[gentle orchestral fanfare] HE'S COMING RIGHT OFF THAT SAND BAR.

HE'S TUGGIN'.

HE FELT LIKE A STUMP.

WELL, HE MIGHT'VE BEEN ON A STUMP.

HE MIGHT'VE JUST COME GOT YOU OFF A STUMP.

OH, HE GONNA SHOW HIMSELF.

YEAH, THAT'S A NICE FISH.

LOOK AT THAT!

WHOA.

THAT'S WHAT WE COME LOOKING FOR.

YEAH, GOOD FISH.

JUST A LITTLE BIT-- I GOT HER.

MMM, LOOK IT THERE.

YES, SIR.

THAT TOOK A WHILE.

THAT DID.

[chuckling] THAT TOOK A WHILE.

YEAH, JUST TO MAKE MY WIFE HAPPY, I'LL SAY "NICE FISH."

YEAH, YOU GONNA KISS IT?

SHE SAID, "NO--" - [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] ♪ WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

IF YOU LIKE BASS FISHING, THIS SHOW IS GONNA BE A GOOD ONE FOR YOU TODAY.

JOE, NOTHING LIKE FISHING FOR BASS ON A LAKE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WE'RE GONNA DO-- WE'RE GONNA DO THAT TODAY WITH PHIL CABLE, WHO GOT US UP HERE IN THE PIEDMONT.

AND JOE DORMAN, WHO'S ALWAYS WITH US WHEN IT COMES TO BASS FISHING.

HE'S DONE A LOT OF BASS FISHING SHOWS FOR US.

AND LAST YEAR, WE FISHED WITH HIM AND THEY WERE FISHING PLUGS, DEEP DIVING PLUGS.

THIS SUMMER, WE WENT OUT USING PLASTIC WORMS-- SOFT BAITS, JIGS.

DOING IT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, A LITTLE SHALLOWER WATER.

LAST YEAR IT WAS LATER IN THE SUMMER, DEEPER WATER STRUCTURE.

AND, YEAH, PHIL'S BEEN FISHING UP HERE A LONG TIME AND HE KNOWS WHERE THESE FISH LIKE TO HANG OUT WHEN THE WATER STARTS WARMING UP.

BUT TODAY'S SHOW, WE'RE GONNA BE IN A LITTLE SHALLOWER WATER.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE.

BUT PAY ATTENTION AND HE'LL TEACH YOU SOMETHING.

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THOSE BAITS AND GEAR TIMING.

DONNA'S GOT SOMETHING SPECIAL TODAY.

BLUEBERRY CORNMEAL BISCUITS.

AND BUDDY, I'M GONNA TELL YOU SOMETHING.

TALK ABOUT CATCHING FISH; THIS IS OFF THE HOOK.

(Joe) THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU ADD THAT WITH SOME FRESH FISH-- WITH ANYTHING.

IT'S JUST A REALLY GOOD RECIPE FROM HER TODAY.

ALL RIGHT, WE GOT A GREAT FISHING ADVENTURE FOR YOU AND A WONDERFUL RECIPE HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL PHIL, IT'S JULY THE FIRST.

WE'RE STARTIN' A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN WE DID LAST YEAR UP HERE AT JORDAN LAKE.

WE'RE GONNA TRY TO CATCH SOME FISH ON SOME PLASTICS.

MAYBE A LITTLE SHALLOWER THAN LAST YEAR.

YOU GOT SOME GOOD PLACES PICKED OUT FOR US?

I HOPE SO.

WE'RE GONNA FISH AROUND THE LAKE.

SEE WHAT WE CAN PUT TOGETHER TODAY.

LOOKS LIKE A GOOD DAY TO CATCH 'EM.

WE'LL DO PRETTY GOOD TODAY.

CAUGHT 'EM ON CRANK BAITS LAST YEAR.

WE'RE GONNA TRY WHAT?

CAROLINA RIGS AND TEXAS RIGS.

TEXAS RIGS.

PROBABLY THROW A BIG OLD HEAVY JIG.

WE'LL THROW SOME BAITS LIKE THAT THIS TIME AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH 'EM.

LATELY THAT'S BEEN THE BETTER BITE OVER THE CRANK BAIT ANYHOW, SO WE'LL SEE WHAT IT'LL DO.

