[PIANO INTRO] NO, BUT I'LL TAKE IT ANY TIME.

THAT'LL GIVE YOU A SENSE OF-- LOOK AT HIS TAIL-- LOOK AT HIM.

YEAH, HE'S UP TOP.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

YOU DON'T GET MANY DAYS THIS PRETTY OUT HERE.

I KNOW.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES YOU'RE FORCED TO FISH IN THE SHORE.

THIS ONE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS PROBLEM IS.

JUST EASING ALONG, ISN'T HE?

UH-HUH, HE SAW THE NET.

HE'S PLAYING POSSUM.

A LOT OF TIMES, YOU DON'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO FISH.

IT CAN GET KIND OF CHOPPY OUT HERE.

HAVEN'T SEEN HIM-- THERE HE IS.

THAT'S A NICE TROUT, BERT.

BRING HIM IN HERE.

THERE WE GO.

PRETTY FISH.

YES, HE IS.

SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPOTS-- LOOK, HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT MANY.

LOOK HOW LITTLE THEY ARE.

YEAH.

I LIKE THOSE ONES THAT ARE A DARK COLOR AND HAVE BIG OLD LEOPARD-LOOKIN' SPOTS ON.

THEY'RE PRETTY FISH.

NOT THAT THIS ONE'S NOT.

GOOD HOOKUP RATIO WITH... - [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, WE HAD TO GET UP REAL EARLY.

JOE, IT'S ABOUT SUNRISE TROUT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

FOR ANYBODY THAT HAS BEEN SPECKLED TROUT FISHING IN THIS STATE THIS YEAR, AND ACTUALLY THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT PARTICULARLY THIS YEAR, THE FISHING HAS BEEN JUST REALLY PHENOMENAL.

IT REALLY STARTED LAST YEAR.

HAS--HAS COME INTO THIS YEAR.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY SEVERE WINTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

AND CONSEQUENTLY, OUR SPECKLED TROUT POPULATION HAS--HAS MAINTAINED AND GROWN.

AND GROWN IN SIZE, AND, UH, SO WE, UH, BECAUSE OF THAT, I WANTED TO DO AN EXTRA SPECKLED TROUT SHOW THIS YEAR.

UH, AND WE DECIDED TO GO OUT AND GET UP REAL EARLY, WHICH YOU NEED TO DO IN THE SUMMERTIME 'CAUSE IT'S REAL HOT.

BUT WE WANTED TO SEE IF WE COULD GET A SHOW IN THE FIRST HOUR OF DAY.

AND, UH, WE DID IT.

WE'RE FISHING OVER IN THE ROSE BAY AREA OF THE NORTHERN PAMLICO SOUND AND, UH, USING LIVE BAIT, AND, UH, WE DID IT.

WE GOT OUR LIMIT OF, UH, TROUT UM, AS THE SUN WAS COMING UP.

NOW IN GEAR TIME, WE'LL TALK ABOUT EQUIPMENT.

NOT HI-TECH EQUIPMENT THOUGH.

(Joe) NO, JUST BASIC TROUT GEAR, LIGHT SPINNING OR CASTING GEAR.

UM, AGAIN, WE'RE USING LIVE BAIT.

THE GUYS WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT, UH, THE BAITS THAT THEY USE.

THE LIVE BAIT THEY PREFER.

AND, UH, JUST HAD A LOT OF FUN.

AND DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE USING GROUPER TODAY.

(Joe) REAL TASTY.

IT'S A MEDITERRANEAN GROUPER RECIPE THAT SHE'S COME UP WITH THAT, UH, IF YOU LIKE THE GROUPER, STAY TUNED.

ALL RIGHT, WE GOT A LOT GOING ON HERE TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

PRETTY MORNING, SCOTTY.

YES, IT IS.

SUN HADN'T QUITE COME UP YET, BUT IT'S GETTING READY TO BREAK.

HERE--I GOT A BAIT PANICKING HERE.

I JUST FELT IT.

THERE HE IS RIGHT THERE.

YOU GOT HIM ON.

