[GENTLE ORCHESTRAL FANFARE] - [laughs] THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT THERE, BOY.

- GOOD NIGHT!

HOLD ON, NOW.

COME ON.

WE GOT LIGHTNING STRIKING AROUND US.

- OOH, GET OVER THAT PILIN'.

- OH, HEY.

- STAY OFF THAT PILIN'.

- UH, UH, UH, UH, UH.

- [laughs] - SON, GET READY RIGHT HERE.

- I THINK YOU GOT ME WHUPPED, BOY.

- GET HIM RIGHT THERE.

[grunting] - [laughs] - WHOO!

[both laugh] - COME HERE.

WELL--I'M GONNA-- - GOOD NIGHT, I RECKON.

- I'M GIVING THAT ONE A KISS.

TELL YOU WHAT, WAYNE, THIS IS HOW I'D HOPED IT WOULD COME DOWN.

- I KNEW IT WAS GONNA HAPPEN.

- I HAVEN'T HAD A BITE ALL DAY.

LOOK AT HIS TAIL WHERE HE BEEN RUBBIN' THE PILINGS WITH IT.

- I KNOW IT.

I KNOW IT.

- HE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

- THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME.

I'M GONNA LET HIM GO.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

PRETTY SHEEPSHEAD THERE, BUBBA.

- YES, SIR.

LOOK AT THEM FINS.

THAT'S WHY HE PULLED SO HARD.

- HE'S GONNA... - [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] ♪ - HELLO, WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM IS GONNA TAKE US DOWN TO THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.

JOE, WE GONNA BE FISHIN' FOR SOME SHEEPHEAD.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS ONE OF-- I CONSIDER IT ONE OF OUR UNIQUE FISH ON THE COAST, BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, THEY'RE REAL HARD TO CATCH.

THERE'S REALLY A TECHNIQUE OF DOING IT.

SOME SAY YOU ALMOST HAVE TO SET THE HOOK BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY FEEL THE BITE, WHICH SOUNDS KIND OF WEIRD, BUT THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY IT IS.

THEY'RE JUST KIND OF HARD TO CATCH, BUT THEY LOVE BRIDGE PILINGS, PIER PILINGS.

THEY EAT BARNACLES.

THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THEIR TOP FOOD SOURCES THAT THEY GO FOR.

BUT WE'RE GONNA FISH TODAY WITH TWO BOAT CAPTAINS, ACTUALLY, AND--WHO HAVE KIND OF REFINED THE ART OF CATCHING 'EM, AND SO THEY GONNA SHOW US HOW TO DO IT.

- WHAT ABOUT THE BAIT AND TACKLE WE'LL NEED FOR THIS?

- AH, PRETTY STOUT TACKLE.

THEY'RE PRETTY STRONG FISH, EVEN WHEN THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, 2- OR 3-POUNDERS.

BUT THEY'RE STRONG FISH.

USING LIVE BAIT TODAY: BARNACLES, FIDDLER CRABS.

LIVE BAIT IS WHAT YOU USE FOR 'EM.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S THE TECHNIQUE THAT THEY'RE GONNA SHOW US-- HOW TO CATCH 'EM.

- AND DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY FOR A SOUTHPORT SANDWICH.

- IT'S ONE OF THESE RECIPES SHE'S PUT TOGETHER AND COINED IT WITH A VERY RECOGNIZABLE NAME: SOUTHPORT, DOWN THE SOUTHERN CORNER OF OUR STATE.

BUT A VERY TASTY RECIPE FROM HER TODAY.

- WELL, WE GOT A LOT GOING ON, SO LET'S GO TO WORK TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- ALL RIGHT, WAYNE.

HERE AT THE END OF MAY, SHEEPSHEAD SHOULD BE HERE.

I'M READY TO GO FIND OUT.

- ME TOO, BUDDY.

ME TOO.

- AH, WE GOT THE FIDDLER CRABS, THE ONE-ARMED BANDITS.

AS WE BOTH KNOW, THEY CAN BE HARD TO CATCH.

- YES, SIR.

- SET THE HOOK BEFORE THEY BITE.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

- THAT'S WHAT THEY TELL US.

- IF YOU FEEL THE BITE, JUST SET THE HOOK.