OKAY.

YEP, FISH ON!

LITTLE GUY.

IT'S A START THOUGH.

YEAH.

THEY WILL BITE.

IT'S TOUGH-- LOOK AT HOW STRONG HE IS.

YEAH, YEAH.

I DON'T THINK HE'S QUITE AS LITTLE AS THAT ONE YOU CAUGHT.

NO, HE AIN'T.

COME HERE.

BOY, HE ATE IT TOO.

YEP, HE DID EAT IT.

WAS OUT HERE ON THE ROCK PILE.

NEED SOME HELP?

I THINK I GOT HIM.

WANT ME TO PULL THAT LINE SO YOU COULD SEE?

GOT HIM-- OH, THIS ONE'S GOT SOME SHOULDERS.

FEEL LIKE A GOOD FISH?

IT DOES.

OH.

STAY WITH HIM.

LET ME GET MY STUFF IN NOW.

OF COURSE, HE MIGHT BE A STRONG 3-POUNDER.

BUT HE SURE FEELS PRETTY BIG.

HE'S PULLING GOOD, ISN'T HE?

LET US SEE.

MM!

THERE HE GOES.

STAY WITH HIM, PHIL.

THERE YOU GO.

YEAH, THAT'S A CHUB.

YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD FISH.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

FELL RIGHT OUT, DIDN'T IT?

YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THAT FISH HOOKED.

I DIDN'T WANT TO HURT HIM.

I CAUGHT THAT FISH.

OKAY.

[both laughing] NOW LOOK IT THERE.

YEAH.

THAT'S A SOLID FISH.

PRETTY FISH.

NOW YOU WERE LUCKY TO GET THAT FISH IN THE BOAT.

I JUST KEPT MY LINE TIGHT.

HE JUST DIDN'T COME UP SHAKING.

AND HE WANTED ME-- HE WANTED TO BE CAUGHT.

HE WANTED TO COME SEE US.

YEAH, IF HE'D PROBABLY COME UP AND SHOOK ONE TIME THAT WOULD'VE BEEN ALL SHE WROTE.

SHE'D HAVE BEEN GONE.

ALL RIGHT, WELL, GO GET MAMA.

GOOD JOB.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIND ME ONE LIKE THAT.

WELL PHIL, WE'VE HAD A GOOD START.

IT WAS A PRETTY MORNING THIS MORNING.

HARDLY ANY WIND.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S GONNA GET HOT.

BUT YOU'VE ALREADY GOT ONE GOOD KEEPER IN THE BOAT.

WE GOT A GOOD START ON THEM.

YEAH, THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO START-- IN THE MORNING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WEATHER'S GONNA DO TODAY?

THEY SAY 96, 97.

THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON.

IT'S GONNA BE HUMID.

IT'S GONNA BE TOUGH.

WELL MAYBE WE'LL GET SOME WIND.

A LITTLE CLOUD COVER FROM TIME TO TIME.

YEAH, THAT WOULD BE A BIG HELP.

AS LONG AS WE GOT A LITTLE BREEZE, A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER, WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT.

WELL YOU GOT A GOOD START ON IT.

MAYBE I CAN CATCH UP WITH YOU HERE IN A MINUTE.

YOU PROBABLY WILL.

YOU BEEN KNOWN TO...

I GET BEHIND.

SPOT YOU A COUPLE.

NICE FISH THERE, PHIL.

MM-HMM.

PRETTY DECENT FISH.

RIGHT UP UNDER THE BOAT.

HE'S ON THE EDGE OF THE CHANNEL.

HE DONE MOVED OUT OFF THAT FLAT.

HE WAS RIGHT ON THE EDGE.

HE DIDN'T GIVE YOU-- GIVE YOU MUCH TIME TO PLAY WITH HIM THOUGH.

THAT'S RIGHT PRETTY.

MM-HMM.

LOOK AT THE SPOT ON HIM THERE.

A LITTLE SORE.

HAD HIM HOOKED GOOD.

FAT, HEALTHY FISH.

THAT PRETTY?

HE'LL DO.