IT'S--I LOVE FISHING WITH A LIVE BAIT WHEN YOU FEEL 'EM-- YOU CAN FEEL THE BAIT PANICKING.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

OH YEAH, I LIKE IT.

I LIKE IT.

FIRST CAST.

THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD START.

IT IS.

I'LL TELL YOU ANOTHER THING I LIKE ABOUT THIS SUN COMING UP.

THOSE 'SQUITOES HAVE LAID LOUD US ON-- LAID OUT ON US.

I'LL TELL YOU ONCE WE GET STARTED, WE'LL SET THE NET BETWEEN US.

TRYING TO BRING HIM IN ON AROUND THE FRONT.

I SEE MY BAIT SLID UP THE LINE THERE.

I MAY HUNG IN YOUR ROD.

HOLD ON A SECOND.

OH, OKAY.

BRING HIM TO ME.

THERE WE GO.

WOW.

THERE YOU GO, KURT.

HE'S A PRETTY LITTLE FISH, ISN'T HE?

STILL GOT MY BAIT.

MULLET--HE'LL GO BACK.

I'LL TELL YOU, THAT CIRCLE HOOK-- GET HIM RIGHT IN HIS LIP LIKE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE TROUT WE'RE LOOKING BUT I THINK WE'LL CARRY HIM HOME.

HE'S 15" AND THAT'S ABOUT MY CUT-OFF.

YEAH.

LET'S PUT-- CATCH ANOTHER ONE.

LET'S DO IT.

WELL, KURT, YOU DID PRETTY GOOD.

FIRST CAST, CAUGHT A FISH.

THAT'S THE WAY TO BREAK THE ICE.

I LIKE TO START LIKE THAT.

AND I'M TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH YOU.

DANG, YEAH.

NOTHING LIKE SOME LIVE BAIT.

I TELL YOU IN AUGUST, WE NEED TO FIRST THING IN THE MORNING GO AHEAD AND TRY AND GET IT DONE 'CAUSE IT'LL BE HOT.

OH, THERE'S ONE RIGHT-- YOU KNOW, I LOVE FISHING THAT LIVE BAIT WHEN YOU CAN FEEL 'EM PICK IT UP LIKE THAT.

LOOK AT THAT FI-- MY FISH IS TAKING A DRAG GOOD UP ON THE SURFACE.

I'LL HELP YOU OUT THERE.

[grunting] THANK YOU, KURT.

WELL, HOPEFUL CATCHING A NICE TROUT TODAY.

AND I BELIEVE I HAVE ONE HERE.

HE'S FURTHER AWAY NOW THAN WHEN, UH... THEN WHEN HE HOOKED UP, SCOTTY.

OKAY.

WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN.

THIS TROUT HERE IS ABOUT...

I'D SAY ABOUT 14, 15.

I'M GONNA TURN HIM LOOSE.

15's ABOUT THE CUT-OFF.

WANNA MAKE SURE WE HAVE A FEW TO EAT.

BUT WE'RE HOPING TO CATCH A NICE FISH.

THIS FISH IS GONNA TAKE ME AROUND THE BOAT HERE.

OKAY.

WHEN HE TOOK THE BAIT, HE CAME RIGHT UP ON TOP THE WATER THERE A LITTLE BIT.

ALL RIGHT, SCOTT, I'M BRINGING IT TO YOU.

OKAY.

HE'S A GOOD TWO-POUND FISH.

YEAH.

NICE JOB.

YEAH.

YEAH.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

LET ME GET AROUND HERE.

KNOW WHAT?

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

20 INCHES?

MM-HMM.

18 ANYWAY.

LOOK AT--CIRCLE HOOK'S GOT HIM RIGHT IN THE CORNER OF THE MOUTH.

I KNOW IT.

WORKS GOOD EVERY TIME.

AND IT HELPS THE TROUT SURVIVAL RATE.

THEY DON'T SWALLOW HOOKS SO BAD.

NOT TO MENTION YOU GET A GOOD HOOK-UP RATE, BECAUSE SEE HOW THAT'S GOT HIM RIGHT THROUGH THAT GILL?

THAT--NOT GILL PLATE, BUT PLATE OF HIS-- THAT'S GOOD, HARD TROUT MOUTH THERE.

