[PIANO INTRO] - GO, GIRL.

I LOVE IT.

- [laughs] - OH, MY LORD.

YOU HAVE GOT THE HOT HAND.

I LOVE IT.

GET THIS-- AS SOON AS WE GO BACK SHALLOW AGAIN, BOOM.

- YEP.

- LOOK AT THAT.

PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

I SWEAR THESE THINGS ARE GORGEOUS.

I'M SO GLAD TO SEE THE STOCK NUMBERS COMING BACK FOR US.

THEY PUT A MORATORIUM ON 'EM, AND NOW THEY'RE ACTUALLY STARTING TO COME BACK.

IT'S SO NICE TO SEE.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: "WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA" MAGAZINE HAS BEEN DELIVERING STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY AND INFORMATIVE ARTICLES FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS.

- [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.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ ♪ ♪ - HELLO, WELCOME.

TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM IS GONNA TAKE US FOR STRIPERS IN DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON.

- LITERALLY WE'RE GONNA BE DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON.

CAPTAIN STU CAULDER, WHO'S FROM WILMINGTON, CALLED AND SAID HE HAD SOME STRIPERS IN DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON THAT WERE HUNGRY.

AND SO WE PUT TOGETHER A SHOW.

EARLY MORNING SETTING.

IT WAS A TIDE THAT HE WANTED TO FISH.

THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS PRETTY SHORT-LIVED.

WE CAUGHT SOME PRETTY CLASS OF FISH, NOT ANYTHING REALLY LARGE, BUT HE WANTED TO SHOW THAT YOU COULD CATCH THESE FISH RIGHT CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON.

AND WE HAD A GOOD LITTLE FAST-PACED MORNING.

- ANY SPECIAL GEAR, JOE?

- HE'LL SHARE THAT WITH US.

JUST THE LURES THAT WE USED TODAY, HE'LL GO OVER THEM.

SEVERAL DIFFERENT COLOR COMBINATIONS.

BUT THE FISH WERE, YOU KNOW, IN THAT POSITION THAT THEY WERE IN THAT MORNING-- THEY WERE FEEDING IT ON A TIDE, AND HE HAD FISHED A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE AND BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

SO HE'LL SHARE THAT WITH US.

- AND DONNA'S GOT A SHRIMP PASTA BAKE.

- YEAH, I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT YET.

SHE TELLS ME IT'S REALLY, REALLY TASTY.

AND IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT WAY OF SHOWCASING SHRIMP.

- WELL, LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO WILMINGTON TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- ALL RIGHT, WELL, KANDICE, THE FIRST THING WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA TARGET A FEW STRIPERS RIGHT HERE ALONG THAT RIP LINE ALONG THE BOAT HERE.

SO I'M JUST GONNA TIE ON A LITTLE BIT OF LEADER, PUT A LITTLE 17-POUND LEADER ON HERE.

AND WE'RE GONNA START OFF WITH X-RAPS, A LITTLE HARD BAITS, A LITTLE HARD JERKBAITS.

AND THIS SHOULD BANG 'EM PRETTY GOOD.

THEY'VE BEEN HITTING 'EM PRETTY HARD OVER BACK HERE RIGHT ON THAT SEAM.

SO YOU'RE GONNA KIND OF WOP, WOP, WOP.

HOLD IT STILL.

AND USUALLY WHILE YOU'RE HOLDING IT STILL, YOU'LL FEEL HIM COME IN AND POP IT.

AND WHEN THEY DO, JUST SET THE HOOK AND YOU'LL BE READY TO RUMBLE.

OKAY?

ALL RIGHT, KANDICE, WELL WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS, WE'VE GOT A HUMP RIGHT HERE.

THE CURRENT'S COMING ACROSS, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT RIP LINE RIGHT THERE.

SO WE'RE GONNA KIND OF TARGET THIS RIP LINE RIGHT WHERE THAT ROUGH WATER AND CALM WATER MEET.

THAT'S RIGHT OFF THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THAT DROP THERE.

AND WE'RE JUST WORKING THESE BAITS RIGHT DOWN THAT DROP RIGHT UP THE SIDE OF THAT DROP THERE.

- AND WHAT IS THAT?

IS THAT JUST, LIKE, A STRUCTURE ON THE BOTTOM?

- YEAH, THERE'S A BIG ROCK-- THERE'S A BIG ROCK AREA RIGHT HERE THAT COMES UP TO ABOUT 6 FEET.

