[gentle orchestral fanfare] They're calling me the all natural bait fisherman 'cause I fish with natural bait all the time.

Sorry about that.

You did that on purpose.

I did not.

I mean, I can't guide a fish's tail.

He's been jumping all over the place.

Watch your persimmon.

He might be after that one too.

This is the craziest thing you've ever had me do, Cliff.

Craziest thing I've ever seen, myself.

People wouldn't believe it.

There we go.

It has your red hook.

Let me get this out.

Has a hook.

Nice channel.

Let's see what we can get for weight here.

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

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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.

[light instrumental music] ♪ Hello.

Welcome to the Carolina Outdoor Journal.

Well, today's program is gonna take us on a fishing trip for catfish as we catch up with our buddy Cliff Edwards.

And Joe, a different kind of catfishing today.

It really is.

He gave me a call one night and said, I've got some catfish that are feeding on persimmons.

And he said, "Have you ever heard about it?

Heard about catching them on persimmons?"

I said, "No."

I said, "That is different."

He said, "Well, let's try it."

So I showed up, and he has this pond outside of Louisburg that has a persimmon tree right on the edge of it.

And every time a persimmon falls out of the tree, the catfish go bananas.

They like 'em.

Is this something we're gonna elaborate on in Gear Time?

(Joe) Well, they're gonna talk about, you just don't use any persimmons.

So they'll talk about that in Gear Time today, so pay close attention.

And, of course, Donna's got a special recipe today all about cornmeal.

We'll catch up with her in the kitchen.

(Joe) It is special.

And just tune in to that.

All right, we got a lot going on.

Persimmon catfish.

Don't move.

We got more coming your way here on the Carolina Outdoor Journal.

All right, Cliff, you dragged me out here.

You know, I was at church.

And, uh, you gave me a call, said we were gonna catch some catfish.

But you said that I wouldn't believe how we're gonna catch 'em.

Now, what exactly are you talking about?

That's right, I wanted to bring somebody over here that could back up what I was seeing and to prove what I had done and had seen myself with my own two eyes.

But I wanted somebody else to come with me... To prove that you're not crazy.

That's right, to prove to 'em that I'm not crazy for once and all.

This is a persimmon tree.

And it puts out a fruit in fall.

And you can see some of them still on the trees.

When they get ripe, they turn orange and they obviously fall.

Okay.

This one's right on the bank of a pond, and two thirds of it hangs over the water.

I was here about two weeks ago, and I was standing here and I saw a bunch of big cats moving under it.

And I couldn't figure out why.

So I stopped and looked and fortunate for me, one fell and hit me on the shoulder, rolled into the water, and the cat ate it.

So I immediately picked up one or two of 'em and threw 'em out there and they were eating them.

So we're gonna see if we can catch 'em with a persimmon.

So we're gonna catch catfish with persimmons?

Persimmons, yeah.

A fruit.

Just like I'm holding in my hand.

Okay.

I've talked to a lot of guys.

A lot of biologists that are friends of mine that I worked with for years.

And nobody's ever heard of this.

I've seen some strange things.

Some big catfish.

Just swarming around right here.

Oh yeah, they're monsters in here.

There's all sizes.

(Paul) So we're gonna put hooks in the persimmons.

(Cliff) That's right.

Throw the persimmon over to 'em.

And have at it.

(Paul) Okay, let's see what we can do.

Hey, Cliff, I just had a thought.

I bet...

I bet... Whoa!

I didn't know catfish jumped.

Well, I didn't know they'd eat persimmons either.

Yeah, exactly.

I was wondering if they... Well, I bet you they taste pretty good if they've been eating persimmons all day.

[laughing] Take it easy, now.

How big are these things?

They're fairly nice, I can tell you that.

We'll just have to see.

I'll get the Boca grip ready for you when you...

I don't think he's...

He's not done yet, is he?

No, he's not done.

Short strokin' the catfish in two foot of water.

Catching 'em on a... [laughing] On a persimmon.

Ooh, yeah.

I think he's about ready.

They're calling me the all natural bait fisherman, because I fish with natural bait all the time.

Sorry about that.

You did that on purpose.

I did not--I mean, I can't guide a fish's tail.

He's been jumping all over the place.

Oh, watch your persimmon.

He might be after that one too.

[laughing] This is the craziest thing you've ever had me do, Cliff.

Craziest thing I've ever seen, myself.