TRY TO CATCH ONE FURTHER OUT SO WE CAN PLAY WITH HIM SOME MORE.

I'LL TAKE 'EM WHERE THEY COME.

I KNOW.

HARD AS THEY ARE TO COME BY.

MAYBE THEY'RE GONNA GET TURNED ON NOW.

PHIL, NORMALLY WHEN I FISH OFFSHORE.

WE FISH IN JUST A SMALL HUMP.

JUST ONE LITTLE BUNCH OF STUMPS.

BUT TODAY WE'RE SEEMING TO CATCH 'EM MORE ON WHERE THERE'S, LIKE, A LONG RIDGE.

YEAH, A LOT OF TIMES THESE PLACES ESPECIALLY LOOK FOR, LIKE, BARS OR RIDGES.

SOMETHING THAT'LL RUN DOWN AND RUN BY A CREEK CHANNEL OR THE RIVER CHANNEL.

THIS PARTICULAR SPOT WE'RE ON RIGHT NOW IS LIKE A SAND BAR.

AND IT RUNS OUT AND IT RUNS RIGHT DOWN TO WHERE A LITTLE CREEK WRAPS OFF AT THE END OF IT.

JUST A GOOD PLACE FOR THEM TO RUN UP AND FEED.

THEY GOT ACCESS TO DEEP WATER, TO GET OFF OF IT TOO, SO IT'S-- I LOOK FOR A LOT OF PLACES LIKE THIS WITHIN THE SO-CALLED HUMPS AND STUFF.

I REALLY DO GOOD ON A LOT OF THESE-- OH, I MISSED HIM!

YOU MISSED HIM.

I MISSED HIM.

HE WAS-- HA HA HA!

WE MAY BE-- YEAH, LOOK WHAT I DID.

BROKE YOUR LINE, YEAH.

YEAH, I TOLD YOU I SAW THOSE FISH RIGHT THERE.

WE'RE SITTING RIGHT ON TOP OF THE FISH.

SITTING RIGHT ON THEM.

ON THE DEPTH FINDER.

LET ME GRAB YOU A HOOK.

I NEED A HOOK AND A WORM.

I TOLD YOU I WAS GONNA PULL ONE OFF.

YEAH, WE GOT RIGHT ON THE SPOT HERE.

NOT AS NICE AS YOURS NOW.

HE'S...

HE'S NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS THAT LAST ONE YOU CAUGHT.

BUT HE'S STILL A CHUB.

OH, YEAH, HE'S A GOOD ONE.

HE'S A KEEPER FISH.

THERE YOU GO.

A GOOD KEEPER FISH UP HERE.

OH, YEAH.

16-INCHER.

YEAH.

NOT AS HEALTHY AS THAT LAST ONE.

HE'S JUST STARTING TO MOVE OUT HERE AND FEED UP, I GUESS.

YEAH, THEY LOOK A LITTLE THIN.

THEY'RE PROBABLY STILL RECOVERING FROM THAT...

THE STORM.

BUT THEY'LL BE FAT AND SASSY BEFORE LONG.

WON'T BE LONG.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE OUT HERE.

MM-HMM.

FEEDIN' UP FOR THE SUMMERTIME.

LET'S TRY 'EM AGAIN.

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ THERE'S A FISH, PHIL.

GOT A GOOD ONE?

WELL...MAYBE.

HE'S STAYING DOWN.

I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM YET.

PULLING PRETTY GOOD.

YEAH, I THINK YOU GOT ONE OF THEM TUBES.

ONE OF THEM TUBES?

ONE OF THEM TUBES.

OH, LOOK AT THAT.

AH, WELL... WELL... DO YOU NEED HELP WITH HIM?

I THINK I CAN HANDLE THE LITTLE GUY.

BUT HEY, HE COUNTS.

AS HARD AS YOU WORK TO CATCH THESE GUYS, THEY ALL COUNT.

WELL, WE GONNA THROW 'EM ALL BACK 'CAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT A KEEPER THEY'RE JUST NOT A KEEPER.

EXACTLY.

HE HIT LIKE A BIG FELLA.

IT'S WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THEY THINK THEY'RE BIG EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT.

LET ME GET UP HERE AND THROW THIS BIG WORM IN THERE, SEE IF I CAN CATCH THAT BIG ONE.