THEN IT DROPS OFF TO ABOUT 25 RIGHT OVER HERE.

SO WE'RE JUST FISHING RIGHT OFF THE SIDE OF THAT SHELF RIGHT THERE.

AND USUALLY THEY'RE HANGING RIGHT HERE BETWEEN US AND THAT POINT, SOMEWHERE ALONG THIS SHELF RIGHT IN HERE.

- OKAY.

- THAT'S IT.

GET IT?

[reel clicking] GOOD JOB.

EXCELLENT.

DON'T WORRY, KANDICE.

- YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT IS A VERY SUBTLE BITE.

- WAS IT REAL SUBTLE?

- [laughs] YEAH.

- IT DIDN'T REALLY JUMP ON IT?

- NO.

- GOOD.

ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET THE NET JUST IN CASE.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD JOB.

THERE WE GO.

THAT'S HOW WE LIKE TO START THE MORNING.

LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE STRIPER ON THERE.

HOW'S HE FEEL WITH THAT LITTLE OUTFIT?

- FEEL GREAT.

- [laughs] - IT'S A GOOD FIGHT.

- ALL THAT CURRENT.

OH, YEAH.

NOW, HE WAS UP ON TOP OF THE POINT, WASN'T HE?

- YEAH.

- OKAY.

- HE WAS UP IN THE CALM.

- HE WAS UP IN THE SHALLOWS, THEN, HUH?

- THE SHALLOW CALM WATER.

- NICE.

OH, YEAH.

THERE HE GOES.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA DROP RIGHT DOWN HERE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- SLIDE THE NET UNDER HIM WHEN HE GETS CLOSE.

OH, YEAH.

TAKE UP ANOTHER CRANK ON IT.

THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

PRETTY LITTLE CAPE FEAR STRIPER.

[groans] GOT HIM.

ALL RIGHT.

WHAT DO WE GOT?

LOOK AT THAT.

RIGHT OUT OF THERE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- PRETTY LITTLE STRIPER.

- IT'S A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- THAT'S THE WAY TO START THE MORNING OFF, ISN'T IT?

- YEP.

- WAS THAT, LIKE, CAST NUMBER EIGHT?

- SOMEWHERE ABOUT THERE.

- HOW DID HE STRIKE THE BAIT?

- IT WAS JUST A REAL SUBTLE TAP.

IT WASN'T, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU WOULD THINK OF, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING ATTACKING IT.

IT WAS JUST NICE AND SUBTLE.

- NICE.

A NICE LITTLE CAPE FEAR RIVER STRIPER.

IT'S NICE TO SEE THEY'RE COMING BACK.

- YEAH.

- REGULATIONS ARE WORKING.

ALL RIGHT.

OOP.

THERE HE GOES.

- THERE HE GOES.

- HE'S READY TO GO.

- SO, STU, IS THIS, LIKE, A YEAR-ROUND FISHERY OR IS IT JUST SOMETHING YOU CAN DO HERE IN THE FALL FOR THESE STRIPERS?

- IT IS A YEAR-ROUND FISHERY.

DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, YOU'VE GOT TO COME REAL EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND THE STRIPER BITE ONLY LASTS TILL MAYBE 7:00 IN THE MORNING.

ONCE THE HEAT--SUN GETS UP AND THE HEAT GET UP, THEY TEND TO GO OUT THERE AND GET REAL DEEP.

YOU'RE NOT GONNA REALLY MESS WITH THEM THAT MUCH ONCE THEY DO THAT, BUT USUALLY ALL YEAR-- YOU CAN TARGET THESE STRIPERS ALL YEAR LONG.

THEY'RE HERE; THEY DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

AND YOU JUST GOT TO KIND OF CHANGE YOUR PATTERNS.

SUMMERTIME, GO SUPER, SUPER EARLY.

FISH FIRST LIGHT.

ONCE IT GETS UP, SWITCH OVER.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, FALL, WINTER, AND SPRING, YOU CAN COME OUT HERE AND BANG ON 'EM ALL DAY LONG.

- ALL DAY LONG.

WELL, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT FISHERY TO HAVE.

- LONG AS THAT CURRENT'S MOVIN', THAT'S ALL YOU NEED.

- [laughs] - THERE YOU GO.

I TELL YOU, THAT BLUE ONE'S BEEN THE HOT ONE.

THAT'S WHY I HANDED IT TO YOU.

- I THINK THIS IS A BIGGER FISH.

