[piano intro] (Hinchman) SOMETHING THERE?

(Varner) I THINK SOMETHING WAS THERE, 'CAUSE IT KI ND OF TOOK A BIG TURN.

FISH IS A LITTLE FAST, YEAH.

GOT HIM OUT.

GOT YOU.

GOOD.

HE'S SWINGING WIDE, ISN'T HE?

YEAH, HE'S SWINGING OUT.

HE'S RUNNING FOR HIGHER COVER.

[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 ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT OF TOPWATER FISHING FOR STRIPERS, AND, JOE, IT WAS A BIG DAY.

YEAH, WE HAD-- IT WAS A BIG MORNING, 'CAUSE THIS WAS A MORNING BITE, AND IN THE SUMMERTIME WHEN WE FISHED, THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE TO CATCH THEM.

YOU HAD TO GET UP EARLY.

AND IT'S USUALLY THAT FIRST 30 TO 45 MINUTES OF DAYLIGHT, EVEN BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP.

NOW, IF YOU GET AN OVERCAST MORNING LIKE WE HAD, IT KIND OF EXTENDS ITSELF UNTIL THAT SUN COMES OUT.

BUT WE--NOT BIG FISH--WE HAD TO SIZE OUR TACKLE DOWN FOR THEM, BUT WE HAD LOADS OF FUN, TOPWATER BAIT.

JUST--YOU NEED TO TRY IT.

(John) NOW, YOU TALK ABOUT SIZE OF THE TACKLE.

NOW, WE'LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT ON GEAR TIME.

THAT'S RIGHT; WE'LL GO BACK, AND THE GUYS WILL SHOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY USED: THE SMALL TOPWATER PLUGS.

SIZED DOWN THE TACKLE.

THE ROD AND REEL HAD TO BE FAIRLY LIGHT, 'CAUSE THESE WERE 14- TO MAYBE AN 18-INCH FISH, SIX, SEVEN--17-, 18-INCH FISH BUT LOADS OF FUN.

I MEAN, ONCE THEY HIT THAT BAIT, THEY WERE ON, AND YOU GOT YOUR HANDS FULL.

(John) AND TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, DONNA'S GOT LEMON SPINACH FISH.

NOW, THAT'S GOT TO BE GOOD.

(Joe) IT SOUND--IT'S DIFFERENT.

I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT PUTTING SPINACH WITH FISH, BUT ACTUALLY, IT-- I THINK IT'S PRETTY GOOD.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

LET'S GO FISHING HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

MORNING, LATE SEPTEMBER.

THESE ROCK HAVE BEEN HANGING AROUND THIS CORNER RIGHT HERE WAITING FOR BAIT JUST TO WASH ON OUT.

GOOD TOPWATER BAIT RIGHT-- TOPWATER BITE RIGHT IN THE MORNING.

THEY'RE RIGHT UP ON THE BANK, JUST WAITING FOR FISH MENACE TO COME OUT HERE.

WE'RE JUST GONNA EASE ALONG, THROW THESE TOPWATER PLUGS, AND A LOT OF TIME, THEY'LL HIT IT SOON AS IT HITS THE WATER.

NOT REAL BIG FISH BUT GOOD TOPWATER BITE, LOT OF ACTION.

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

YOU GONNA GET US IN POSITION?

MM-HMM, I'M GONNA TAKE US RIGHT OVER THERE.

OH, HE JUST KIND OF SUCKED THAT ONE DOWN.

YEAH.

THAT WAS A LITTLE BITTY OLE RASCAL.

I DON'T KNOW.

HE'S FIGHTING PRETTY GOOD.

TWO CASTS, TWO FISH.

I DON'T KNOW; THAT FIRST ONE DIDN'T COME IN THE BOAT.

WELL, OKAY, YOU GOT ME THERE.

ONE CAST, ONE FISH.

TWO CASTS, TWO STRIKES.

COME ON IN HERE.