YEAH, GET THAT BIG ONE OUT OF MY WAY SO I CAN GET THAT SMALL ONE.

[chuckling] I'M THAT KIND OF FELLA, SEE?

I LIKE TO DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO HURT YOUR ARM OR NOTHING.

YEAH, THOSE BIG ONES-- THEY'RE A LOT OF WORK.

THEY DO, THEY HURT YOUR ARM.

YEAH.

THE OLDER I GOT-- MUSCLES GETTING SORE AND JOINTS GETTING SORE.

BUT I COULD STILL HANDLE ONE OF THOSE.

PHIL, THE FISH ON THIS RIDGE ARE IN 7-, 8-FOOT UP TO WHAT, 12 OR SO?

YEAH, THE BITES WE'VE HAD SO FAR PROBABLY HAVE BEEN ABOUT 7-, 8-FOOT OF WATER.

THEY'RE JUST STAGING UP THERE TO MOVE DEEPER THE HOTTER THE WATER TEMPERATURE GETS?

YEAH, YEAH-- THEY'LL MOVE UP AND DOWN THESE THINGS TO FEED.

BUT AS THE WATER GETS HOTTER, THEY'LL GET OUT THERE AND STAY DEEPER 'CAUSE THE FOOD WILL STAY DEEPER.

YEAH.

THEY STAY RIGHT IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE-- PRETTY MUCH GONNA FOLLOW THE BAIT, AREN'T THEY?

YEAH, THEY'RE GONNA STAY WITH THE BAIT.

OH, LORD!

THAT'S, LIKE, A REAL GOOD FISH.

A REAL GOOD FISH.

PUT THE NET ON THAT ONE, PHIL.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

[laughing] COME HERE, BUDDY.

THERE YOU GO.

OLD BIG WORM DONE THE TRICK.

PHIL, THAT'S A NICE FISH.

OH, YEAH, SHE'S A PRETTY FISH.

A GOOD 5-, 6-POUND FISH.

AND THAT BIG WORM.

THE BIG WORM GOT HER, DIDN'T IT?

I TELL YOU WHAT.

THAT'S A HOSS HEAD.

THAT'S A HOSS.

OLD BASS WAS A MEAN THING.

MM-HMM.

THEY'LL EAT STUFF BIGGER THAN THEY ARE.

I USED TO ALWAYS SAY IF A BASS EVER WEIGHED A HUNDRED POUNDS, YOU WOULDN'T EVER WANT TO GET IN THE WATER.

NO, SIR.

HE WOULD EAT YOU.

WORSE THAN A SHARK.

THAT'S A GOOD JOB THERE.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO THAT AGAIN.

I'M SURE THAT WE'RE GONNA PICK THESE BOYS OUT.

YEAH.

PHIL, I BET THERE'S BEEN MORE FISH CAUGHT ON A CAROLINA RIG UP HERE FROM LATE MAY TO JUNE, ON THROUGH AUGUST THAN ANY OTHER BAIT.

OH, YEAH.

THERE ARE ACTUALLY GUYS THAT'LL THROW THIS THING YEAR-ROUND TOO.

I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF THEIR STAPLE OF WHAT THEY'RE GONNA CATCH THEIR FISH ON.

WELL, IT'S VERSATILE.

YEAH, IT IS.

YOU CAN THROW A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS ON IT.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT BAITS.

AND IT CATCHES A LOT OF FISH.

YOU GOTTA THROW IT IF YOU'RE GONNA BASS FISH.

IT'S JUST, IT'S A GOOD FISH-CATCHING TOOL.

ONCE THEY GET OUT, THEY'RE OVER 15, 18 FEET.

SO BASICALLY THE ONLY THING YOU CAN GET DOWN TO THEM OTHER THAN A JIG OR SOMETHING.

AND IT FORGIVES YOU TOO.

YOU KNOW, A FISH BITES A CAROLINA RIG, UH...HE DOESN'T REALLY SENSE THAT YOU'RE ON THE OTHER END OF THAT LINE.

BUT YOU'VE GOT THAT LEADER OUT THERE FLOATING AROUND.