- YEP.

ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 8 POUNDS, WHAT I'M LOOKIN' TODAY.

- I'M HOPING.

IT'D BE NICE TO CATCH A 7-, 8-POUNDER, WOULDN'T IT?

- OH, LORD, YEAH.

WE GOT A 20-POUND BRAID.

SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD 'EM AROUND THE BRIDGE HERE.

WE'RE JUST NOW GETTIN' HERE.

TIDE'S PERFECT.

LIGHT AND VARIABLE WIND.

JUST DON'T HAVE ANY EXCUSES.

- BEAUTIFUL DAY.

WE'RE GONNA CHUM 'EM UP, SEE IF WE CAN GET 'EM EXCITED.

SET THE HOOK.

- SCRAPE THE BARNACLES AROUND THE PILINGS A LITTLE BIT AND GET 'EM FEEDIN', AND THEY SHOULD BE READY TO GO, BUDDY.

WATER TEMPERATURE'S IN THE 70s.

- PERFECT.

- PERFECT.

LET'S GO GET IT DONE.

- LET'S DO IT, MAN.

- ALL RIGHT.

- LET'S DO IT.

ALL RIGHT, RICKY, WE'RE PULLING UP ON THIS CONCRETE WALL HERE.

WE GOT ALL THESE BARNACLES, PILINGS, WOOD, METAL.

YOU NAME IT, WE GOT IT HERE, AND THAT'S EVERYTHING A SHEEPHEAD LOVES.

- YES, LORD.

- WE GOT A BASIC CAROLINA RIG.

- YEP.

- 1-OUNCE EGG WEIGHT, 75-POUND SWIVEL, 25-, 30-POUND LEADER LINE, 2/0 OWNER HOOKS... - SHOULD HOLD 'EM FINE.

- AND A ONE-ARMED BANDIT.

SON, WE'RE READY TO GO.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

AND MINE'S TRYING TO EAT MY LINE.

YEAH.

- WHAT DO YOU SAY WE DROP 'EM DOWN THERE AND BUST ONE?

- I'M READY, BUDDY.

- LET'S DO IT.

- FIRST CRAB IN.

- LET'S DO IT.

FISH 'EM STRAIGHT DOWN BY THE WALL.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

AND BE READY FOR THE THUMP.

I LIKE LETTIN' IT HIT THE BOTTOM AND THEN JUST EASE IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

- YES, SIR.

YEAH, THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT I DO: DROP IT STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM AND JUST JIG IT NICE AND SLOW, AND JUST A TINY LITTLE BUMP IS ALL YOU'RE LOOKIN' FOR.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WAYNE, I TELL YA, THIS IS-- TO ME, IT'S REAL SIMILAR TO TROUT FISHING.

YOU BETTER HAVE SOME PATIENCE.

- YEAH.

- 'CAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THEY'RE HERE, BUT YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE 'EM BITE.

AND WHEN THEY DO BITE, IT'S JUST THAT REAL LIGHT, LITTLE-- LIKE SOMETHIN' JUST THUMPED THE TIP OF YOUR ROD.

MY AUNT--SHE WILL NOT TALK TO YOU WHILE SHE'S SITTING HERE WATCHIN' HER ROD.

- A LOT OF CONCENTRATION.

- I MEAN, SHE'S JUST LIKE THIS.

SOMETIMES SHE'S GOT BOTH HANDS.

OH, SON, I SEE THAT.

[chuckles] YOU GOT HIM LOOKIN'.

MM.

WHAT YOU GOT?

- UH, A LITTLE SMALL ONE.

- BREAK THE ICE.

THAT'S THE RIGHT KIND.

- YEAH.

IT'S A LITTLE FELLA.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING-- THAT'S GONNA BE THE ONE TO START THE FIRE.

ALL RIGHT, WAYNE.

WE LEFT THE SWING BRIDGE.

SAW THE FISH WE NEEDED, JUST COULD NOT GET 'EM TO EAT.

- I KNOW IT.

- AS HARD AS THAT WAS TO TAKE, YOU CAUGHT THAT ONE, YOU KNOW?