People wouldn't believe it.

There we go.

It has your red hook.

Let me get this out.

There's the hook.

Nice channel.

Let's see what we get for weight here.

All right, six pounds.

Six-pound catfish on a persimmon.

On a persimmon.

Never thought I'd see it.

Stomach full of 'em.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Oh, man.

You still got 'em?

Man, I tell you what, I saw that wake out here... Man, he's going south for the winter.

All right, okay.

I see how it is.

All right.

You got him?

I got him.

Okay.

He likes that nice orange just about ripe persimmon.

I think yours is a little bit green.

So that's what's going on.

All right.

So you gonna like give seminars and stuff?

Yeah, I'm gonna start my...

I'm gonna have me a line of clothes.

Some hats.

Rods, reels.

Nice orange tone to everything.

Yep, I've got a feeling that persimmon really attracts-- we might put 'em on our bass baits.

He's under this boat, man.

And I cannot get him out.

You supposed to be able to control your fish a little bit better.

Yeah.

[laughing] I mean, we're on a small boat anyway.

And then to have you sitting there.

Jeez, that's a nice fish.

Lord.

Now, he's--I'm sorry, did I have my line in your way?

Oh.

This is a nice fish.

Look at this fish too.

I'm trying to look at him, but I'm so busy trying to stay out of your way, you know?

All right.

Good.

Is he ready?

He's ready to do whatever he wants to do.

Yeah, I think he's... You got another half hour with him.

I thought he was gonna take it away from me a minute ago.

I'm going to throw... a big...

Damn, my arm's getting... Could you hold this a minute?

[laughing] There we go.

Getting mad.

He's getting angry?

Oh, man.

You okay?

Ooh.

Hooray.

Man!

All right, hold still.

That one's 5.992, right?

That one--here, I'll measure it for you.

This one is... Yeah, this one's a pound and a half.

You believe that?

It's only a pound and a half.

That's 5.98.

I know what it is.

[laughing] No, these are all running 7 or 8 pounds.

Yep, they're pretty.

Pretty fish, good.

I bet they do have a good flavor to 'em, 'cause they come in that spring fed water.

You know, nice sized pond.

About six acres.

Yeah.

Persimmon catfish pond.

Basically, what you're telling me is that there's a possibility that I might not be patient enough for this type of fishing?

Yep.

You gotta be thrashing in the water all the time.

I might be putting up too... What is that?

Is that him?

He came up, because he thought it was persimmon.

How about that?

I mean, that should be perfect for 'em, shouldn't it?

You got one?

You don't have one, do you?

He ran with it pretty good.

See, they're gonna taste this, and they're gonna go, that's too hard.

Finesse fishing here.

Finesse, that's right.

Man, he hit it twice.

I don't know if he just got it off... Maybe yours was too soft.

A ten pound bait snatcher.

You know what I mean?

Gets my bait.

Maybe yours was too soft.

And mine's too hard.

See, I got too much green on this one.

I don't know if there's one on this one left at the end.

I think it does have something to do with patience.

I think to be a really good..

He got it.

Did he?

He robbed you?

He robbed me.

You got him?

He got me again.

There you go.

You're the king.

You know, I've caught three and you've caught two, but who's counting?

You.

But you know what?

It's not caught till it's in the boat.

Uh-oh, that means he's gonna be knocking this fish off y'all.

Yeah, why don't you swing it over, so I can leader it?

He kind of went the other way.

He's gonna show his face, though, isn't he?

He's gone.

Why don't you tighten up the drag a little bit?

[laughing] Thank you, man.

Give me some more fishing tips.

How to outfish your buddy.

Yeah.

Oh, man.

Ooh!

That's nice.

Yep, that's an nice one.

Very, very nice.

Whoa!

It's funny, isn't it?

It doesn't really matter what kind of fish you're catching, but when they're pulling drag like that, just makes you feel like you're doing something pretty cool.

I think I've got to...

I'm gonna go ahead and get mine in.

I think my persimmon's got a worm in it.

This thing is... Tell you what, I'll leave mine right here on the boat.

You okay?

Man, I tell you what, it's frayed.

Feel that line right there.

I ought to take it... We don't have a boat paddle in here, do we?

Oh, I missed.

I keep missing.

Oh, I think I got him.

I mean, I think I got him!

Great.

Did he splash you?

Oh, look!

You got polka dots.