THAT'S THE TOUGH PART OF HIS MOUTH.

WHAT DO YOU RECKON THAT FISH WEIGHS?

NOT TWO POUNDS, I'D SAY.

NO, BE HE'S NOT TOO FAR FROM IT.

YOU KNOW, SCOTTY.

WHAT'S THAT?

THIS IS A GOOD TROUT YEAR.

WE'VE SEEN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT-SIZED FISH.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

YEAH.

NO REAL BIG ONES, BUT FROM 22 TO...

SHOOT, 8 INCHES.

WELL, WE'VE HAD A BREAK FROM-- WE HAD SO MANY COLD WINTERS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THEY REALLY WERE TOUGH ON THE TROUT.

IT DOESN'T TAKE...

BUT ABOUT A YEAR, MAYBE TWO FOR 'EM TO COME BACK GOOD THOUGH.

YEAH, AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I REALLY THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO PRACTICE SOME CONSERVATION WITH CATCH AND RELEASE.

AND, UH, YOU DON'T NEED TO KEEP ALL YOUR BIG FISH.

YOU NEED--YOU NEED TO PUT SOME BACK BECAUSE THOSE ARE YOUR PRODUCERS.

I THINK IT'S DETERMINED THAT 12 TO 14 INCHES, THEY CAN BREED.

I FEEL MY BAIT PANICKING DOWN THERE, SCOTTY, LIKE HE WAS JUST VIBRATING LIKE A TROUT CRUISED BY HIM.

YEAH.

LOOK AT THAT.

THERE HE IS.

WAY TO GO, KURT.

YOU WANT A GOOD, SENSITIVE ROD...

WHEN YOU'RE TROUT FISHING.

I DON'T CARE IF IT'S LIVE BAIT OR NOT.

HE'S A SMALL FISH, BUT STILL, YOU KNOW?

I TELL YOU, GENE PUT ME ON THIS LINE RIGHT HERE.

IT'S ACTUALLY CALLED TRIPLE FISH.

IT'S, UM, FLUOROCARBON.

VERY, VERY SENSITIVE.

HE'S SAYS IT'S ONLY 25% LESS STRETCH THAN MONO, BUT IT FEELS LIKE A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

MM-HMM.

VERY SENSITIVE.

BY FAR THE MOST I'VE HAD.

GOT HIM--OOH!

MISSED HIM.

UH-HUH.

BUT I TELL YOU THE PROBLEM WITH IT IS IT SINKS INSTEAD OF FLOATING.

YEAH.

YOUR BAIT DIDN'T COME OFF.

IT SLIDE DOWN THE LINE.

HE'S STILL GOT IT.

IT SINKS INSTEAD OF FLOATS.

IT MAKES IT TOUGH TO FISH A TOP WATER PLUG.

WELL, I HAVEN'T MADE THE SWITCH TO FLUORO.

I USE IT ON MY LEVERS-- IT'S RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE.

BUT IT'S VERY SENSITIVE.

I'VE NEVER...

IT'S ALMOST LIKE, UH, SOME OF THAT BRAIDED LINE.

YOU NEED ANY HELP THERE OR-- YEAH.

OH, REALLY?

YEAH, I LIKE THE LOOKS OF THAT ONE, SCOTTY.

HOW ABOUT GIVING ME A HAND?

SLIP HIM OVER HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

LOOK, KURT-- HE'S A--HE'S A NICE FISH THERE.

YEAH, HE'S ONE OF THE ONE'S I WAS TELLING YOU THAT DON'T HAVE MANY SPOTS THAT YOU CATCH OUT HERE SO METIMES.

LOOK HERE--FOR A SPECKLED TROUT, AND IT'S USUALLY YOU NOTICE THAT ON THE BIGGER ONES.

YOU SEE HOW HE'S JUST GOT SPOTS IN THAT LITTLE AREA RIGHT THERE AND HE'S ALL CLEAN ALL THE WAY UP TO YOUR HAND?

HE'S GOT SOME GOOD FANGS THOUGH.

THIS FALL, I CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH IN THE CREEKS.