- THAT A GIRL.

I'M COMING WITH THE NET.

ALL RIGHT.

[reel creaking] GOOD JOB.

DID HE BANG IT PRETTY GOOD?

- YEAH.

[both laugh] - I HEARD YOU GO, "OH."

- [laughs] - OH, YEAH.

- YEAH, HE FEELS LIKE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER FISH, MAYBE.

- OH, YEAH.

HE MOVED OUT TO THE DEEP ON YOU, DIDN'T HE?

- YEAH, HE DID.

- HOPEFULLY HE'LL BE A LITTLE BIT SIZIER.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

IT'S GOOD ON THAT LIGHT ROD, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

- YEAH, IT IS.

HE, UH-- HE'S MADE A COUPLE MORE RUNS.

HE FEELS LIKE HE-- HE'S GOT A LITTLE MORE FIGHT IN HIM.

- NICE AND EASY.

OH, YEAH.

LITTLE GUY.

JUST HAD A LITTLE MORE HEART.

THERE WE GO.

NICE.

HE IS A LITTLE CHUNKIER.

- JUST A LITTLE BIGGER.

- YEAH, HE IS.

HE'S A LITTLE HEALTHIER.

WELL, IT IS A LITTLE BETTER THERE.

NICE LITTLE FISH.

NOTHIN' WRONG WITH THAT ONE.

- THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL.

THE LINES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL ON THESE FISH.

- A LITTLE PURPLE HUE TO HIM THERE.

- YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET HIM BACK IN.

HE SHOULD BE READY TO GO HERE.

OH, YEAH.

THERE HE GOES.

ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT JOB.

- THANKS!

- GOOD JOB.

ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET YOUR LURE OUT OF THERE.

KANDICE, HOW'D THAT LAST FISH-- DID THAT FISH HIT HARD OR DID HE JUST KIND OF COME UP ON IT REAL SOFT?

- THAT ONE WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT HIT.

HE CAME UP AND REALLY HIT IT HARD.

- COME THERE AND POPPED IT PRETTY GOOD?

- YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT.

- HE DID.

- GOOD.

MAYBE THEY'RE GETTING FIRED UP A LITTLE.

- MAYBE IT'S GONNA TURN INTO A RED-HOT BITE.

- OH, MAN, THAT'D BE NICE, WOULDN'T IT?

- [laughs] [light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - YOU'RE ALREADY BACK IN?

- ALL RIGHT.

- NICE.

YOU GOT THE KARMA WORKING.

I LOVE IT.

- [laughs] - GOOD JOB.

I'LL BRING YOU ALL THE TIME.

[reel clicking] THIS ONE DOESN'T WANT TO COME UP.

- YEAH, HE'S STAYING AT THE BOTTOM.

- OH, YEAH.

- THERE HE IS.

- PRETTY STRIPER.

[sniffs] - THIS ONE WASN'T AS SUBTLE OF A HIT.

- HE HIT A LITTLE HARDER?

- HE WAS HUNGRY.

- NICE.

- [laughs] - WELL, WE SAW THAT BAIT FLIP OVER THERE A MINUTE AGO.

AND SURE ENOUGH THAT'S WHERE HE WAS, SITTIN' RIGHT UP IN THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

LAY HIM RIGHT THERE FOR A SECOND.

HE'S A LITTLE HEALTHIER.

LOOK AT HIS GUT.

ALL RIGHT.

[sniffs] ANOTHER PRETTY LITTLE STRIPER THERE.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET HIM OUT OF THERE.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

- ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD JOB, KANDICE.

YOU WANT TO TOUCH THIS ONE?

YOU WANT TO RELEASE THIS ONE?

- NICE.

YEAH, I'LL RELEASE HIM.

- YEAH.

THERE YOU GO.

JUST WATCH THE THUMB RIGHT IN THERE.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TAKE THIS OUT OF YOUR WAY.

- OKAY.

- ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD JOB.

- THERE IT GOES.

- ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT WORK.

I LOVE IT.

DON'T EVEN GET A CHANCE TO THROW BEFORE YOU'RE BACK ON IT.

GOOD JOB.

GIVE ME ONE.

ALL RIGHT.

LET ME HAND YOU THIS.

YOU THROW RIGHT BACK IN THERE AGAIN.

LET'S SEE IF THERE'S MORE SITTIN' IN THERE.

GOOD WORK.

ALL RIGHT.

GRAB MINE.