TO BE AS ACTIVE AS THESE FISH ARE IN HERE FEEDING LIKE THIS, THEY'RE SURE PRETTY SKINNY, AREN'T THEY?

THEY SURE ARE SKINNY.

PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

[coughs] THEY ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE.

THEY'LL TEAR UP A BAIT, WON'T THEY?

THEY SURE WILL.

I'VE ALREADY GOT MY HOOK BENT.

OH, THAT'S THE M.O.

OF A ROCK, TEARING SOMETHING UP.

(Varner) HO-HO.

GOT HIM ON, HANGING.

YEAH.

POUND FOR POUND, A ROCK'LL FIGHT, WON'T HE?

HE'S FIGHTING.

YOU KNOW, IF WE DON'T USE THIS NET, WON'T BE LONG, WE'LL HAVE ONE BREAK THAT PLUG, OR IT'LL TAKE A PLUG AWAY FROM US.

THAT'S SMALLER THAN THE OTHER ONES WE'VE CAUGHT.

YEAH, RIGHT, AND THAT'S ONE REASON THEY DO-- WHEN THEY GET FILE HOOKED LIKE THAT AND THAT LINE GETS WRAPPED AROUND THE HOOK ANOTHER NICE LITTLE ROCK.

I BELIEVE THESE ARE ALL RELEASED FISH THAT WERE TURNED OUT BY THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE, ALL OF THEM THE SAME SIZE.

MM-HMM.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN ABOUT THE SAME SIZE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

COME ON, BOY.

THERE HE GOES.

(Varner) GOT HIM ON?

(H inchman) YE P. PULL AND DRAG.

TELL YOU WHAT: A ROCK AND A PUPPY DRUM ARE SOME OF THE TWO FIGHTINGEST FISH WE GOT AROUND HERE.

THEY SURE ARE.

HE WAS JUST SITTING THERE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO MAKE A MISTAKE AND COME BY.

YEAH.

THIS BAIT, BEING A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THE ONE YOU'VE GOT, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HOOK UP AS GOOD.

YOU GOT HIM HOOKED GOOD.

YEAH, YOU BETTER HAVE PLIERS IF YOU'RE MESSING WITH THESE, IF YOU DON'T WANT A HOOK IN YOUR HAND.

THAT'S RIGHT.

LEARNED THAT LESSON.

THAT'S A PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

JUST--I RECKON HE'S PROBABLY ONLY A YEAR OR SO OLD.

MM-HMM.

PRETTY FISH.

LET'S SWING BACK AROUND.

I KIND OF GOT US MESSED UP A LITTLE BIT THERE.

THEY'LL WAIT FOR US.

MARTY, I'M GONNA TRY AND SWING AROUND AND GET US RIGHT WHERE THOSE FISH ARE AT.

AND THIS IS THE EARLY MORNING BITE.

WE'LL PROBABLY GET AN HOUR OF GOOD FISHING DOING THIS.

I WAS SCARED THAT FULL MOON MIGHT MESS US UP, BUT THEY'RE HERE.

YEAH, THEY ARE HERE.

THEY'LL GO ON TILL THE SUN GETS PRETTY HIGH IN THE SKY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

A LOT OF TIMES, CLOUDS COVER'LL EXTEND THE BITE FOR YOU.

AND A ROCK, IF YOU GET ON HIM, THAT BAIT YOU GOT, THAT'S AS GOOD OF BAIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

IF THEY'LL HIT ANY PLUG, THEY'LL COME UP AND TAKE OUR TOPWATER BAIT.

YEAH, I CAUGHT SOME LARGEMOUTH BASS FISHING FOR ROCK.

WITH THIS BAIT.

WELL, THAT ROCK, HE'S AGGRESSIVE.

HE LOVES TO COME UP AND HIT THEM.

WHOA.

[laughing] I TELL YOU, ON E OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO IS WHEN YOU SEE HIM STRIKE, YOU WANT TO PULL IT OU T OF THE-- IF YOU JUST LEAVE IT THERE AND KEEP WORKING IT-- HE'LL TAKE IT.