All right, let me get the hook out.

We're gonna get the hook out.

We're gonna try.

Man, pretty!

Look at that.

I set it down and there, it's gone.

Look at that.

Are you kidding me?

I'm that bad.

I'm that bad.

And then he stopped as soon as I... Oh, he's still... See, he doesn't know now.

He swallowed it.

Okay, so I should... Can I hit him now?

I think you'll be able to just nail him if you tightened it all the way up.

Go ahead and get your line and just nail him.

Caught him!

I got one!

I got one!

You know, I can't believe you set that down and he hit it the minute you set it down.

That's the thing, see?

Voodoo fishing.

It's not voodoo, it's... Good karma?

Alton Dillard fishing.

That's the guy's name.

And you got a fish right here swimming right at you right now.

We're gonna get number five then.

I'm getting close.

You never know what can happen.

You never know what can happen.

Oh boy, here we go.

Now, look at you.

You let him around the anchor rope now.

I didn't let him do anything.

What I did do was I...

It's because of what you were doing.

Oh, sure.

Put it on me.

Yep, it was because of you.

See this?

You thought he was ready to come in.

I should have bowed to him right there.

I'm guiding him.

You are, huh?

I'm guiding him.

I bet he's guiding you.

Well, he's not sure what he wants to do yet.

I'm just leading him where I think he ought to go.

How about that?

Yep.

Come on over here.

Over here.

[whistling] No!

[laughing] I thought you said he was tired, man.

Okay, now I'm wrapped up in the trawler motor.

No, I'm fine, I'm fine.

I'm sorry.

I'm causing trouble, aren't I?

You can fish.

You think you're causing the trouble?

[whistling] That's a nice cat.

Yay, Paul!

[applauding] Wonderful.

I don't know.

That one looks big.

And the whole key was... Ooh.

Oh, man, he is.... What'd you say?

He's a pretty good size.

What do you say, he's like...

I know he's got a bunch of 'em in him.

Well, Joe, I'm sure we got some people scratching their heads right now.

Persimmon catfishing.

Yep, that's right.

And they do work.

And while we were there we had a number of persimmons fall out of the tree, and the catfish would just come to 'em.

I mean, they're programmed to know that time of year when they start dropping out of the trees that that's a-- that's a free meal.

And I didn't ask Cliff if he's tried to cook any of them to see how they tasted, but, uh, something different.

And we always are looking for something different.

Well, speaking of something different, let's go to Gear Time, because I'm sure Cliff is gonna give us some valuable information.

Well, Paul, I told you today was gonna be probably one of the most unusual days you ever spent fishing.

And definitely the most unusual bait that you've ever used.

Those persimmons really today... the cats love 'em.

And we caught 7 or 8 to prove it.

And it was a wonderful day of fishing.

And great fish.

So, uh...you know, it was just one of those days that you remember for a long time.

No question.

I mean, it's not every day you get to go catch catfish and wait for your bait to fall from the tree.

That's right, don't even pick it from the tree.

And, you know, we used the rods.

I used a 6-6 rod with a circle hook with a six pound test.

And it worked perfectly, because they gave you a good fight.

And they could pull the drag like you needed to.

And there weren't a lot of stumps or anything.

So it really didn't lose any from any hang-ups.

So the rod combination and the reel was fine.

You showed a little bit about... Let's look at the bait a little bit.

Basically, I think it's like the three bears, right?

We got one bed that's a little too hard.

You call that a brickbat...

Yes.

Persimmon.

I didn't know what that was.

It's a hard--too hard one.

Then we got the ushy-gushy one that wouldn't stay on the hook.

You know, they eat it, but it's not conducive to good catfish persimmon fishing.

Not a good cast.

Right.

And this is the perfect one, right?

Yep, that's absolutely perfect.

'Cause it'll hold on the hook.

They love to eat 'em.

It's just like the ones that are falling off the tree.

So you're simulating, you know...

Nature's way.

That's right.

That's for good quality finesse.

Catfish persimmon fishing.

Yep, absolutely.

Well, I really enjoyed it today.

I had a good time.

I'm glad you could come again.

Thanks again.

Good day.

Thanks a lot, Cliff.

Joe, I gotta ask you this.

What about the ripeness of that persimmon?

Well, it's like they were just telling us...

If you were not paying attention, you may have missed it, but they have to be a certain ripeness.

If they're too ripe... they won't stay on the hook.