HEARD A GUY SAY ONE TIME-- HE SHOWED THESE TWO GUYS HOW TO THROW A CAROLINA RIG.

AND THE OTHER FELLA SAID-- HE FISHED AGAINST THEM.

HE SAID, "I WISH YOU'D NEVER DONE THAT."

HE SAID, "WHY?"

HE SAID, "THEY'RE THE TWO WORST WORM FISHERMAN I KNOW "IN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT YOU JUST GAVE THEM A LOADED GUN."

YEAH.

THEY'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO CATCH FISH ON THAT.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

THAT FELT LIKE SUCH A GOOD FISH RIGHT THERE.

HE'S A LITTLE BETTER THAN WHAT YOU BEEN CATCHING.

WELL... [laughing] THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THERE'S ANOTHER JOE FISH.

THAT'S BEEN MY SIZE TODAY.

YEAH, BUT HE'S A FISH.

THEY ALL COUNT.

THEY'RE A LOT OF FUN.

THEY'RE STILL SOLID AND HEALTHY.

THEY PULL GOOD.

AND THERE'S A BIGGER ONE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE... THAT WE COULD GET A HOLD OF.

MAYBE THAT'LL HAPPEN ANY SEC.

GOOD SPOT FOR ONE.

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

I THOUGHT YOU HAD HIM THAT TIME.

THAT FISH BIT-- PICKED UP GOOD, SOLID.

LIKE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO.

PHIL, TELL ME ABOUT FISHIN' WORMS.

CAROLINA RIG VERSUS TEXAS RIG OUT HERE WHEN YOU'RE ON THIS DEEP SPOTS.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS REMEMBER TO WORK THE BAIT WITH YOUR ROD.

BY THAT, I MEAN DON'T CRANK THE BAIT WITH YOUR REEL.

BECAUSE IF YOU DO AND THE FISH HITS, HE'S GONNA AUTOMATICALLY FEEL YOU.

BUT IF YOU DRAG THAT BAIT ALONG OR HOP IT WITH YOUR ROD, THEN TAKE UP YOUR SLACK WITH YOUR REEL YOU'RE MORE IN TUNE TO FEEL THE FISH BITE AND NOT LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU KNOW HE'S BIT.

SAME THING WITH A TEXAS RIG.

WORK THE BAIT WITH YOUR ROD AND ALWAYS TAKE UP YOU SLACK WITH YOUR REEL.

YOU DON'T WANT TO LET IT GO TOTALLY-- YOU WANT TO STAY IN TUNE WITH IT.

BUT YOU KNOW, KEEP IT TIGHT WHERE YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

BE ABLE TO KEEP THE TENSION ON IT SO YOU CAN FEEL THE FISH BITE.

SURE.

BUT NOT TOO MUCH TENSION, BECAUSE IF HE FEELS YOU, HE'LL SPIT IT RIGHT BACK OUT.

IF YOU'RE CRANKING AWAY, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH WHEN HE STRIKES MOST TIMES.

AND YOU'LL MISS THE FISH.

FISHED A REAL CLEAR LAKE DOWN AT-- CLOSE TO WILMINGTON.

SUTTON LAKE, WHICH WAS A POWER PLANT.

REAL CLEAR.

YOU COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE CAROLINA RIG DOWN THERE IN 6-FOOT OF WATER.

AND YOU COULD WATCH IT WORK.

WHEN YOU'RE PICKING UP THAT ROD, YOU TWITCH.

AND IT'S LIKE A FLOATING WORM ON TOP.

IT TWITCHES BACK AND FORTH.

KIND OF A SWIM ACTION.

YEAH, HE COME RIGHT OFF THAT SAND BAR.

HE'S TUGGIN'.

HE FELT LIKE STUMP.

WELL, YOU MIGHT'VE BEEN ON A STUMP.

HE MIGHT'VE JUST COME, GOT YOU OFF A STUMP.

OH, HE GONNA SHOW HIMSELF.

YEAH.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

LOOK AT THAT!

WHOA!

THAT'S WHAT WE COME LOOKING FOR.

YEAH, GOOD FISH.

JUST A LITTLE BIT-- I GOT HER.

LOOK IT THERE.

YES, SIR.

THAT TOOK A WHILE.

THAT DID.