I SAY, I'M AFRAID HE'S GONNA SWALLOW IT.

I'VE HAD SOME OF THESE FISH JUST SWALLOW THAT BIG OLE BAIT.

THAT'S THE GOOD THING ABOUT THAT CHUG BUG: IT'S A LITTLE SMALLER THAN THIS PLUG.

THEN LIKE THIS PLUG I GOT OUT OF THE WATER A LOT, BUT THAT ONE, IT'LL HOOK UP.

YEAH.

ALL OF THEM, JUST THE SAME, JUST THE SAME SIZE.

CLOSE TO THE SAME SIZE I'D SAY HE'S 17, 18 INCHES.

PRETTY FISH.

AS THE FALL GOES ON AND THERE'S SO MUCH BAIT IN HERE, I BET IN ANOTHER MONTH, SIX WEEKS, THAT FISH'LL BE A LOT FATTER.

A LOT FATTER.

YOU RECKON I COULD PUT ONE RIGHT DOWN THAT BANK AND DO THE SAME THING?

I IMAGINE.

I SEE THEM STRIKING UP THERE.

HE KNOCKED IT CL EAN OUT OF THE WATER.

I THINK HE WANTS SOMETHING.

THAT'S THE THING ABOUT A ROCK: YOU CAN'T PULL THAT PLUG AWAY FROM THEM.

I'VE HAD THEM HIT IT AL L THE WAY TO THE BOAT.

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE TH EY SHORT STRIKE.

THE OTHER DAY, WE HAD A MULLET DANGLING OVER THE SIDE OF THE BOAT, AND ONE CAME UP AND GOT IT.

I THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA PULL THE ROD OUT OF THE BOAT.

THAT WAS ONE AGGRESSIVE RASCAL.

HE HIT IT, WHAT, TEN TIMES COMING BACK TO THE BOAT?

AND FINALLY I WAS LOOKING FOR MY BAIT FLOAT, AND HE'S HAD IT IN BOTH EYES.

AND HE'D ALREADY RUN DOWN THE BANK.

I BET WE COULD DO THAT AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS BILL PILE TOLD ME ONE TIME THAT THE FURTHER UP IN THE WATER COLUMN A FISH HITS, THE BETTER IT IS.

YOU KNOW, IF WE WERE JIGGING FOR THESE FISH OUT THERE WITH A HOPKINS AND CATCHING THEM, THAT WOULD BE FUN.

IF WE WERE CHUNKING A RATTLE TRAP AND CATCHING THEM, THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE FUN.

BUT ACTUALLY SEEING THAT FISH STRIKE TIME AND TIME AGAIN LIKE THAT... HARD TO BEAT.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.

(Hinchman) IT'S NOT AS CLOSE TO BANK AS I WANTED IT, MARTY, BUT... (Varner) GO OD ENOUGH?

DIDN'T TAKE LONG, DID IT?

LOOK HOW IT GOES RIGHT OVER TO THE BANK THERE.

HE RUNS UNDER THE BANK.

MM-HMM.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU CAN TELL WHERE THESE FISH HAVE BEEN HITTING TOPWATER.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THOSE BUBBLES BACK THERE ON THE TOP-- OOH, HE'S JUST TAKE AND DRAG-- WHERE THEY'VE BEEN BUSTING THAT BAIT.

MM-HMM.

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, WE'VE GOT SOME SHOULDERS ON HIM.

I BELIEVE THAT'S A H-- IS THAT A HYBRID?

IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE ONE, AS THICK AS HE IS.

WITH THAT HUMP ON HIS HEAD THERE.

I BELIEVE THAT'S A HYBRID, A CROSS BETWEEN A WHITE BASS AND A ROCK, MARTY.

SEE HOW MUCH THICKER HE IS AND HIS GIRTH ON HIM?

HE SURE IS.

A LOT BIGGER THAN THE OTHER ONES WE CAUGHT.

RIGHT DOWN TO THE BASE OF HIS TAIL.

