[PIANO INTRO] YOU KNOW, JUST THE VERY FIRST OF THE MORNING OR THE LATE EVENING.

BUT IF YOU'RE WORKING IN ONLY ABOUT 4 OR 5 FEET OF WATER, THEY'LL COME UP AND HIT IT FROM THAT FAR DOWN.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE 2 INCHES BELOW IT, YOU KNOW?

WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS POND'S FILLED WITH GRASS.

SO THEY'RE JUST BURIED IN THAT GRASS, AND THEY COULD BE ANYWHERE.

AH.

I BELIEVE THIS IS, JOEY, WITHOUT QUESTION... MAKING SOME GOOD WAKE OV ER THERE.

UNLESS HE'S GOT A TON OF GRASS ON HIM, THIS IS A LITTLE BETTER FISH.

OH, YEAH.

YEP, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGER ONES.

WELL, THAT'S A NICE FISH, TOM.

NICE FISH.

LET ME GET THE GRASS OFF OF HER SO WE CAN SEE HER GOOD.

SHE WASN'T EVEN STUCK OR ANYTHING.

SHE WAS JUST OUT IN THE MIDDLE THERE, JUST BURIED IN THAT GRASS.

I WASN'T SURE WHAT I HAD.

I SAW A LOT OF GRASS, SO I WASN'T REALLY SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

BUT THE WAY SHE WAS FIGHTING, I KNEW IT HAD A LITTLE SIZE TO IT.

LOTTA GRASS AND A LOTTA BASS.

A LOTTA GRASS ON THE BASS.

YEAH.

THERE'S A PRETTY FISH THERE.

PRETTY, PRETTY, PRETTY.

I'M GONNA EASE HER BACK IN.

YEAH, SHE'S MAYBE LAID OUT, BUT... - [MALE ANNOUNCER]: THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESCOURCES COMMISSION.

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ HELLO.

WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM'S GONNA TAKE US BASS FISHING.

AND WE GOT A RECIPE FOR YOU, SO GET PEN AND PAPER READY, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A SHOW TODAY THAT YOU'RE GONNA NEED TO KEEP SOME NOTES ON, RIGHT, JOE?

THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TOP WATER BASS FISHING, ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPORTS.

SPRINGTIME OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE FISH ARE REAL ACTIVE ON THE SURFACE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS REALLY UNUSUAL ABOUT THAT DAY, WE DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF SURFACE ACTIVITY THAT MORNING EARLY.

WHICH, A LOT OF TIMES, YOU'LL SEE THAT WHEN YOU'RE BASS FISHING THIS TIME OF YEAR.

BUT WE REALLY DIDN'T SEE THAT MUCH.

BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

I THINK WE ENDED UP CATCHING 25 OR 30 BASS AND JUST HAD A FUN TIME ON THE WATER.

AND YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH AT "GEAR TIME" ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS KIND OF FISHING.

THEY'RE GONNA SHARE WITH US THE TOP WATER BAITS THEY USED.

WE USED A VARIETY-- WE USED SOME STICK BAITS, WE USED A BUZZBAITS, AND THEY'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AND DISCUSS THAT.

AND WHAT ABOUT THIS SPICY SEAFOOD SALAD?

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

I HAVEN'T TRIED IT YET.

BUT DONNA SAYS IT'S ONE OF HER FAVORITES.

WE GOT A LOT GOING ON.

WE GOT A BUSY PROGRAM TODAY.

GET READY, A LOT IS COMING YOUR WAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

JOEY, HERE WE ARE, FIRST OF MAY, GOT A NICE WARM MORNING.

PROBABLY AROUND 70 ALREADY.

ABOUT 10 TILL 8:00.

I THOUGHT MAYBE TOP WATERS TODAY, SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING?

YEAH, IT'S GONNA BE REALLY WARM TODAY FOR MAY.

IT'S GONNA GET UP IN THE MID-90s, I THINK.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF GRASS ON THIS POND BOTTOM.

THAT MEANS A GOOD TOP WATER BITE, 'CAUSE THE BASS'LL HIDE IN THAT GRASS AND AMBUSH BAIT.