IN THE COASTAL CREEKS OFF THE PAMLICO.

AND THOSE FISH WERE BLACK LOOKING.

YEAH, PRETTIER.

YEAH.

BUT I WAS CATCHING THEM IN THAT STAINED WATER.

HE PROBABLY COME FROM A SANDY BANK SOMEWHERE.

YES.

PRETTY FISH.

GOOD JOB.

I'M GONNA KEEP HIM.

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ A LITTLE BIT OF DRAG ON HIM.

OH, BOY, YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT!

YEAH!

THAT THING NEVER GOT TO THE BOTTOM, DID IT?

NO.

THAT'S NOT A BAD FISH THERE.

NO.

CAN I BORROW YOUR PLIERS?

YES, SIR.

THANK YOU.

WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY THEY'RE PLIERS-- THANK YOU.

SPECKLED TROUT.

HE'S STILL CROAKING.

I'M READY TO DO THAT AGAIN.

THAT ONE TOOK DRAG WHEN HE PICKED IT UP, SCOTTY.

OH, YOU GOT ANOTHER ONE.

MM-HMM.

GOOD DEAL.

GOOD DEAL.

SEE IF I CAN'T GET OUT THERE AND JOIN THE PARTY.

I JUST LOVE TO CATCH A TROUT.

I DO TOO.

I'D RATHER CATCH 'EM THAN ANYTHING.

I TELL YOU WHAT.

WHETHER YOU FRY 'EM OR BAKE 'EM, IT'S HARD TO BEAT.

YOU NEED ANY HELP THERE, KURT?

NO, I'LL GET HIM.

OKAY.

YEAH, I LIKE THAT.

BAKIN' 'EM IS GOOD.

THEY JUST MY FAVORITE.

IT MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER ON THE FISH IF YOU NET 'EM.

I DON'T THINK HE'LL QUITE MAKE THE GRADE.

THERE YOU GO.

BUT HE'S A--OOP!

HE'S A PRETTY FISH.

HE IS.

MATTER OF FACT, I'D LIKE TO TAKE ABOUT TWO OR THREE HOME.

YEAH, I THINK WE NEED-- I'M KIND OF HOLDING OUT TO...

I DON'T KNOW, WE NEED ABOUT TWO MORE ANYHOW TO EAT, FOR SURE.

IF THIS FISH IS 16, WE'LL KEEP HIM.

SCOTTY, MY BAIT'S PANICKING THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

OH, I THOUGHT HE WAS PICKING IT UP RIGHT THEN.

LOOK AT IT.

ROD TIP'S--I CAN FEEL HIM GETTING IT.

I'VE ONLY GOT ABOUT A-- I LIKE ABOUT A FOOT DOWN THERE.

BETWEEN MY WEIGHT AND THE-- I'VE LOST A COUPLE HOOKS.

I'M DOWN TO ABOUT 8 INCHES.

YEAH, THE STOOL'LL DO A JOB.

YOU KNOW I'VE TAKEN SOME GUESTS WITH ME FISHING OVER THE YEARS.

AND A LOT OF THEM BASS FISH.

AND THEY WON'T SET THE HOOK.

AND IT'S HARD TO GET 'EM TO LEARN WITH A SPECKLED TROUT, YOU GOT TO EASE THEM IN WITH LIVE BAIT.

WITH YOUR CIRCLE HOOK, YOU JUST KEEP YOUR LINE TAUGHT, HE'LL HOOK HIMSELF.

HE'S STAYING AWAY--OH.

NO.

YOU WANT ENOUGH WHERE THEY CAN STAY AWAY FROM CRABS.

YEAH.

IF YOUR BAIT'S STILL ON IT, I DON'T NEED TO REEL IT IN.

AS LONG AS HE'S STILL THERE.

MUST BE A LITTLE FISH THAT CAN'T QUITE GET HIM IN HIS MOUTH DOWN THERE.

I THINK WE MIGHT BE IN EACH OTHER.

WELL, YOU THREW ABOUT ACROSS ME, BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

WHICH WAY ARE YOU?

THERE WE GO.