AND A LITTLE SMALLER UP HERE THROUGH THE MOUTH.

I COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE.

I THINK THE SURE WAY TO TELL: THEY GOT PATCHES ON THEIR TONGUE OR SOMETHING.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT'S A HYBRID.

I DIDN'T BRING MY GLASSES.

GONNA GET THIS BAIT HERE.

HE POPPED THAT THING SOME KIND OF HARD.

ALL RIGHT.

SEE HOW THAT WATER'S ALL FOAMED UP IN THERE FROM THE FISH WE'VE PULLED OUT OF THERE?

[laughing] PU LLED IT RIGHT OUT.

JUST KEEP FISHING THAT THING.

GET AWAY FROM MY BAIT.

JUST GOT TO JUST LET THEM PULL IT DOWN.

[laughs] HE KNOCKED IT OU T OF THE WATER.

LET HIM HAVE IT, MARTY.

LET THAT FISH HAVE THAT BAIT.

HE'S GOT IT NOW.

I LOVE TO SEE THEM HIT THAT TOPWATER PLUG.

YEAH.

NOTHING BETTER THAN A ROCK ON IT EITHER.

THAT'S RIGHT.

'CAUSE THEY WON'T JUST HIT IT AND FORGET ABOUT IT.

MM-MM, MY SKIRT'S GONE.

THEY GOT IT, DIDN'T THEY?

FINALLY GOT IT.

PROBABLY AFTER 50 ROCK, THEY FINALLY GOT THE SKIRT.

YOU CAN BUY ANOTHER ONE.

I BOUGHT ONE THE OTHER DAY.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

HE AIN'T QUITE AS THICK-- YEAH, AFTER SEEING THAT HYBRID, I'M-- (both) I'M SURE THAT WAS A HYBRID, YEAH.

YEAH, NOW AFTER LOOKING AT THIS ONE.

PRETTY FISH.

LET ME TRY AND GET US IN POSITION AGAIN.

SINCE THE SUN'S UP, WE'RE GONNA EASE UP AROUND THIS BANK HERE, SEE IF THOSE FISH ARE BACK HERE WHERE WE FIRST CAUGHT THEM THIS MORNING.

YEAH, WE WORKED ON THOSE FISH RIGHT THERE.

A LOT OF ACTION; WE WERE UP ON TOP OF THEM, CATCHING SOME FISH.

I DIDN'T HAVE VERY GOOD CONTROL OF THE TROLLING MOTOR THEY'LL BE BACK NOW.

SEE IF WE CAN PULL ONE OUT OF THAT HOLE RIGHT THERE.

CHUNKER.

I LIKE--A LOT OF TIMES, YOU'LL SEE THAT BIG WHIRL BEHIND YOUR BAIT BEFORE HE HITS IT, KIND OF WHEN THEY'RE GETTING THAT FIRST LOOK.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING'S GE TTING READY TO HAPPEN.

WHOA.

THEY'RE BACK.

GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BOAT MOMENTUM WITH HIM.

[laughs] MAKES HIM EVEN TOUGHER, DOESN'T IT?

YEAH.

I TELL YOU, YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THESE TREBLE HOOKS ON THESE.

BUT ONE THING: FISH DON'T EVER SWALLOW THAT BAIT TOO BAD.

YOU SELDOM--HE GETS HOOKED AROUND THE MOUTH, BUT SELDOM DO YOU GUT HOOK-- YOU NEVER GUT HOOK ONE.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE SMALLEST ONE WE'VE CAUGHT YET, BUT HE'S STILL A FIGHTING LITTLE FISH, ISN'T HE?

HE SURE IS.

(Hinchman) HE 'S COMING UP TO LOOK AT IT, ISN'T HE?

(Varner) HE SURE DID.

PROBABLY SEEN THAT BAIT A COUPLE TIMES.

SEEN BUT ONE OF HIS BUDDIES RU NNING AROUND WITH IT IN HIS MOUTH.