WE SAW 'EM, AND THEY JUST-- SOMETIMES YOU GOT TO MOVE ON, SO WE EASED OVER HERE TO THE HIGH-RISE BRIDGE, DEEPER WATER.

CLARITY'S NOT AS GOOD, WHICH MAY HELP US.

SO LET'S DROP US A ONE-ARMED BANDIT DOWN THERE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

- LET'S TRY IT, MAN.

I THINK WE'LL DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER HERE.

- ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO IT.

- [grunts] THERE HE IS, BOY.

THERE HE IS.

- YOU GONNA SHOW US A SHEEPSHEAD?

- OH, YEAH.

PRETTY FISH.

- YES, HE IS.

WE'LL TAKE THAT.

YES, SIR.

OH, YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOOD SIZE.

- YEAH, AND LOOK AT THEM TEETH.

THAT FISH LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU, WAYNE.

- OH, MAN.

YOU GONNA DO ME LIKE THAT, HUH?

- YOU WANT ME TO GET THE, UH... DID HE HIT IT GOOD?

- OH, HE THUMPED IT.

HE THUMPED IT.

GOOD NIGHT.

HE'S GOT SOMETHIN' TO WORK WITH RIGHT THERE.

- YES, HE DOES.

- THAT'S WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THEM THINGS RIGHT THERE, BOY.

- GET IT?

- MM-HMM.

- PRETTY FISH.

- YEAH, HE IS.

- THEY HAVE SOME THE PRETTIEST WHITE MEAT YOU EVER SEEN.

- MMM.

- GOOD ON THE DINNER TABLE.

WE'RE GONNA LET THIS ONE GO BACK AND GROW.

MAYBE WE'LL CATCH HIM AGAIN.

- GOOD JOB.

- ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD JOB.

- I DON'T THINK HE'S HURT.

[laughs] LET'S DO IT AGAIN, RICKY.

- YEAH, I WANT SOME OF THAT ACTION.

- LET'S DO IT.

- ALL RIGHT, WAYNE, YOU FISH FOR THESE SHEEPSHEAD MORE THAN I DO.

WHAT TIME OF YEAR YOU LIKE-- YOU LIKE TO START FISHIN' FOR 'EM?

- I START FISHIN' FOR 'EM THE FIRST OF MAY.

- FIRST OF MAY RIGHT ON INTO JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST.

I MEAN, THEY'RE GOOD RIGHT ON, RIGHT?

- OH, YEAH, MAN.

THE HOTTER IT GETS, THE BETTER.

- HOTTER THE BETTER.

BARNACLES AND FIDDLER CRABS?

- YES, SIR.

AND SEA URCHIN, IF YOU CAN FIND 'EM.

- OH, YEAH.

- BUT TYPICALLY, A FIDDLER CRAB IS A GO-TO ANY DAY.

- I'LL TELL YA, WE GOT SOME ROCKS RIGHT OUT HERE.

WE MIGHT EASE OFF THIS BRIDGE HERE IN A MINUTE AND TRY THAT ROCKY BOTTOM OVER THERE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AROUND A BRIDGE TO CATCH THESE THINGS.

- OH, NO.

NO, ANY STRUCTURE WITH A BARNACLE OR CRUSTACEAN... - I MEAN, THEY LOVE A BRIDGE, BUT... WE'LL EASE OUT THERE AND TRY THAT IN A MINUTE.

- AND THEY'RE GOOD AT STEALIN' BAITS.

- REAL GOOD.

THAT'S ALL THEY BEEN DOING TO ME HERE.

- [laughs] - BUT YOU GOT ONE.

- GOT ME A GOOD ONE, SON!

- I SHOULD'VE BROUGHT A SAWZALL, CUT THEM PILINGS OUT OF THE WAY.

- [grunts] - GET HIM.

- OH, YEAH.

- GET THAT ONE, BOY.

- BRING HIM ON UP HERE.

HOLD ON A SECOND.

HE AIN'T GOT IT MUCH.

NOT A MONSTER, BUT AGAIN, IT'S A PRETTY FISH.

- YES, SIR.

THAT'S THE BEST EATIN' SIZE RIGHT THERE, BUDDY.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- ALL RIGHT, WAYNE, LET ME TOUCH ONE, SINCE I HAVEN'T FELT ONE THIS MORNING.