I'M GONNA BRING HER IN.

I BELIEVE THAT FISH FINALLY PICKED MINE UP, CAME THIS WAY.

GOT HIM?

MM-HMM.

GOOD DEAL.

I JUST COULDN'T FEEL IT.

I STILL THINK IT'S A SMALL FISH.

WELL, MY MOTTO IS DON'T GRADE 'EM 'TIL YOU SEE 'EM.

[chuckling] IT'S NOT THAT BIG A FISH, BUT... WELL, I BETTER NOT GRADE HIM 'TIL I SEE HIM.

HE PICKED IT UP COMING THIS WAY.

REALLY?

AND HE'S HEADED-- HEADED FOR THE ANCHOR.

HE'S A DECENT FISH, SCOTT.

KEEP HIM OUT OF THE ANCHOR.

I GOT HIM OUT OF THERE NOW.

I GOT HIM ON A SHORT LEASH.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY HELP.

I'M GONNA BRING HIM RIGHT ON AROUND HERE.

HE'S NOT A BIG FISH, BUT HE'S A KEEPER.

HE'S NICE KIND OF-- OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE CATCHING NICE FISH OUT HERE, BUT SUMMER'S NOT NORMALLY KNOWN FOR A BIGGER FISH TO START WITH.

NO, UH... [grunts] WELL, MY LINE MUST BE WEAK THEN.

NO, ACTUALLY, IT BROKE IN A DIFFERENT SPOT.

BROKE IN A DIFFERENT SPOT, SCOTTY.

MY LEAD WEIGHT OUGHT TO BE IN THE BOAT HERE SOMEWHERE.

HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

WE'RE GONNA LET HIM GO.

IF WE CAN JUST CATCH ANOTHER ONE.

YOU DON'T RECKON HE'LL TELL ON US, DO YOU?

HOPEFULLY NOT.

YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH THAT ONE, KURT?

WELL, NO, BUT I'LL TAKE IT ANYTIME.

I'LL GIVE YOU-- LOOK AT HIS TAIL-- LOOK AT HIM.

YEAH, HE'S UP TOP.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, YOU DON'T GET MANY DAYS THIS PRETTY OUT HERE.

I KNOW IT.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES, YOU'RE FORCED TO FISH IN THE SHORE.

THIS ONE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS PROBLEM IS.

JUST EASING ALONG, ISN'T HE?

UH-HUH.

HE SAW THE NET.

HE WAS PLAYING POSSUM.

A LOT OF TIMES, YOU DON'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO FISH.

IT CAN GET KIND OF CHOPPY OUT HERE.

HAVEN'T SEEN HIM AGAIN.

THERE HE IS.

THAT'S A NICE TROUT, KURT.

BRING HIM IN HERE.

THERE WE GO.

PRETTY FISH.

YES, HE IS.

(Kurt) SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPOTS-- LOOK, HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT MANY BUT LOOK HOW LITTLE THEY ARE.

YEAH.

I LIKE THOSE ONES THAT ARE DARK-COLORED AND HAVE BIG OLD LEOPARD-LOOKIN' SPOTS ON THEM.

THEY'RE PRETTY FISH.

NOT THAT THIS ONE'S NOT.

GOOD HOOK-UP RATIO WITH A CIRCLE HOOK TOO.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T USE THEM 'CAUSE THEY'RE SCARED THEY WON'T HOOK AS GOOD.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE FISHING LIVE BAIT OR SOMETHING, THERE'S NO HOOK SET TO IT.

YOU'LL FEEL YOUR BAIT PANICKING, AND HE'LL TAKE THAT THING AND YOU JUST TIGHTEN UP ON HIM.

THE BEAUTY OF IT, HE'LL HOOK HIMSELF.

HE'LL HOOK HIMSELF.

IF KEEP YOUR LINE TIGHT.

WORSE THING YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO SET THE HOOK.

THAT'S RIGHT.

SNATCH THE WHOLE THING AWAY.

JOE, THAT WAS A GOOD DAY OF FISHING, BUT YOU DO HAVE TO GET UP EARLY.

YOU REALLY DO.