[laughing] THAT TOOK A WHILE, YEAH.

JUST TO MAKE MY WIFE HAPPY I'LL SAY, "NICE FISH!"

YOU GONNA KISS IT?

NO, I'M NOT GONNA KISS IT.

I'M GONNA MAKE HER SO HAPPY.

SHE SAID, "WHY DO THESE GUYS CATCH THESE FISH-- THE ALWAYS SAY NICE FISH?"

I SAID 'CAUSE YOU GO ABOUT FOUR HOURS AND DON'T SEE ONE.

NICE FISH.

LET'S DO THAT AGAIN.

I'LL SAY, THAT MIGHT BE AN HOUR.

THERE'S A STUMP RIGHT THERE.

AND I PULLED INTO THE STUMP.

I LITERALLY THINK HE PULLED THE BAIT OFF THE STUMP.

DEFINITELY A STUMP THERE, 'CAUSE YOU PULLED UP AND IT STOPPED.

TOOK OFF WITH IT.

MAYBE IT'S LIKE ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS.

MAYBE HE JUST FOOLIN'.

YEAH.

WHAT YOU NEED?

I NEED A WORM.

WHERE DO I FIND THEM AT?

RIGHT HERE.

AND I WANT A GREEN PUMPKIN ONE.

JOE, IT'S EASY TO SAY THAT PHIL PUT US ON THE FISH THAT DAY.

HE DID.

AND HE GUIDES UP HERE AND HE KNOWS WHERE THE FISH-- WHAT THE FISH DO WHEN CONDITIONS START CHANGING.

WHEN THEY'RE UP CLOSE TO SHORE, YOU CAN CATCH FISH.

AND FAIRLY RELIABLE.

BUT WHEN THEY MOVE OFFSHORE, THAT TAKES A SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE.

AND THAT COMES FROM SPENDING A LOT OF TIME OUT THERE ON THE WATER.

AND HE DOES THAT AND HE PUTS US ON FISH.

LET'S GET SOME POINTERS ON HOW TO RIG RIGHT.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ WELL PHIL, WE GOT IT WRAPPED UP HERE.

CAUGHT A FEW FISH.

HAD TO FISH IN A LOT OF PLACES TO CATCH A FEW FISH.

YEAH.

THEY JUST DIDN'T COOPERATE LIKE WE HOPED THEY WOULD.

NO, IT'S BEEN KIND OF A TOUGH DAY.

WE PLUCKED WHAT?

PROBABLY FIVE, SIX, SEVEN FISH.

WE HAD SOME GOOD FISH THERE.

I THINK WE HAD, WELL, THREE OR FOUR REALLY NICE FISH.

YEAH, YOU CAUGHT THE BETTER FISH THIS TIME.

WELL, YOU GOT TO GET THEM LAST TIME.

IT WAS MY TURN.

I'LL GET 'EM NEXT TIME.

YEAH, WE HAD A MIX.

WE HAD PRETTY WEATHER, SUNNY, WINDY, CLOUDY-- YEAH.

AND IT CALMED BACK DOWN AGAIN.

YEAH, IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

I GUESS THAT FRONT JUST KIND OF SHUT THE FISH DOWN.

I THINK IT DID.

IT KIND OF COOLED THINGS DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

THE WATER SURFACE TEMPERATURE WENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

THEY JUST DIDN'T-- SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF BAIT FISH IN A LOT OF AREAS.

I'M PRETTY SURE THE FISH WERE THERE.

WE JUST DIDN'T FIND THE MAGIC WEAPON TO MAKE 'EM BITE.

WELL, WE THREW A LOT OF STUFF.

TELL ME WHAT WE CAUGHT-- CAROLINA RIG FISH, TEXAS RIG FISH.

MM-HMM.

WE THREW A LOT OF JIGS AND STUFF.

YEAH, WE THREW JIGS.

DIDN'T DO NOTHING WITH THOSE TODAY, BUT I NORMALLY USE THOSE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

WE THREW, UM... WE THREW THIS BIG WORM.

LIKE THIS ACCOUNTED FOR SOME OF THE BIG FISH WE CAUGHT.

AND THE CAROLINA RIG... WITH DIFFERENT PLASTICS.