- WE GET HIM, BUDDY.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

- TELL YOU WHAT.

HE'S GOT SOMETHING TO WORK WITH.

YOU JUST DID HAVE HIM TOO.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH RIGHT THERE.

- THAT'S A BARNACLE'S WORST NIGHTMARE, ISN'T IT?

- LOOK AT THE THORNS ON THE SIDE OF HIM THERE.

- YEAH.

NICE AND FAT.

- IT'S A GOOD ONE.

RELEASE HIM OVER HERE ON THIS SIDE SO WE WON'T... WHOO!

HE'S GONE.

- HE GET YA?

- SOAKED ME.

ALL RIGHT, IT'S MY TURN.

- LET'S KEEP IT UP.

LET'S KEEP IT UP.

- WAYNE, WHAT YOU THINKIN' ABOUT THE TIDE?

WE FISHED FROM SLACK THIS MORNIN' TO NOW; IT'S STARTIN' TO RISE.

HAVE YOU NOTICED IF IT'S AFFECTED THE BITE AT ALL?

- UM, I DON'T REALLY HAVE A PREFERENCE.

- YEAH.

- IT SEEMS LIKE THEY DO BITE A LITTLE BIT BETTER IF YOU GOT SOME CURRENT.

- AS LONG AS IT'S MOVING EITHER WAY.

- YEAH, I THINK YOU'LL SEE MORE FISH WHEN THE TIDE'S SLACK.

BUT AS FAR AS A BITE GOES, I LIKE IT RUNNIN' A LITTLE BIT.

- OH, YEAH.

SEEM LIKE IT DOES.

EVERYTHING MOVES A LITTLE MORE WHEN THE TIDE'S MOVIN'.

- OH, YEAH.

- EVEN THE WIND, YOU KNOW?

THE WIND WILL DIE DOWN WHEN THE TIDE DIES.

AIN'T THAT FUNNY?

OH, THEY WANT TO HIT RIGHT THERE.

- YOU GOT 'EM BUSTIN', BUD.

- I...

I HADN'T HAD BUT 20 THAT I'VE MISSED SO FAR, SO... - WELL, THEY'RE TOUGH.

THEY'RE TOUGH.

EASY FISH TO MISS.

GET HIM, SON.

- AWESOME.

- GET HIM, SON.

- [laughs] HE'S ALL-- - GET HIM, BOY.

GET HIM!

- IF HE'LL STAY RIGHT THERE... OH, HOLD UP.

- LOT OF FUN THERE, RICKY.

- YEAH, WE AIN'T CAUGHT ONE ALL DAY, I IMAGINE.

- WHOO, THAT'S GONNA BE A PRETTY ONE THERE, BUBBA.

- OH, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.

COME ON, BABY.

HE'S MAD 'CAUSE I TOOK A SCALE OFF HIS BACK WHILE I... - [grunts] - OH, NO.

- THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT THERE, BOY.

- GOOD NIGHT.

HOLD ON, NOW.

COME ON.

WE GOT LIGHTNING STRIKING AROUND US.

- OOH, GET OFF THAT PILIN'.

- OH, HEY.

- STAY OFF THAT PILIN'.

- UH, UH, UH, UH, UH.

- [laughs] - SON, GET READY RIGHT HERE.

- I THINK YOU GOT ME WHUPPED, BOY.

- GET HIM RIGHT THERE.

[grunting] - [laughs] - WHOO!

[both laugh] - COME HERE.

WELL--I'M GONNA-- - GOOD NIGHT, I RECKON.

- I'M GIVING THAT ONE A KISS.

TELL YOU WHAT, WAYNE.

THIS IS HOW I'D HOPED IT WOULD COME DOWN.

- I KNEW IT WAS GONNA HAPPEN.

- I HAVEN'T HAD A BITE ALL DAY.

LOOK AT HIS TAIL WHERE HE BEEN RUBBIN' THE PILINGS WITH IT.

- I KNOW IT.

I KNOW IT.

- HE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

- THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME.

I'M GONNA LET HIM GO.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

PRETTY SHEEPSHEAD THERE, BUBBA.

- YES, SIR.

LOOK AT THEM FINS.

THAT'S WHY HE PULLED SO HARD.