IN THE SUMMERTIME ESPECIALLY, SPECKLED TROUT ARE GONNA BE FEEDING RIGHT THERE AT FIRST LIGHT.

AND SO YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED.

AND SO WE--WE-- AGAIN, WE DECIDED TO DO THAT.

AND WE HAD OUR BAIT-- WE GOT OUR BAIT THAT MORNING, UH, BEFORE IT GOT LIGHT.

AND, UH, THE SPOT WE HAD PICKED, WE KNEW THERE WERE FISH THERE.

AND WE KNEW THERE WAS GONNA BE A SHORT WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

AND THE CONDITIONS ON THE SURFACE-- THERE WAS VERY LITTLE WIND.

AND EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER AND WE CAUGHT FISH.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT WE USED.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ WELL, SCOTT, IT'S A GREAT MORNING.

IT IS.

WE'VE HAD REAL GOOD SUCCESS THIS MORNING OUT ON THE PAMLICO.

AND THE SEAS HAVE BEEN JUST PERFECT.

IT'S BEEN CALM.

AND WE WERE OUT HERE AT THE CRACK OF DAWN AND FELL RIGHT INTO FISH TODAY.

ALREADY A LITTLE MUGGY.

7:00--WE'VE PRETTY MUCH DONE WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.

WE MIGHT BEAT SOME BANKS JUST SO WE DON'T GET HOME TOO EARLY.

KEPT ENOUGH FISH FOR BOTH OF US TO EAT THIS AFTERNOON.

YOU KNOW, LIVE BAIT FISHING YOU CAN MAKE IT-- YOU CAN SOMETIMES MAKE A QUICK TRIP.

YEAH.

THE RIG WE WERE USING IS JUST A CAROLINA RIG.

I THINK WE WERE BOTH PRETTY MUCH SINCE WE'RE USING BAIT CASTERS, USED A HALF-OUNCE WEIGHT.

A BEAD JUST TO KIND OF PROTECT THE KNOT THERE.

KEEPS YOU FROM GETTING BEAD OFF SO MUCH.

I THINK WE BOTH-- ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T WATCH YOU RIG YOURS.

WE BOTH PROBABLY HAD 20-POUND TEST FLUOROCARBON FOR A LEADER.

UM...

I TELL YOU, WHEN I TIE MINE, I LIKE TO USE A MERE LURE KNOT.

LOT MORE FLEX ON IT.

GIVES YOUR BAIT A LITTLE MORE FREE PLAY.

AND, UH...

SOMETIMES USE A QUARTER... MOSTLY A HALF... JUST DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS.

YEAH.

IT'S BEEN CALM.

WE COULD'VE GOT AWAY WITH QUARTER OUNCE REAL EASY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE TODAY.

IS WE'RE USING CIRCLE HOOKS.

AND THEY'RE SHORT SHANK LIVE BAIT HOOKS.

AND JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME IT'LL HOOK HIM IN THE CORNER OF THE MOUTH WHERE IT'S TOUGH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU DON'T LOSE AS MANY FISH.

AND THE SURVIVAL RATE ON YOUR RELEASES IS SO MUCH BETTER BECAUSE HE DOESN'T SWALLOW THE HOOK.

LOTTA PEOPLE USE JUST REGULAR OFFSET LIVE BAIT HOOKS.

AND THIS IS A STRAIGHT SHANK.

SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO USE TREBLES.

I DON'T LIKE TO USE 'EM BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY AGGRAVATING IN THE NET.

TAKES TOO LONG FOR YOU TO GET OUT THERE AGAIN.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT PRIME TIME FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

I THINK THAT CIRCLE HOOK'S THE MOST EFFICIENT, AS FAR AS CATCHING THE FISH.

AND AS FAR AS BAITS, WE PRETTY MUCH HAVE AN ASSORTMENT.

WHATEVER WE COULD CATCH.

MULLET'S A GOOD BAIT.

PIN FISH, GREAT BAIT.

I'D PROBABLY SAY IF I HAD MY CHOICE, CROAKERS AND LITTLE SPOTS WOULD BE THE BEST, BUT THEY'RE...