NOW, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, I KNOW YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE, BUT YOU REMEMBER LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, I CAUGHT TWO AT ONE TIME ON A PLUG.

YEAH, I'VE CAUGHT--SEVERAL TIMES I'VE CAUGHT TWO AT A TIME.

THEY WERE FIGHTING OVER IT.

TRYING TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE OTHER ONE'S MOUTH.

WHEN YOU CATCH TWO AT A TIME ON A PLUG, YOU KNOW THEY'RE BITING.

THROW RIGHT DOWN THAT BANK.

SEE IF YOU CAN PULL HIM BACK OUT OF THAT SIDE.

MAN!

THAT ONE'S HUNG UP ON THE BANK.

YOU WERE HUNG OVER THAT-- OH, HE GOT OFF.

I WAS HUNG OVER THAT LIMB, AND HE WANTS IT RI GHT ON THE BANK.

I DON'T THINK THAT ONE'S GONNA COME BACK.

PROBABLY MADE HIM MAD HE DIDN'T GET IT.

OH, HE DID COME BACK.

DID YOU SEE THAT BAIT GO OUT OF THE WATER?

YEAH.

(Hinchman) SOMETHING THERE?

(Varner) I THINK SOMETHING WAS THERE, 'CAUSE IT KI ND OF TOOK A BIG TURN.

FISH IS A LITTLE FAST, YEAH.

GOT HIM OUT.

GOT YOU?

GOOD.

HE'S SWINGING WIDE, ISN'T HE?

YEAH, HE'S SWINGING OUT.

HE'S RUNNING FOR HIGHER COVER.

GOING DEEP.

THERE HE SAW THE BOAT.

SAME CLASS FISH.

YEP.

HE'S PUTTING UP A FIGHT, ISN'T HE?

YEAH.

YOU GOT HIM NOW.

(Varner) ALL THEM HOOKS IN HIM ARE-- DOESN'T HAVE HIM.

(Hinchman) I TELL YOU WHAT, MARTY, GO OD THING ABOUT THESE FISH: THEY'RE REALLY AB OUT EVERYWHERE.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU HAVE TO COME TO THIS SPOT WHERE WE'RE AT.

ANY OF THESE MARSH BANKS, POINTS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING-- THAT'S RIGHT.

CREEKS.

THEY'LL LET YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

YEAH.

THEY'RE VERY TOLERANT OF SALT WATER AND FRESH WATER.

YOU CAN CATCH A ROCK TOPWATER; YOU JUST-- IT'S AN EARLY MORNING, LATE AFTERNOON TYPE OF BITE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S A GOOD WAY TO START AND FINISH A DAY.

JOE, THAT WAS A GOOD MORNING OF FISHING.

IT WAS, AND IT WAS A SHORT MORNING.

I MEAN, WE HAD--THE FISHING LASTED ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF.

BUT WHILE IT GOES ON, YOU KNOW, IT'S PRETTY FAST AND FURIOUS.

THOSE FISH ARE CHASING MINNOWS, THEY'RE ACTIVE, AND IT'S JUST A MATTER OF PUTTING THAT TOPWATER PLUG.

IN THAT SITUATION, THEY WERE REAL TIGHT TO THE BANK.

THE BANK ACTUALLY UNDERCUTS ITSELF, SO THEY WERE--IN SOME CASES, THE FISH WERE UNDERNEATH THE BANK, THE OVERHANG OF THE BANK, AND SO YOU HAD TO PUT THAT BAIT RIGHT UP WHERE THEY WERE.

BUT AS SOON AS IT HIT THE WATER, THEY WERE ON IT.

AND SO ONCE THEY QUIT FEEDING, IT'S OVER WITH FOR THE DAY.

SO IT HAPPENS ALL THROUGHOUT THE-- WE WERE OFF THE PAMLICO ON THAT TRIP, BUT PAMLICO, NEUSE RIVER-- ALL THESE RIVERS HAVE STRIPERS.