THERE HE IS, KANDICE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- YOU LEFT ONE FOR ME.

[both laugh] - ALL RIGHTY, LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

[reel whishes] ALMOST.

MAN.

OH, LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT.

LITTLE STRIPER.

THERE IT GOES.

- THERE HE IS.

- HEY THERE, LITTLE GUY.

SLIDE OVER THIS WAY.

[reel whishes] OH, YEAH.

NOW, YOU GOT TO HOLD THAT BLACK PART.

YEAH, IT'LL COME RIGHT OUT.

- GOT IT.

- THERE YOU GO.

GOT IT?

YEP, HOLD THAT RIGHT THERE.

I'LL TRY TO GUIDE HIM RIGHT IN THERE IF I CAN.

COME ON, LITTLE FELLA.

THERE WE GO.

- THERE WE GOT HIM.

- NICE.

NOT ONLY CAN YOU CATCH, YOU CAN NET TOO.

- I CAN.

- GOOD JOB.

ALL RIGHT, LET ME GRAB THE PLIERS HERE AND SEE IF I CAN GET HIM OUT OF THERE.

ALL RIGHT, NOW I'M ALL TANGLED UP THERE.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

- NICE FISH.

- YOU LEFT ME ONE.

- YEAH.

- THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

[both laugh] - SO HOW BIG DO YOU THINK THESE FISH ARE?

- LET'S SEE, HE'S PROBABLY A COUPLE POUNDS.

LET'S SEE WHAT HE WEIGHS ON THIS THING.

HE'S RIGHT AT FOUR POUNDS.

- NICE.

- THAT LITTLE GUY RIGHT THERE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- PRETTY LITTLE THING.

- THEY ARE.

- MM.

ALL RIGHT, BIG MAN.

LET'S GET YOU BACK IN THERE.

[grunts] AH, YOU LOOK PRETTY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD JOB.

- THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, GO BACK IN THERE AND GET YOU ONE... - ALL RIGHT.

- WHILE I'M TRYING TO DIG THIS OUT OF THE NET.

LET'S SEE.

ANOTHER FISH HERE.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT.

HE'S FEELING FUNNY, THOUGH.

[reel whishing] LET'S SEE WHAT HE IS HERE.

IT'S A BLUEFISH.

- IT'S A BLUEFISH.

- CAN YOU BELIEVE A BLUEFISH WAY UP HERE?

- YOU REALLY CAN CATCH EVERYTHING UP HERE.

- YOU CAN.

- [laughs] - I THOUGHT HE FELT KIND OF FUNNY.

A LITTLE BLUEFISH MIXED UP IN HERE.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE HERE.

I'LL JUST GRAB AHOLD OF HIM.

I THOUGHT HE FELT KIND OF FUNNY.

KNOW WHAT THOUGH?

- HMM?

- HERE WE ARE IN, BASICALLY, DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON... - CATCHING BLUEFISH.

- CATCHING BLUEFISH.

GOT A LITTLE FELLA MIXED IN THERE WITH THEM STRIPERS.

- NICE.

- ALL RIGHT, LITTLE MAN.

GO BACK THERE AND GO GET BIG.

LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA.

ALL RIGHT.

[reel clicking] GO, GIRL.

I LOVE IT.

- [laughs] - OH, MY LORD.

YOU HAVE GOT THE HOT HAND.

I LOVE IT.

GET THIS-- AS SOON AS WE GO BACK SHALLOW AGAIN, BOOM.

- YEP.

- LOOK AT THAT.

PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

I SWEAR THESE THINGS ARE GORGEOUS.

I'M SO GLAD TO SEE THE STOCK NUMBERS COMING BACK FOR US.

THEY PUT A MORATORIUM ON 'EM, AND NOW THEY'RE ACTUALLY STARTING TO COME BACK.

IT'S SO NICE TO SEE.

NOW WE-- - GOD, HE'S PRETTY.

- HE IS.

WE GET THIS RIVER CLEANED UP, I BET YOU THEY'RE REALLY GONNA COME BACK.

OH, THAT'S A NICE ONE THERE.

OH, YEAH.

OH!

YEAH, LOOK AT THAT ONE.

A LITTLE BIT CHUNKIER.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA DO THE SAME THING.

PUT THAT BOGA IN HIS MOUTH JUST SO I CAN CONTROL HIM.

FINE, LET'S GET HIM OUT OF THERE.

STOP.

COME ON, BUDDY.

