENIENCE STORE.

THEY'RE AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STATE, BUT THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF COVERING THE OUTDOORS HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

- AND WE HAD ANOTHER GOOD DAY OF FISHING TODAY.

- WE SURE DID.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

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

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

- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESCOURCES COMMISSION.

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