IF YOU GO IN THE MORNING EARLY AND SEARCH THESE BANKS, A LOT OF TIMES YOU'LL FIND THAT.

BUT WHEN IT'S OVER, IT'S OVER.

OH, IT'S-- THAT'S "GO HOME," YEAH.

LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE GEAR WE USE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

LATE SEPTEMBER, EARLY MORNING BITE, I SURE DID ENJOY THAT.

YEAH, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT: IT'S NOT REAL-- A LONG-LASTING BITE, BUT THAT TOPWATER ROCK BITE'S A LOT OF ACTION.

FISHING TODAY MOSTLY RIGHT DOWN THE BANK-- RIGHT ON THE BANK.

LOT OF TIMES, YOU CATCH THESE FISH OFF THE DROP-OFF JUST WHERE IT GOES DOWN, YOU KNOW, AND THEY'LL COME UP, AND THEY'LL TAKE THAT BAIT.

BEST ROD AND REEL TO FISH WITH-- YOU NEED ABOUT TEN-POUND TEST, 'CAUSE THIS FISH'LL BREAK YOUR LINE.

BAITCASTER MAKES IT EASIER TO FISH YOUR TOPWATER BAIT WHEN YOU REALLY GOT TO FINESSE IT.

I WAS USING MOSTLY--THIS IS JUST A SUPER SPOOK JR. GOT A HEAVY RATTLE IN IT, ALMOST LIKE A KNOCKER.

THIS IS A JUNIOR.

THIS IS JUST A REGULAR SUPER SPOOK.

BOTH ARE PRETTY MUCH SALTWATER BAITS.

TOP DOG, MIRROLURE MAKES IT.

SAME THING: HEAVY, KNOCKER-TYPE BAIT--KNOCKER-TYPE RATTLE IN IT.

I'D SAY PROBABLY THE MOST PRODUCTIVE TOPWATER ROCK BAIT THAT I'VE EVER USED IS THIS RATTLING CHUG BUG.

IT HAS, LIKE, BBs IN IT.

NOT NEAR AS LOUD; WHEN IT SITS IN THE WATER, IT HOVERS DOWN A LITTLE BIT LIKE THAT, SO WHEN YOUR ROCK COMES UP, HE HOOKS UP A LOT MORE FREQUENTLY.

YOU HOOKED UP TWICE AS MUCH AS I DID TODAY.

HAD JUST AS MANY RISES, BUT YOU HOOKED UP TWICE AS MUCH AS I DID, PROBABLY.

ONE THING ABOUT THESE BAITS: I SEE YOU GOT YOURS TIED ON WITH JUST A LITTLE CIRCLE SWIVEL THERE.

IF YOU TIE ON ANY OF THESE BAITS THAT DON'T HAVE A RING ON THE FRONT LIKE YOU'VE PUT ON THIS ONE...

RIGHT.

YOU GOT TO TIE THAT THING ON WITH A MIRROLURE KNOT OR A LOOP KNOT.

YOU DON'T WANT IT TIED FAST, 'CAUSE THAT LINE WORKS AS A BREAK.

YOU CAN'T MAKE IT WORK LIKE YOU NEED TO.

GOOD THING ABOUT THIS BAIT: NOT A WHOLE LOT OF FINESSING TO IT.

YOU CAN JUST KIND OF JERK IT ALONG, AND IT SPITS OUT THE FRONT, NO FINESSING TO IT.

BUT ON THE REST OF THESE BAITS, YOU REALLY HAVE TO GET IT OUT THERE AND GET IT STARTED AND TURN IT ON ITS AXIS.

"WALKING THE DOG" IS WHAT IT'S CALLED.

MM-HMM.

THESE ARE A LOT HARDER BAIT TO FISH THAN THIS CHUG BUG.

I LIKE THE EASY BAITS, MYSELF.

THAT'S RIGHT; IT'S A LOT EASIER TO USE WITH A SPINNING ROD TOO.

BUT ONE OF THESE BAITS YOU REALLY HAVE TO WORK ON.

AND THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST PRODUCTIVE.