THEY'RE A LITTLE SOFTER.

AND BEACH, A LOT OF PEOPLE USE LIVE SHRIMP.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THAT'S EXCELLENT BAIT.

BUT THE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN FROM WHAT I'VE READ UP ON, THAT YOUR LARGER TROUT LIKE THE FIN FISH.

YOUR CROAKERS, YOUR MULLETS.

THEY'RE TWICE AS DURABLE.

TEN TIMES AS DURABLE.

ANYTHING OUT THERE-- YOUR SHRIMP, YOUR PIN FISH, AND STUFF WON'T MESS WITH THESE.

WE'RE FISHING A CAROLINA RIG.

LOTTA TIMES YOU CAN FISH 'EM UNDER A CORE.

I LIKE CAROLINA RIGS 'CAUSE YOU GOT MORE FEEL TO IT.

ALWAYS HAVE A DIP NET.

LIGHT, SMOOTH DRAG.

AND YOU'RE GOOD TO GO.

YEP, I LIKE THE WAY WE WERE FISHING TODAY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE FISHING IN 5, 6 FOOT OF WATER AROUND A BANK, A CORK IS GOOD.

YOUR CROAKERS AND YOUR PIN FISH, THEY'RE BOTTOM FEEDERS SO THEY'LL SWIM STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM.

IF YOU USE A BABY MENHADEN OR A MULLET, YOU HAVE TO PUT A LITTLE WEIGHT ON IT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

TO PUT IT DOWN.

ALL RIGHT, WELL I ENJOYED IT.

LET'S GO HOME, CLEAN SOME FISH.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GLAD YOU MADE IT.

REALLY ENJOYED IT.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

THANK YOU.

WE THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY USING GROUPER.

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN WE'RE MAKING A MEDITERRANEAN GROUPER AND ASPARAGUS DISH AND IT IS FABULOUS.

IT LOOKS VERY SOPHISTICATED AND FANCY, BUT YET IT GOES TOGETHER JUST LIKE THAT.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR IN-YOUR-OVEN BREADER AND WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT IN OUR BAG.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW HOW I LIKE TO USE THE IN-YOUR-OVEN, 'CAUSE THEN I CAN JUST POP IT IN MY OVEN.

IT COMES OUT NICE AND CRISPY.

BUT I ALSO LIKE TO ADD SOME FLAVORINGS TO IT, SO I'M GONNA ADD IN JUST A LITTLE BIT OF LEMON PEPPER BREADER SO IT'LL GIVE ME LOTS OF THAT GREAT FLAVOR AND I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT SEASONINGS I WANT TO USE.

AND, UM, BUT I GET TO USE THE IN-YOUR-OVEN WHICH IS QUICK AND EASY AS WELL.

SO I'M JUST GONNA GIVE THAT A SHAKE.

I'M GONNA TAKE MY FISH FILETS, AND YOU CAN USE GROUPER, YOU CAN USE, UM, ANY TYPE OF WHITE FISH THAT YOU LIKE AND YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO CLOSE OUR BAG AND GIVE IT A GOOD SHAKE... TO COAT IT.

THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT ON OUR BAKING SHEET THAT I'VE COATED WITH A, UM, A NON-STICK FOIL.

OR YOU CAN USE PARCHMENT PAPER OR YOU CAN USE YOUR BAKING SHEET.

BUT I LIKE TO KEEP MY SHEET NICE AND CLEAN.

AND THEN I HAVE LESS CLEAN-UP AT THE END AS WELL.

SO I'M ALL ABOUT GETTING IN AND OUT OF MY KITCHEN QUICKLY.

SO I'M GONNA GIVE THAT ANOTHER SHAKE.

AND THEN WE HAVE-- THESE ARE READY.

SO WHILE THESE ARE IN YOUR OVEN BAKING AND CRISPING UP.

UM, YOU'RE GONNA BAKE THESE AT ABOUT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, DEPENDING ON THE THICKNESS OF YOUR FISH FILETS.

SO WHILE THOSE ARE IN THE OVEN BAKING, WE'RE GONNA MAKE OUR RELISH THAT GOES ON THIS.