COME ON BUDDY.

HOLD ON.

HOLD ON.

RELAX.

I'M GONNA GET YOU OFF OF THERE AND GET YOU BACK IN.

[soft clinking] WE'RE THE GOOD GUYS.

- WHOO.

- THERE WE GO.

LOOK AT THAT ONE.

[both laugh] - GOOD WORK.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

WHY DON'T YOU RELEASE THAT ONE.

YOU KNOW HOW TO WORK THAT: JUST PULL THAT UP, AND THAT'LL OPEN THAT.

- PULL THAT UP.

GOT IT.

- AND I'LL GET THIS OUT OF YOUR WAY AND BE GETTING THIS OUT OF HERE.

EXCELLENT JOB, KANDICE.

- ALL RIGHT.

OOH, YOU ARE READY TO GO, HUH?

THERE HE GOES.

- OH, YEAH.

NICE.

EXCELLENT.

- ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

- GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.

- PUT THIS HERE?

- YEP, DROP IT RIGHT IN THERE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- JOE, THAT WAS QUICK BITE.

- IT REALLY WAS.

AND, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY THAT FISHES THE COAST KNOWS THAT MOST OF YOUR FISHING SUCCESS IS BASED ON THE TIDAL MOVEMENT NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU SHOW UP, YOU MAY HAVE A LONG EXPERIENCE, OR YOU MAY HAVE A SHORT ONE.

THIS ONE-- THAT PARTICULAR MORNING-- WAS SHORTER THAN STU HAD ANTICIPATED.

HE WAS HOPING FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE, ACTUALLY.

AND WE--OUR THEORY WAS THAT THEY WERE FEEDING BEFORE WE GOT THERE, ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, BEFORE IT WAS LIGHT ENOUGH TO FILM AND TO SEE, AND SO-- BUT WE MADE THE BEST OF IT.

WE, YOU KNOW, WHILE WE WERE THERE, WE CAUGHT SOME FISH AND JUST HAD A LOT OF FUN.

- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TACKLE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - WELL, STU, WE HAD A GREAT MORNING.

IT STARTED OFF A LITTLE CHILLY, EARLY, AND THEN IT WARMED UP A BIT.

AND THE BITE WAS GREAT WHEN WE FIRST GOT OUT HERE, AND IT KIND OF TAPERED OFF AS THE MORNING WENT ON.

WHAT HAPPENED?

- WELL, WE HAD A TIDE CHANGE.

THIS MORNING, FOR THE SPOT WE WERE AT, THE WATER WAS MOVING ACROSS IT IN JUST THE RIGHT SCENARIO.

AND THE FISH WERE LAYIN' WHERE THEY WANTED TO BE.

IT WAS--THEY WERE REAL HAPPY.

EVERYTHING WAS GOING JUST AS THEY WANTED, AND THEY WERE EATING.

YOU KNOW, WE PULLED UP, AND YOU CAUGHT FOUR RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

AND THEN YOU LET ME HAVE ONE, WHICH I REALLY APPRECIATE.

- YOU'RE WELCOME.

- AND IT JUST--THE BITE JUST HAPPENED THIS MORNING.

BOOM, WE GOT THERE.

WE CAUGHT 'EM.

AND IT JUST SLOWED DOWN ONCE THAT TIDE STOPPED, 'CAUSE THEY'RE VERY TIDE-ORIENTED.

AND WE WERE THROWING, YOU KNOW, X-RAPS.

I THREW A WHITE ONE.

AND YOU WERE THROWING MORE OF A NATURAL BAIT, A BLUEBACK.

AND ANOTHER ONE THAT SEEMS TO WORK UP HERE IS ALSO THIS COLOR-- THIS BLUEBACK WITH THE CHARTREUSE ON IT ALSO.

ALL THREE OF THESE SEEM TO BE REALLY GOOD BAITS FOR THESE PARTICULAR FISH.

AND I WAS THROWIN' MINE ON A MEDIUM LIGHT 7-FOOT ROD WITH A 2,000-SIZE REEL.

AND I WAS USING A 15-POUND BRAID WITH A 17-POUND FLUOROCARBON LEADER.

AND YOU WERE USING A SIMILAR OUTFIT TO WHAT I WAS USING.

WHAT WERE YOU USING ON YOUR SIDE?

- I WAS USING A 6'6" MEDIUM ROD WITH A 2,500 REED AND 10-POUND MONO ON THE REEL.

- NICE.