AND I LIKE THAT CHARTREUSE COLOR.

I TELL YOU WHAT, A LOT OF ACTION FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

WE STILL GOT THE WHOLE DAY IN FRONT OF US.

WE CAN GO BACK AND WORK, OR WE CAN GO FISHING.

THAT'S A TOUGH DECISION.

LET'S GO FISHING.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO.

I ENJOYED THE MORNING.

I HOPE THE REST OF THE DAY TURNS OUT JUST AS GOOD.

WELL, WE HOPE YOU CAN USE THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

TODAY'S RECIPE IS ABOUT LEMON, SPINACH, AND FISH.

HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE GONNA MAKE A LEMON SPINACH FISH.

THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE.

IT GOES TOGETHER REAL QUICK AND EASY, BUT IT'S QUITE ELEGANT.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR WHITEFISH THAT IS REALLY MEATY-- YOU CAN USE SWORDFISH, OR I'VE USED PAHU TODAY OR SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE A STEAK.

YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS SOME MEAT TO IT.

WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR FISH FILLETS, AND I'M JUST GONNA PUT SOME LEMON JUICE ON IT.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA DREDGE IT IN OUR LEMON PEPPER BREADER.

WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND START HEATING UP OUR OIL.

AND I'VE USED SOME GRAPE SEED OIL, WHICH HAS A VERY HIGH SMOKE POINT, SO YOU CAN DO THESE REALLY QUICKLY ON THE COOKTOP.

SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR FISH, AND WE'RE JUST GONNA DREDGE IT INTO OUR BREADER AND COAT IT NICELY.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA SHAKE OFF THE EXTRAS AND PLACE THAT RIGHT THERE INTO OUR HOT OIL.

AND SEE, WE'RE GETTING SOME NICE GOOD SIZZLE GOING ON.

AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO AHEAD AND FILL UP OUR PAN WITH THIS.

WE'RE GONNA COOK THESE FOR ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MINUTES ON EACH SIDE, JUST UNTIL THEY'RE NICE AND CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE AND COOKED THROUGH TO THE MIDDLE.

AND IF YOU USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FISH, SOME FISHES PEOPLE LIKE BETTER MEDIUM RARE, AND THAT'S FINE.

YOU CAN DO THAT AS WELL.

I PREFER MINE COOKED THROUGHOUT, BUT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY HAS THEIR PREFERENCE.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GO AHEAD AND COOK THOSE.

AND WHILE THAT IS COOKING, WE'RE GONNA-- WELL, ONCE THAT IS ALL COOKED AND BROWNED AND FINISHED, WE'RE GONNA MAKE A LITTLE SAUCE TO GO OVER THIS.

SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR PAN-- WE'RE GONNA USE TV.

SO WE HAVE OUR PAN HERE WITH ALL OF OUR LITTLE CRUMBLES IN IT, AND WE'RE GONNA PLACE IN SOME WHITE WINE AND SOME CHICKEN BROTH.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THAT IN OUR PAN.

I'VE ALREADY PUT A LITTLE BIT IN HERE, AND WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND SAUTE THAT UP WE'RE GONNA PUT IN SOME GARLIC-- AND YOU CAN USE FRESH GARLIC IF YOU LIKE.

I LIKE THE KIND THAT YOU GET IN THE JAR, 'CAUSE THEN I KNOW I ALWAYS HAVE IT.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN SOME LEMON JUICE, SOME FRESH LEMON JUICE.

MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET OUR SEEDS IN THERE.

AND WE'RE READY TO GO.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA COOK THIS UNTIL IT STARTS TO BUBBLE.

AND THEN IT WILL START TO REDUCE AS WELL, 'CAUSE YOU WANT IT TO THICKEN UP A LITTLE BIT, SO YOU'RE GONNA COOK IT UNTIL IT REDUCES BY HALF.