AND THIS IS A GREAT RELISH.

UM, WE'RE GOING TO USE SOME CHOPPED OLIVES.

AND YOU CAN BUY OLIVES ALREADY CHOPPED IN THE JAR.

I CHECKED THAT OUT THE OTHER DAY IN THE STORE AND I WAS SO PSYCHED BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE TO STAND HERE AND CHOP AND FOLLOW THEM AROUND ON THE BOARD.

THEN WE'RE GONNA PUT IN SOME ONION THAT'S BEEN CHOPPED.

SOME CAPERS.

AND A LITTLE JALAPENO PEPPER.

AND WITH THE JALAPENO, I WOULD, UM, SLICE IT DOWN THE MIDDLE, TAKE THE SEEDS AND THE MEMBRANE OUT, WASH YOUR HANDS REALLY WELL, AND THEN PROCEED WITH YOUR, UM, CHOPPING IT BECAUSE THE MEMBRANE AND THE SEEDS IS WHAT IS REALLY, REALLY HOT AND WILL BURN YOUR HANDS.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THAT A TOSS.

WE'RE GONNA ADD IN A LITTLE BIT OF SEASONED VINEGAR TO THIS.

IF YOU WANT, SOME SALT AND PEPPER.

AND JUST TOSS THAT.

AND ABOUT THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE COOKING OF YOUR FISH, YOU WANT TO PUT YOUR ASPARAGUS ON THERE.

SO, UM, WE HAVE OUR ASPARAGUS HERE, AND YOU CAN SEE THE ENDS ARE KIND OF DRIED OUT.

SO WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS TAKE MINE AND JUST KIND OF CHOP OFF THOSE ENDS.

AND THEN YOU'RE GONNA JUST TOSS IT ONTO YOUR BAKING SHEET.

AND FINISH THAT UP IN THE OVEN.

IT WON'T TAKE BUT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.

YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERCOOK IT TOO MUCH OR IT'LL BE KIND OF SOGGY.

SO I LIKE MINE TENDER CRISP.

SO WE'RE GONNA JUST PUT THAT IN THERE.

YOU CAN SPRITZ IT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF OIL AND SOME CRACKED BLACK PEPPER IF YOU LIKE.

AND FINISH IT OFF FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES IN YOUR OVEN.

AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT'S FINISHED.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THE FISH IS NICE AND CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE, HAS THAT GREAT LEMON FLAVOR.

AND THEN OUR ASPARAGUS IS DONE PERFECTLY.

WE JUST TOP IT WITH OUR, UM, RELISH.

AND IT IS A GREAT MIXTURE OF FLAVORS AND TEXTURES.

AND I THINK YOU'RE REALLY, REALLY GONNA ENJOY IT.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS MEDITERRANEAN GROUPER AND ASPARAGUS.

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

AS ALWAYS, ANOTHER GREAT RECIPE.

DONNA, WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK TROUT FISHING.

GOOD YEAR.

GOOD YEAR AND IT'S GONNA CONTINUE TO BE GOOD RIGHT INTO THIS FALL.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A REALLY SPECTACULAR FALL SEASON.

AND IF WE HAVE A MILD WINTER AGAIN, A LOT OF FISH WILL SURVIVE.

WE'RE--WE'RE AT ONE OF THE NORTHERNMOST LOCATIONS FOR SPECKLED TROUT.

AND WE GET REAL COLD WINTERS AND IT ICES UP OUT IN THE SOUNDS.

LOT OF TIMES, WE'LL LOSE FISH.

THEY'LL--THEY'LL DIE BECAUSE OF IT.

AND SO, UH, THE POPULATIONS, YOU KNOW, UM, COME AND GO BASED ON MOTHER NATURE.

BUT THE LAST THREE OR FOUR SEASONS, WE PROGRESSIVELY ARE SEEING A BIGGER CLASS OF FISH IN THE POP-- SPECKLED TROUT POPULATION.

AND SO EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FALL.

LOVE A GOOD DAY OF FISHING IN NORTH CAROLINA.

ABSOLUTELY.

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 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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