THAT'LL KEEP YOU OUTTA THE GRASS, AND TOP WATER LOOKS LIKE THE BAIT HERE THIS MORNING.

WE'VE GOT SOME LILY PADS OUT HERE AND SOME DEEPER WATER AROUND IT.

THE EDGE SHOULD BE GOOD.

I THINK WE'LL BE READY TO ROLL WITH THIS TOP WATER.

LOOKS LIKE A GOOD MORNING FOR IT.

YEP.

LET'S GET STARTED.

THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD FEELING FISH THERE, TOM.

THAT WAS A NICE STRIKE.

YEAH, HE JUST...

I THINK HE'S GOT IN THAT MOSS AGAIN TO... COME RIGHT OFF THAT POINT.

YEAH.

HARD TO TELL MUCH ABOUT WHAT SIZE HE IS.

HE'S A NICE LITTLE FISH.

NICE FISH ON A BUZZBAIT.

WELL, HE JUST... JUST SLIPPED UP BEHIND IT AND GOT IT TOO.

REAL NICE.

LITTLE MOSS ON HIM.

YEAH, THAT GRASS'LL-- IT TAKES THE FIGHT OUT OF 'EM.

YEAH.

KINDA LIKE PUTTING A BLANKET OVER THEIR EYES SO THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING TO FIGHT.

GOOD JOB.

PRETTY LITTLE FISH.

THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE TOP WATER.

SEE IT, FEEL IT, HEAR IT.

(Tom) THEY TALK LIKE IT'S BEST WITH THESE SKITTER POPS, HULA POPPER-TYPE BAITS TO POP IT AND LET ALL THOSE RINGS DISAPPEAR BEFORE-- OH, YEAH.

OH, YEAH.

A LITTLE BETTER FISH.

NICE.

NICE.

HE JUST JUMPED RIGHT ON IT.

SURE DID.

NOT FAR FROM THE BOAT.

GOOD JOB, JOEY.

NICE, NICE, NICE.

(Tom) GOOD JOB.

VERY NICE.

TELL YOU WHAT, HE HIT LIKE HE WAS 8 POUNDS.

WE'LL JUST TELL EVERYONE HE WAS.

YEAH.

BIG MOUTH ON HIM.

YEAH.

THIS POND IS LOADED WITH FISH.

YEAH.

IT'S A GOOD POND.

IT IS A GOOD POND, MOST OF THE TIME.

JUST LIKE ANY OTHER.

WE'VE HAD BAD DAYS OUT HERE FOR SURE.

BUT MOST OF THE TIME, IT'S PRETTY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT, JOEY, I'M CRYING UNCLE.

[Joe chuckles] WELL, YOU GIVE ME THE FRONT OF THE BOAT.

THAT WAS MIGHTY NICE OF YOU.

BUT THEY DO SEEM TO LIKE THAT BUZZBAIT BETTER.

THEY DO, AND WE'RE REALLY GONNA SEE IF IT'S COLOR.

'CAUSE I'M GONNA TIE ON ONE A LITTLE DIFFERENT COLOR.

BUT I JUST, UH, I'M NOT TOO PROUD.

YOU KNOW?

SKITTER POP'S A GOOD BAIT AND ALL THESE HULA POPPER-TYPE, JITTERBUG-TYPE STUFF.

BUT THAT LITTLE THING RIGHT THERE-- YOUR FISHING HAS GOT ME REACHING FOR ONE.

THE FISH'LL TELL YOU WHAT THEY WANT.

YEP.

YOU JUST GOTTA LISTEN.

YEP.

NOW THERE HE GOES.

AIRBORNE.

NOW YOU CAN TELL.

NOW I CAN TELL.

YEAH.

I LIKE TO SEE 'EM-- LO OK AT THAT THING.

PRETTY, PRETTY.

SEEMS LIKE MAYBE THERE'S NOT AS MUCH GRASS HERE FOR 'EM TO GET WRAPPED UP IN, SO... YEAH, THE BACKSIDE OF THOSE PADS.

YEAH.

THAT IS A STRONG LITTLE FELLOW.

YES, SIR.

LITTLE FATTER.

YEAH.

YEAH, THAT'S A BETTER FISH.

LITTLE FATTER.

WONDER IF I CAN DO THAT.