So if you learn anything today, just remember if you find this situation by a pond, it's just not any persimmon that you find on the ground or off the tree.

It's got to be just the right ripeness to make it work.

And then you can catch 'em.

All right.

This is too much information for me.

Let's go to something I can catch on pretty quick.

Like this recipe with Donna in the kitchen.

Hi, today in the kitchen we're going to be making creamy polenta.

And this is a great recipe.

And it's very versatile, which I like.

You can take this one basic recipe and do a lot of different things with it.

You can serve it as the creamy polenta like we're gonna be doing today.

You can also put it in a pan and let it kind of congeal a little bit.

And make it into tubes and slice it and make appetizers with it.

Or you can--I saw someone who took it, crumbled it up into different pieces and fried it and made a salad.

So there's lots of different things you can do with it.

It's become very, very popular.

You'll see it in a lot of expensive restaurants.

You'll also see some cooks on television doing it.

I saw somebody the other day cooking it on TV, so it's really great.

So I think you'd really wow your guests.

So what we're gonna do is we're gonna bring our water to a boil.

And then we're going to add our cornmeal to it, and that's pretty much all you do.

You stir it until it is completely... mixed together.

And then you just let it cook on medium high until it has finished cooking.

So we're gonna get our water boiling.

And while our water's getting ready to boil, I've started a stir-fry over here, 'cause it doesn't take very long to cook your polenta.

So it's one of those you can get it started, go do your other thing and then come back and finish it up.

So what I've done here is I've just sautéed some shrimp and some broccoli and some carrots and some red peppers.

We've just kind of made a stir-fry with this.

Our water's getting ready to boil.

So what we're gonna do, is we're just going to add in our cornmeal into our pot.

And like I said, you're just gonna stir this.

And it will be a little bit lumpy.

But that's okay, the lumps will stir out.

So we're gonna stir this up and once all the lumps are out, then you're just gonna turn your heat down to medium high heat.

And give it a stir every now and again.

And be careful, 'cause it will start to bubble.

And it'll pop on you.

I got burned the other day.

So be careful with it.

Just keep giving it a stir until it's all... the lumps are gone.

And then just turn down your heat and give it a stir every once in a while.

So we're gonna go ahead and show you what it looks like when it's already done.

Whoops, wrong way.

There we go.

Okay, I'm just gonna move this over here.

And this is what it looks like once it has cooked.

You can see it's gotten a little firm.

So this is something if you want it to be firm you might wanna add just a little bit more corn meal or leave out a little bit of water.

Or if you want it to be a little thinner, then just add a little bit more water.

What we're gonna do to this, we're gonna add in, um, a little bit of butter to this.

And we're also gonna add in some parmesan cheese.

And if you like other types of cheese, you can add that in.

If you don't wanna add cheese, you don't have to.

You can add in other seasonings.

You can add salt and pepper, or you can add in some basil, or any kind of spices you want.

It'll take on the flavors.

So we're just gonna give that a stir until our butter is melted.

Then we're going to bring in our plate, our bowl.

And I'm just using a soup bowl.

And you just put it on the bottom.

Just kind of like you would grits or your pasta or your rice or your mashed potatoes.

And we're going to top it with our stir fry.

And if you're in a hurry, what you can do is just buy some stir fry vegetables, add your own shrimp and your polenta.

Make your polenta and you're ready to go.

Just top it with a little bit of this.

And you have a great dinner.

It's quick, it's easy.

And it's very cutting edge.

So I hope you enjoy the creamy polenta.

And I look forward to seeing you next time here on Simple Cooking.

Thanks, Donna, for that recipe.

Joe, you know, here on the Carolina Outdoor Journal we always are looking for something different.

And this one was different today.

This was different.

And these were, by the way, channel catfish.

And they're good to eat too.

So we released everything today, but something different.

You don't hear about it every day.

And I asked quite a few people after we taped it if they'd ever heard of it before.

And nobody could remember hearing anything like this.

And this is probably kind of unique having a persimmon tree that close to a pond.

But if you-- across North Carolina, if you live in an area that has that combination, give it a try.

Or pay attention to the edge of the pond.

Because if it's got catfish in it, they may be partaking on your persimmons.

Maybe we'll get some mail on this one.

Maybe so.

Okay.

For Joe Albee, I'm John Moore.

Thanks 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.

[light instrumental music] ♪