- HE'S GONNA WET YA.

- JOE, I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT'S JUST A TOUGH FISH TO CATCH.

- YEAH, THAT'S THE REPUTATION THAT FOLLOWS THEM, AND THESE GUYS HAVE DONE IT LONG ENOUGH; THEY KNOW--THEY'VE KIND OF REFINED HOW TO DO IT.

AND THE GUYS THAT I KNOW THAT CATCH THEM PRETTY CONSISTENTLY HAVE DONE IT FOR YEARS AND LEARNED HOW TO DO IT.

IN SOME CASES, YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO-- IT'S THAT SIXTH SENSE ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SET THE HOOK IN BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY FEEL THE BITE.

BUT LOADS OF FUN AND GOOD ON THE TABLE.

GOOD FISH TO EAT, AND WE GOT LOTS OF 'EM.

- WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GEAR.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- WELL, WAYNE, WE HAD TO FISH HARD FOR WHAT WE CAUGHT TODAY.

SHEEPSHEAD IS A PRETTY TOUGH FISH, AS I DEMONSTRATED BY CATCHIN' ONLY ONE TODAY, BUT I TELL YA, THAT ONE-- - THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

- I'D GET UP EVERY MORNING AND GO FOR THAT ONE.

STARTED OUT AT THE SWING BRIDGE.

IT WAS A LITTLE SLOW.

YOU CAUGHT THAT ONE, AND WE SAW WHAT WE NEEDED, BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE 'EM BITE, YOU KNOW?

YOU JUST GOT TO BEAR DOWN SOMETIMES AND FIGHT IT OUT, LIKE WE DID.

- OH, YEAH.

IT WAS WORTH IT.

- OH, YEAH.

- IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- THAT ONE CATCH-- THAT WAS A THRILL RIGHT THERE.

- OH, ABSOLUTELY.

- HE'S PROBABLY-- I DON'T KNOW--5, 6 POUND.

BUT ON THIS LIGHT TACKLE, YOU KNOW, 7 FOOT-- I MEAN, THIS IS NOTHIN' BUT MY TROUT ROD.

I DID BULK UP THE LINE A LITTLE BIT.

I'VE GOT 30-POUND BRAID, WHICH, YOU KNOW, HELPED ME OUT RIGHT THERE, AND THAT-- WHAT WAS THOSE HOOKS YOU GAVE ME, A 2/0?

- A 2/0 OWNER HOOK, YEP.

- AND A OUNCE AND A HALF EGG SINKER, BECAUSE WE'RE FISHIN', YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF CURRENT, 30, 40 FOOT DEEP, AND I TELL YA, THAT LITTLE BEAD TO PROTECT THE KNOT, YOU KNOW, THAT HELPS.

YOU AIN'T GOT TO HAVE IT, BUT IT HELPS YOU.

- SURE.

- AND WHAT--THE LEADER WAS 30 THAT YOU GAVE US?

- 25-, 30-POUND TEST.

- 25-, 30-POUND, AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST PUT PROBABLY 50 YARDS OF THAT 30, JUST ADDED IT RIGHT TO IT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILL UP THE WHOLE SPOOL.

- NO.

- AS YOU SEE, THEY DON'T TAKE A LOT OF DRAG.

THEY--YOU KNOW, THEY JUST MUSCLE YOU RIGHT CLOSE.

AND, I MEAN, IF HE WOULD'VE GOT AROUND THEM PILINGS, IT'D HAVE BEEN OVER WITH.

- OH, YEAH.

WELL, THAT'S THE THING TOO.

WE LIKE TO FISH LIGHT TACKLE, AS OPPOSED TO, A LOT OF THE-- A LOT OF OTHER SHEEPHEAD FISHERMEN, I THINK, GO FROM A HEAVIER TACKLE... - YEAH.

- BROOMSTICK-TYPE RODS.

- RIGHT, RIGHT, WHERE YOU CAN REALLY MUSCLE AND STRAIGHT OUT, HARDLY NO DRAG.

- I JUST THINK IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

- OH, YEAH, WHEN YOU'RE DOING IT FOR THE SPORT.

- HANG A FISH LIKE YOU DID TODAY ON A ROD LIKE THIS... - AND YOU COULD'VE HANDLED ONE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN THAT.