THAT SOUNDS REAL GOOD.

AND THESE OUTFITS WORK REALLY WELL.

THEY'RE SMALL ENOUGH THAT YOU REALLY GOT TO PLAY THE FISH, BUT YOU'VE GOT ENOUGH BACKBONE TO MOVE THE FISH IF YOU GOT TO.

AND SOMETIMES YOU NEEDED TO MOVE 'EM, BECAUSE THEY GET IN THAT CURRENT, AND THEY CAN REALLY PULL.

ANOTHER GOOD TOOL THAT HELPED US, ONCE WE GOT 'EM IN THE NET, WAS THE BOGA-GRIP.

THESE FISH ARE REAL MUSCULAR.

THEY'RE KIND OF HARD TO HOLD.

IF YOU CAN GET THAT THING IN THEIR MOUTH, THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CONTROL THEM IN THE NET AND GET THEM OUT AND GET THEM BACK IN THE WATER NICE AND SAFE, SO WE CAN, YOU KNOW, KEEP EVERYTHING UP, KEEP THE STOCKS UP REAL GOOD, KEEP THE FISH NICE AND HEALTHY.

SO HOPEFULLY WE DON'T HURT 'EM, 'CAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HURT 'EM TOO BAD.

BECAUSE THERE IS A MORATORIUM ON THE CAPE FEAR.

AND WE WANT TO RELEASE 'EM ALL NICE AND HEALTHY SO THAT THEY CAN HOPEFULLY SPAWN AND COME BACK AND MAKE A WHOLE BUNCH OF STRIPERS AND WILL FILL THIS RIVER BACK UP WITH 'EM AGAIN.

- VERY GOOD.

YEAH, IT WAS NICE TO HAVE THE BOGA TO RELEASE 'EM.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS WET EITHER WHEN IT WAS NICE AND CHILLY THIS MORNING.

- YEAH, YOU NEEDED THAT 'CAUSE OF ALL THE FISH YOU CAUGHT.

I HAD--SOMEBODY HAD TO GET YOUR FISH OFF AND RELEASE 'EM FOR YOU.

YOU HAD THE HOT HAND THIS MORNING.

BUT THAT WAS A GOOD BITE, AND I WAS GLAD WE GOT TO GO.

IT WAS A PRETTY MORNING OUT THERE.

WE GOT TO GET A FEW FISH AND LET IT RIDE LIKE THAT.

- ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

- I HAD A GREAT TIME.

I'LL FISH WITH YOU.

- I APPRECIATE IT.

- ANY TIME, JUST LET ME KNOW.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- THANKS FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

NOW, IF YOU WANT TO GO DOWN TO WILMINGTON TO FISH, HERE'S STU'S NUMBER.

GIVE HIM A CALL.

I THINK YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TRIP.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY FOR SHRIMP AND PASTA, AND IT'S BAKED.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING A SHRIMP AND PASTA BAKE.

THIS IS A RECIPE THAT YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER, PUT IT IN YOUR FREEZER, PULL IT OUT, AND HEAT IT UP.

AND IF YOU WANT TO GIVE IT TO A FRIEND, OR IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR FREEZER SO THAT IF YOU HAVE COMPANY, OR YOU NEED A QUICK MEAL, IT'S RIGHT THERE FOR YOU.

SO WHAT--WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

AND WE ARE USING ABOUT 8 OUNCES OF ROTINI PASTA THAT WE'VE COOKED AND COOLED, AND IT'S IN OUR BAKING DISH.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ROTINI PASTA, YOU CAN USE PRETTY MUCH ANY KIND OF PASTA YOU WANT.

IF YOU WANT TO USE EGG NOODLES, YOU CAN.

OR BOWTIE, ANYTHING, OR A MIX IF YOU WANT.

SO THAT'S IN OUR PAN.

THEN WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND MAKE OUR MIXTURE.

WE'RE GONNA USE ABOUT A CUP OF MILK.

WE'RE GOING TO ADD ONE JAR OF HONEY MUSTARD... TO THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO PUT IN SOME GREEN ONIONS THAT WE HAVE CHOPPED.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN SOME PIMENTOS.

THIS WILL ADD SOME COLOR.

AND MIX THAT TOGETHER.

THEN WE HAVE SOME DICED HAM THAT-- OR JUST SOME HAM THAT I HAD LEFT OVER, AND I JUST DICED IT UP TO PUT IN HERE.