AND THEN WHAT WE'RE--SEE, WE'RE ALREADY STARTING TO SIZZLE HERE.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE NICE CRUMBLES THAT WE HAVE FROM OUR FISH BEFORE.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD IN SOME FRESH SPINACH.

AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY, IF YOU'RE, LIKE, "UGH, I DON'T REALLY LIKE SPINACH"-- THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO EAT IT.

BECAUSE YOU'RE SAUTEING IT, IT'S GONNA BE NICE AND SOFT.

IT'S GONNA HAVE ALL THESE GREAT LEMON FLAVORS TO IT.

THEN IT WILTS PRETTY QUICKLY.

AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T OVERWILT IT.

YOU DON'T WANT IT TO LOSE ALL OF ITS COLOR.

SEE THE BRIGHT COLORS THAT WE'RE GETTING AS IT STARTS TO COOK?

AND PUT YOUR LID ON IF YOU WANT AND JUST STEAM THAT UP REAL QUICKLY.

BUT THEN WE'RE READY TO GO.

I'M GONNA TURN MY HEAT OFF.

JUST GIVE IT A LITTLE SHAKE.

I'M GONNA TURN THIS SO YOU CAN SEE HOW NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN THESE ARE GETTING.

LOOK AT THAT.

THAT LOOKS SO GREAT.

NICE AND BROWN.

EVERYBODY WAS THINKING THEY WERE A DIFFERENT-- THAT THEY WERE PORK CHOPS, THEY WERE SO THICK.

SO THERE WE GO.

THOSE ARE NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN AND GREAT.

AND THEN I HAVE SOME OVER HERE ON MY PLATE THAT I COOKED AHEAD.

AND THEN WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, I'M JUST GONNA TAKE MY SPINACH AND-- LET ME GET MY LITTLE SPOON-- AND WE'RE JUST GONNA TOP OUR FISH WITH OUR SPINACH.

AND THIS WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU WANTED TO SERVE THIS WITH SOME RICE OR SOME PASTA, OR SOME MASHED POTATOES ARE NICE TOO.

IT'S JUST A GREAT, BEAUTIFUL DISH THAT GOES TOGETHER QUICK AND EASILY BUT IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME AND NUTRITIOUS AND GREAT TO EAT.

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

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DONNA.

JOE, I WANT TO GO BACK.

YOU TALK ABOUT THAT FISHING ON TOPWATER FOR STRIPERS: IT'S EITHER THERE, OR IT'S NOT.

THERE'S NO IN BETWEEN.

WELL, THAT'S IT; I MEAN, THEY'RE EITHER ON OR OFF, AND ONCE YOU GET ON THEM, WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT IT IS HOW HARD THEY HIT THE BAITS.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

THEY WANT TO EAT THAT BAIT.

AND USING LIGHT TACKLE TOO, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, SIX-POUND TEST ON THAT FISH.

I MEAN, YOU CAN GO EIGHT, BUT SIX IS-- THAT'S PERFECT.

YOU KNOW, PRETTY LIMBER ROD.

YOU NEED A LITTLE BACKBONE JUST TO BE ABLE TO SET THE HOOK, BUT EVEN IF YOU MISS SOME, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

THAT DAY, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY STRIPERS WERE THERE, BUT WE--THE GUYS HAD THEIR HANDS FULL WHILE WE WERE ON THEM, BUT AS SOON AS THAT SUN POPPED OUT, YOU COULD JUST CUT IT OFF, 'CAUSE THAT WAS IT, AND GO ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

BUT IN LATE SUMMER, THROUGHOUT THE COAST, YOU CAN--IF YOU CAN FIND THAT, GIVE IT A TRY.

THAT WAS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF FISHERMAN'S LUCK TOO.

WELL, YEAH, I MEAN, THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN FISHING-- THEY KNOW THESE AREAS TOO, AND THEY'VE BEEN ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT YEAH, I MEAN, JUST, IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT AND YOU'RE OUT THERE LOOKING, IT'S A MATTER OF SOME LUCK, YEAH.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: "WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA" MAGAZINE.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

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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.

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