THAT'S A LITTLE 6-INCH TRICK WORM RIGHT THERE.

AND WE THREW DIFFERENT COLORS, TRIED TO MIX IT UP, SEE WHAT THEY REALLY WANTED.

EVEN THREW A LIZARD A LITTLE BIT.

USED TO BE A REAL POPULAR BAIT RIGHT THERE.

BUT PEOPLE QUIT THROWING IT SO MUCH.

AND I FOUND HERE THIS SUMMER IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S WORKING PRETTY GOOD AGAIN.

DIDN'T REALLY GET 'EM TO BITE IT TODAY.

COURSE THEY WEREN'T BITING MUCH OF ANYTHING TOO GOOD TODAY.

THEY WEREN'T CHASING THE BAIT AT ALL.

NO, NO THEY WEREN'T.

I DON'T BELIEVE A CRANK BAIT WOULD'VE DONE 'EM ANY JUSTICE.

I DON'T THINK THEY WERE-- WANTED TO THROW IT A LITTLE BIT.

WE WANTED TO.

WE DECIDED WE WERE GONNA TRY TO CATCH 'EM ON THIS PLASTIC TODAY.

WHEN YOU'RE THROWING THAT CAROLINA RIG, YOU LIKE THE LONG ROD, I KNOW.

MM-HMM.

I USE A 7 1/2-FOOT ROD WITH A LOT OF BACKBONE.

IT HELPS SETTING THE HOOK, ESPECIALLY IN A LONG CAST.

AND HANDLE THESE HEAVY WEIGHTS THAT WE THROW, 'CAUSE I USE AT LEAST A 3/4-OUNCE BULLET WEIGHT.

WILL GO TO A ONE-OUNCE IF IT'S REAL WINDY.

SO YOU NEED A ROD THAT'LL HANDLE THE BAIT.

YOU GO IN THERE WITH A FLIMSY LIGHT ROD, IT'S NOT GONNA HANDLE THAT KIND OF WEIGHT.

I NOTICED YOU'VE, UH... YOU USE A DIFFERENT WEIGHT LINE ON YOUR LEADER TOO.

YEAH, I DO.

I USE A 20-POUND MAIN LINE.

AND I USE ANYWHERE FROM A 12- TO A 14-POUND TEST LEADER.

THAT WAY IF I DO HANG UP AND IT'S WITH THE HOOK, LOT OF TIMES, ALL I'LL LOSE IS THE HOOK.

AND I KEEP THE BARREL, SWIVEL, AND THE WEIGHTS.

I DON'T LOSE ALL THE RIG.

I JUST HATE RE-TYING THE RIG THE WHOLE TIME.

YEAH.

[chuckling] WELL, I'VE ENJOYED IT.

WE'LL COME BACK AND TRY IT AGAIN SINCE IT'LL BE MY TURN NEXT TIME.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

I APPRECIATE THE INVITE.

ENJOYED IT.

YES, SIR.

WE HOPE YOU CAN USE THAT INFORMATION.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA IN THE KITCHEN.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE FOR BLUEBERRY CORNMEAL BISCUITS.

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING SOME CORNMEAL BISCUITS.

AND WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME DRIED FRUIT TO THESE.

THEY ARE SO GREAT.

AND THEY LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL COMING OUT OF YOUR OVEN.

AND THEN THEY'RE NICE AND CRUNCHY INSIDE.

YOU'RE JUST GONNA LOVE 'EM.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

THEY GO TOGETHER REALLY QUICK AND SIMPLE.

WE'RE GONNA START OUT WITH TWO CUPS OF OUR YELLOW CORNMEAL.

YOU CAN USE SELF-RISING CORNMEAL IF YOU LIKE.

I'VE USED UN-RISING OR NON-RISING CORNMEAL.

JUST PLAIN.

AND WE'RE GONNA ADD IN JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BAKING POWDER.

BUT IF YOU USE THE SELF-RISING, THE BAKING POWDER'S ALREADY IN THERE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

WE'RE GONNA ADD IN ABOUT TWO TABLESPOONS OF SUGAR.

AND ABOUT 3/4 CUP OF FLOUR.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS ALL THAT TOGETHER.