- OH, SURE.

- SHE MIGHT'VE BENT ON OVER.

BUT THAT 7-FOOT MEDIUM ACTION IS-- THAT'S JUST A GOOD ALL-AROUND ROD FOR INSHORE FISHIN'.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- AND THAT ONE YOU'VE GOT IS ABOUT THE SAME, AND THAT'S STRADIC.

I THINK THAT'S THE 3000 YOU'VE GOT.

- MM-HMM.

- WITH THAT CI4.

- YEAH, AWESOME REELS.

- THIS IS A 2500.

AND IT'LL DO THE JOB.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- IT DOES THE JOB WELL.

AND, UH...

THEM ONE-ARMED BANDITS RIGHT THERE... - YEAH, YOU CAN FIND THEM ABOUT ANYWHERE THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF GRASS AND SAND, LOW TIDE.

- LOW TIDE, YOU CAN RAKE 'EM UP IN 30 MINUTES.

GET ALL YOU NEED.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- AND THAT DID THE TRICK.

I THINK I DID CHEAT.

I THINK I HAD TWO ON THERE.

THE REASON I PUT TWO WAS SO I COULD GET A GOOD BITE.

- YOU CAN'T TELL ALL YOUR SECRETS.

[laughs] - WHEN YOU'RE LIKE I AM, A LITTLE BIT SLOW, SOMETIMES EXTRA BAIT HELPS.

BUT I TELL YA, THEY DONE THE TRICK TODAY.

AND YOU SCRAPE THE BARNACLES A LITTLE EARLIER, YOU KNOW, TO GET 'EM CHUMMED UP A LITTLE BIT, THAT HELPS WHEN YOU CAN.

BUT I APPRECIATE IT, MAN.

- OH, YEAH, MAN.

- GOOD TRIP.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- WE'LL DO IT AGAIN ONE DAY.

- ABSOLUTELY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

- THANKS, RICKY AND WAYNE, FOR THAT INFORMATION.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK WITH THESE GUYS AND SCHEDULE A TRIP, THE NUMBER'S RIGHT HERE ON YOUR SCREEN, SO FEEL FREE TO GIVE 'EM A CALL.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH A RECIPE TODAY FOR A SOUTHPORT SANDWICH.

- HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING A SOUTHPORT SANDWICH.

AND IT'S A REALLY QUICK AND EASY SANDWICH TO MAKE, AND IT'S KIND OF A SPECIALTY SANDWICH.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THAT YOU MIGHT MAKE ON THE WEEKEND, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF GOING OUT, YOU CAN MAKE IT AT HOME, AND IT'S GREAT.

SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA START OUT, AND WE'RE GOING TO BREAD OUR GROUPER.

WE'RE GONNA USE SOME PORK BAKE.

SO THIS IS GONNA GO INTO THE OVEN.

SO WE'RE GOING TO PUT THAT ON OUR WAX PAPER, AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR GROUPER, AND WHAT I DID IS, I CUT IT INTO NICE SQUARE PIECES, AND THEN IF IT'S A LITTLE THICK, YOU MIGHT WANT TO JUST SLICE IT, YOU KNOW, IN HALF AND MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT THINNER, SO IT'LL BE NICE ON YOUR SANDWICH.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA DREDGE IT IN THE BREADER UNTIL IT'S FULLY COATED.

PLACE IT ON-- SHAKE OFF THE EXCESS, AND PLACE IT ON OUR FOIL-LINED PAN, AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA BAKE THIS FOR-- AT 425 FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, JUST UNTIL IT'S DONE, DEPENDS ON THE THICKNESS OF YOUR FISH AS WELL.

AND YOU CAN USE ANY TYPE OF FISH THAT YOU HAVE.

MACKEREL WOULD BE GREAT, OR ANY TYPE OF HARDY, FIRM FISH WOULD BE GREAT.

SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE THAT ASIDE.

SO WE'RE GONNA BAKE THIS, LIKE I SAID, AT ABOUT 425 FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, UNTIL IT'S DONE.

SO ONCE IT'S DONE, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

IT'S NICE AND CRISPY.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA START TO BUILD OUR SANDWICH.