BET YOU CAN.

BET YOU WILL.

[chuckles] OH, DON'T BUST ME OFF.

COME ON, THAT LITTLE MINNOW.

I THOUGHT HE HAD A LITTLE MINNOW.

NO, THIS IS A LITTLE BETTER FISH HERE, JOE.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

NEED SOME HELP WITH HIM?

I THINK I GOT HIM.

THAT'S A NICE, NICE, UH, KIND OF INDICATIVE OF THE DAY.

YOU GET ONE ON A ZARA SPOOK, ONE ON A BUZZBAIT.

HERE HE IS.

THAT WAS THE FIRST ONE ON A ZARA SPOOK, JOEY.

KIND OF A TRADITIONAL-- LOOK AT ALL THE MINNOWS RIGHT HERE--LOOK AT THAT.

YEAH.

WHOLE SCHOOL OF BAIT.

TRADITIONALLY, I THINK, IT'S MORE OF A SALTWATER, ZARA SPOOK IS, BUT IT WORKS WELL ON THE BASS.

PROVIDED YOU'RE THROWING 'EM WHERE BASS ARE.

YEAH, AND A LARGER FISH, A LOT OF TIMES, WILL HIT THAT WAY.

YOU DIDN'T REALIZE HE-- DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GONE.

I WAS LOOKING FOR IT TO SEE IF I NEEDED TO TWITCH IT OR NOT, AND IT WAS GONE.

IT ALREADY TWITCHED.

HE TWITCHED HIS TWITCH.

YEAH.

TOM, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE 90 DEGREES TODAY?

MAYBE MID-90s?

YEAH, I TELL YOU, RIGHT HERE AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY.

MAY 1, I GUESS, ISN'T IT?

FIRST DAY OF MAY, YEAH.

YEAH.

SURE FEELS GOOD NOW.

SAID WE MIGHT SET A RECORD TODAY.

RIGHT.

IT MAY FEEL LIKE MIDSUMMER THIS AFTERNOON, BUT IT SURE FEELS LIKE A GOOD SPRING DAY RIGHT NOW, DOESN'T IT?

JUST BEAUTIFUL.

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

YEAH...THAT--THAT FLOATER...

I COULD GET THAT IN THERE BETTER.

YEP, PUT IT RIGHT WHERE WE KNOW THEY ARE.

GOOD JOB, JOEY.

AND YOU GOT... NICE.

WIND'S BLOWING IN THIS CORNER TOO.

JUST PUSHING SOME BAIT IN HERE, PROBABLY.

YOU NOTICED EARLIER, SAW THAT BIG SCHOOL OF MINNOWS OUT THERE.

YOU'D JUST FINISHED SAYING THAT.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT YOU WERE ABLE TO THROW IT IN THERE WHERE THERE'S NO QUESTION THE FISH ARE.

I COULD NEVER PUT THAT BUZZBAIT BACK THERE WHERE THAT FISH WAS.

AND THE SUN'S GETTING UP, AND THE FISH ARE JUST GONNA GET IN THE SHADE.

(Tom) LOOKING FOR A LITTLE UMBRELLA.

NICE.

HE WAS TWICE THAT BIG WHEN HE HIT.

VERY NICE.

THEY'RE LOSIN' WEIGHT FAST ON THE WAY IN TO THE BOAT.

NOW, HE JUST-- YOU STILL GOT IT?

YEAH.

I THROW RIGHT TO LEFT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT HE WAS A BETTER FISH.

I CAN'T SEE HIM.

LITTLE BIT, BUT... YEAH, THAT'S A NICE, THICK FISH.

AH, NICER.

HE JUST SUCKED THAT THING RIGHT UNDER AND NEVER HARDLY RIPPLED THE TOP OF THE WATER.

A LOT OF TIMES BIGGER FISH'LL HIT THAT WAY.

IS THAT ABOUT THE SECOND OR THIRD STRIKE YOU HAD?

YEAH.

HE FOUND IT AND SAID, WELL, I WILL EAT THAT THING.

NICE.

WELL, HOW MANY OF THOSE HAVE WE CAUGHT TODAY?

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF 'EM.

WHERE IS YOUR MAMA?