YOU COULD ALSO PUT BACON IN HERE, WHICH WOULD BE REALLY GOOD TOO.

SO IT'S A KIND OF VERSATILE RECIPE.

YOU CAN KIND OF PUT IN WHAT YOU HAVE AND KIND OF CHANGE UP THE FLAVORS AND THE TASTES IF YOU'D LIKE.

WE'RE GOING TO ADD SOME SHREDDED SWISS CHEESE, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE SWISS CHEESE, OR YOUR FAMILY DOES LIKE THAT, CHEDDAR CHEESE WORKS JUST AS WELL.

SO MIX THAT TOGETHER.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD OUR SHRIMP.

AND I'VE USED JUST SOME SMALL SHRIMP.

AND ABOUT A POUND AND A HALF OF PEELED AND DEVEINED SHRIMP.

ARE GONNA GO IN THIS.

BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE SHRIMP, OR YOU DON'T HAVE QUITE ENOUGH, YOU CAN ADD IN-- YOU COULD USE SOME LEFTOVER FISH THAT YOU HAVE, OR YOU COULD USE SOME SCALLOPS, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT TOO.

SO KIND OF, LIKE I SAID, IT'S KIND OF A BASE RECIPE, BUT THEN YOU CAN ADD IN WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOUR FAMILY LIKES.

SO ONCE THIS IS ALL MIXED TOGETHER, WE'RE GOING TO POUR IT OVER OUR NOODLES.

AND THEN THIS IS GONNA BAKE AT 350 FOR ABOUT 20 TO 25 MINUTES.

BUT BEFORE WE PUT IT IN THE OVEN, WE'RE GONNA MAKE THIS GREAT CRUNCHY TOPPING FOR IT.

SO WE'RE GONNA SPREAD THAT OUT.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A TOPPING.

WE'RE GOING TO USE 2 TABLESPOONS OF BUTTER THAT IS MELTED.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA USE 1/2 CUP OF CHICKEN BAKE.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THE CHICKEN BAKE IS PRETTY VERSATILE.

YOU CAN USE IT FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

YOU CAN USE IT FOR A TOPPING.

YOU CAN USE IT TO COAT YOUR CHICKEN OR YOUR FISH.

SO ONCE THAT'S MIXED TOGETHER, THEN WE'RE JUST GOING TO SPRINKLE THAT ON THE TOP.

AND IT'LL ADD SOME NICE CRUNCH.

AND AT THIS POINT, IF YOU ARE GOING TO FREEZE IT, I WOULD GO AHEAD AND PUT IT IN THE FREEZER AT THIS POINT.

I WOULDN'T BAKE IT.

'CAUSE ONCE YOU BAKE YOUR SHRIMP AND BAKE IT AGAIN, IT'S GONNA BE-- THEY'RE GONNA BE TOUGH, AND YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

GO TO ALL THIS WORK, YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE YOUR SHRIMP ALL TOUGH.

SO IF YOU ARE GONNA FREEZE IT, GO AHEAD AND PUT YOUR FOIL ON THE TOP.

PUT IT IN YOUR FREEZER.

AND THEN TO REHEAT IT, JUST BRING IT OUT, LET IT THAW, AND THEN BAKE IT AS USUAL.

SO THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

YOU CAN USE IT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONTAINERS TOO.

LIKE I HAVE THIS GREAT PAN THAT I REALLY LIKE--CROCKS.

SO I JUST PUT MINE IN HERE.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE NICE CRUNCHY TOPPING.

AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE PASTA AND ALL THE YUMMIES IN THERE.

IT'S A GREAT WARM DISH.

SERVE IT WITH A SIDE SALAD.

AND YOU'RE READY TO GO.

SO I HOPED YOU ENJOY THE SHRIMP AND PASTA BAKE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA, FOR THAT RECIPE.

NOW BACK TO DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON FISHING.

- YEAH, AND IT-- THAT'S WHERE WE WERE, RIGHT DOWNTOWN.

AND IT WAS A FAST-PACED-- ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WAS ABOUT WHAT WE HAD, MAYBE LESS THAN THAT.

BUT ENOUGH TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, EVEN ON A SHORT TIDE SITUATION LIKE WE HAD, YOU CAN CATCH FISH.

AND WE HAD A LOT OF FUN.

- ONLY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

- RIGHT.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANK YOU 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 HAS BEEN DELIVERING STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY AND INFORMATIVE ARTICLES FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS.

- [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.

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