SO TO BUILD OUR SANDWICH, WE'RE GONNA TAKE SOME FRENCH BREAD THAT I JUST CUT ON THE DIAGONAL.

YOU CAN ALSO USE TEXAS TOAST IF YOU LIKE, OR IF YOU JUST HAVE REGULAR BREAD AT YOUR HOUSE BUT YOU WANT TO MAKE THE SANDWICH, THAT'LL WORK GREAT TOO.

SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, I'M GONNA SPRAY IT WITH SOME OLIVE OIL.

OR YOU CAN SPREAD IT WITH SOME BUTTER IF YOU LIKE.

I JUST LIKE THIS NEW OLIVE OIL YOU FIND IN THE GROCERY STORE IN A SPRAY BOTTLE.

IT'S AWESOME.

SO THEN--YOU'RE JUST GONNA SPRAY ONE SIDE.

THEN WE'RE GONNA START TO BUILD OUR SANDWICH, AND I'M GONNA USE SOME SWISS CHEESE, AND I'M GONNA CUT IT IN HALF.

AND I LIKE CHEESE ON BOTH SIDES 'CAUSE I THINK IT HOLDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER WHEN IT MELTS, SO I'M GONNA BUILD THAT.

THEN I'M GONNA TAKE MY GROUPER, AND I'M GONNA PUT IT HERE.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA USE SOME HAM, SOME DELI HAM.

AND THEN THE BEST PART, I THINK, IS A PICKLE, 'CAUSE THEY'RE JUST YUMMY.

SO WE'RE GONNA TOP IT LIKE THAT.

IT'S GONNA BE KIND OF A FIRM SANDWICH.

THEN WE CAN EITHER GRILL THIS ON A GRIDDLE, OR I LIKE TO USE MY PANINI MAKER, OR YOU CAN USE A GEORGE FOREMAN TOO, IF YOU LIKE.

OR IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN USE A CAST-IRON SKILLET AND ANOTHER SKILLET ON TOP.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA PRESS IT DOWN AND LET IT COOK UNTIL IT'S NICE AND CRISPY AND TOASTED ON BOTH SIDES.

IT'LL BE AWESOME.

SO THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT'S DONE.

YOU CAN SEE, IT HAS THESE GREAT TOASTED MARKS IN IT.

IT'S NICE AND CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE, AND IT KIND OF COMPACTS YOUR SANDWICH, 'CAUSE IT'S KIND OF TALL, BUT THEN IT'LL COMPACT IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WE'RE GONNA SERVE IT WITH SOME ROOT CHIPS, OR YOU CAN USE POTATO SALAD, OR A SLAW THAT YOU LIKE WOULD BE GREAT AS WELL.

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

- THANKS, DONNA.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A QUICK, FAST, IN-A-HURRY SANDWICH.

MAN, IT IS GOOD TOO, BECAUSE YOU'VE TRIED IT, RIGHT?

- I HAVE.

IT'S VERY GOOD.

- NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SHEEPHEAD A LITTLE MORE.

- YEAH, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THEIR REPUTATION PRECEDES THEM.

THEY-- WE'VE GOT A LOT OF 'EM.

THEY HANG AROUND-- AGAIN, AS I SAID EARLIER-- PIERS, BOAT DOCKS, AND THEY'RE UP AND DOWN THE COAST.

IF YOU'RE A PATIENT PERSON, IF YOU'RE A PATIENT FISHERMAN, GO TRY IT.

BUT IF YOU'RE NOT, IT'S GONNA TAX YOUR PATIENCE, BECAUSE THEY--THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE, EVEN IF YOU CAN SEE 'EM, YOU KNOW?

BUT LOTS OF FUN WHEN YOU CATCH 'EM, YOU CAN SEE.

THEY'RE LOTS OF FUN ON, REALLY, ANY TACKLE, BUT YOU NEED A FAIRLY STOUT ROD TO GET 'EM OFF THE PILINGS, 'CAUSE THEY WILL WRAP YOU AND BREAK YOU OFF.

SO LOADS OF FUN.

WE'VE GOT 'EM.

IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED IT AND WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT, GIVE THESE CAPTAINS A TRY.

THEY'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO DO IT.

- ANOTHER GOOD DAY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, 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] ♪