SO THIS GOES TOGETHER REALLY QUICK.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR FAMILY BEFORE THEY GO TO SCHOOL OR BEFORE YOU GO OUT IN THE MORNING TO GO FISH OR HUNT.

OR SOMETHING YOU CAN JUST TAKE WITH YOU IF YOU GET HUNGRY.

THEY'RE REALLY YUMMY.

THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE ABOUT 1/2 CUP TO 3/4 OF A CUP OF DRIED FRUIT.

I LIKE TO USE THE DRIED BLUEBERRIES.

AND THERE'S DRIED RASPBERRIES AND DRIED CHERRIES IN HERE.

IT JUST MAKES A NICE VARIETY OF FLAVORS AND CRUNCH IN HERE AS WELL.

AND WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO-- WE'RE GONNA TOSS IT WITH OUR FLOWER, UM, FLOWER AND CORNMEAL MIXTURE SO THAT WAY ALL OF YOUR BERRIES, YOUR DRIED FRUIT, DON'T END UP ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BISCUIT.

AND IT COATS THEM WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD ABOUT FOUR TABLESPOONS OF MELTED BUTTER...IN HERE, AND THEN 3/4 CUP OF MILK.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA MIX ALL THAT TOGETHER.

AND IT GOES TOGETHER.

IT'S GONNA BE KIND OF A SOFT DOUGH.

A LITTLE BIT SOFTER THAN A NORMAL BISCUIT.

BUT NOT QUITE AS SOFT AS A MUFFIN.

WE'RE JUST GONNA INCORPORATE ALL THAT TOGETHER, JUST UNTIL ALL THE DRY INGREDIENTS ARE MOISTENED.

AND THIS'LL MAKE PROBABLY 8 TO 12 MUFFINS AND BISCUITS DEPENDING ON WHAT SIZE YOU MAKE.

SO ONCE IT'S ALL MIXED TOGETHER-- I LINED MY BAKING SHEET WITH SOME NON-STICK FOIL OR YOU CAN USE PARCHMENT PAPER JUST FOR EASY CLEAN-UP.

AND THEN JUST DROP THESE.

THEY SAY MAYBE, LIKE, 1/4 OF A TABLESPOON.

OR I MEAN 1/4 OF A CUP SIZE, BUT I LIKE TO MAKE MINE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

I FIGURE IF I'M GONNA EAT A BISCUIT, I WANT IT TO BE PRETTY DECENT SIZE.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA DROP THOSE.

WE'RE GONNA BAKE THOSE AT ABOUT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

JUST UNTIL THEY'RE NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

AND IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN BRUSH A LITTLE BIT OF MELTED BUTTER ON TOP OF THEM ONCE-- RIGHT WHEN THEY COME OUT OF THE OVEN.

OR JUST BREAK ONE OPEN AND PUT SOME BUTTER OR SOME HONEY ON IT.

THEY'RE JUST SO FABULOUS.

THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY COME OUT.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE GREAT BERRIES IN THEM AND HOW MUCH TEXTURE AND THE CRUNCH THAT THEY HAVE.

AND EVERYONE THAT'S HAD THEM HAS JUST LOVED THEM.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE CORNMEAL BISCUITS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

THANK YOU, DONNA FOR THAT RECIPE.

YOU KNOW, PHIL CAN PUT YOU ON THE FISH, JOE.

HE REALLY CAN.

HE'S BEEN UP HERE A NUMBER OF YEARS FISHING, GUIDING THE LAKES UP HERE.

HE PREDOMINANTLY FISHES JORDAN LAKE AND HARRIS LAKE AND KNOWS THEM WELL.

HE CURRENTLY HOLDS THE LARGE FISH RECORD FOR JORDAN LAKE-- OVER 14 POUNDS THAT HE CAUGHT SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

HE SPENDS SOME TIME ON THE WATER.

HE KNOWS WHAT THE FISH DO AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR.

HE FISHES IT YEAR ROUND.

SO IF YOU WANT TO GO CATCH LARGE MOUTH BASS HERE IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA, GIVE HIM A CALL.

THAT'S JUST ANOTHER REASON TO FISH IN NORTH CAROLINA.

ABSOLUTELY.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

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

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

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

NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

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