I THOUGHT THAT WAS HER.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING, TOO, THAT'S TRUE ABOUT IT, JOEY, IS THIS, UM... WITH THE SMALLER FISH, IF THAT'S KINDA WHAT YOU GET LOCKED IN ON, THAT'S ANOTHER REASON FOR THE TOP WATER.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE CATCHING A SMALL FISH ONE AFTER ANOTHER SUBSURFACE, IT'S FUN.

BUT--I DON'T KNOW.

TOP WATER EVEN MAKES THE SMALL ONES TEN TONS OF FUN.

YEAH.

IT'S THE EXCITEMENT OF SEEIN' THAT WATER BUST.

THAT'S FISH.

DID A LITTLE BIT BETTER TILL HE GET ME ON THOSE PADS, THOUGH.

YEAH, MAYBE...

HE'S COMIN' OUT NOW.

YEAH, NICER FISH, JOEY.

YEAH, THAT'S A BETTER FISH.

COME ON, SHAKE A LITTLE BIT, OLD GIRL.

NICE ONE.

THAT THING RIGHT THE POINT, JOEY?

YEAH, RIGHT ON THE POINT.

I MEAN, THE FISH WAS EXACTLY WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.

THAT IS JUST GORGEOUS.

JUST A SHADED PAD RIGHT THERE, AND IN THE SHADE LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT.

THAT FISH HAS BEEN CAUGHT BEFORE.

GOT A HOLE IN HIS MOUTH RIGHT THERE.

CATCH AND RELEASE.

NICE AND DARK.

I LOVE 'EM--PRETTY LIKE THAT.

PRETTY FISH.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

THAT FISH IS SOLID.

YEAH, THAT FISH ON TOP WATER IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT RIGHT THERE.

GOOD, HEALTHY FISH RIGHT THERE.

YEP.

LET'S DO THAT AGAIN.

GOOD JOB.

(Tom) ENJOY IT WITH THIS WIND.

LITTLE BIT OF WIND OUT HERE.

IT'S GOT A CHOP ON THE WATER.

YOU'D THINK THAT WITH A TOP WATER BAIT LIKE THIS MAKING ALL THIS RUCKUS IS GOOD, BAD, UGLY.

I REALLY LIKE THAT LITTLE CHOP ON THE WATER, TOM.

IT CHANGES THE SOUND OF THE BAIT.

IT'S NOT A CONSISTENT--IT JUST MIXES IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

AND EVEN IF THE WIND'S NOT BLOWING, IF IT'S FLAT CALM, I'LL CHANGE IT UP.

I'LL VARY MY RETRIEVAL A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WHEN THE WIND'S BLOWING, YOU CAN JUST PRETTY WELL CAST AND RETRIEVE, AND THE WIND DOES THE WORK FOR YOU.

WHAT YOU GOT THAT ONE ON?

THIS IS A BLACK BUZZBAIT.

OH, COME BACK THIS WAY, BOY.

[chuckling] HE'S GOING JUST WHEREVER HE WANTS TO.

THERE WE ARE.

TOOK A COUPLE SHOTS AT IT AND MISSED IT, AND CAME BACK AND GOT IT.

IT SLOWED THE RETRIEVE A LITTLE BIT.

WHOA, MAN.

TALK ABOUT BARELY HOOKED.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

I CAN'T EVEN COUNT HIM AS A CAUGHT FISH, HE WAS SO LIGHTLY HOOKED.

LOOK LIKE YOU CAUGHT HIM TO ME.

KNOCKED MY BAIT ALL OUTTA WHACK.

(Joe) WELL, HOW MANY TIMES DID WE THROW IN THERE AND NOT GET A STRIKE?

I THINK YOU FINALLY MADE HIM MAD.

YEAH, I GUESS.

HE FINALLY SAID ENOUGH'S ENOUGH.

I'M NOT HUNGRY, BUT I'M BITIN'.

YEAH.

GET THAT FUSS OUTTA HERE.

GET HIM OUTTA HERE.

YEP.

POUND OR SO.

YEP.

WE HAVE CAUGHT A WORLD OF THOSE TODAY.

YEAH.

ANSWER'S YES, HE DOES, BUT HE PROBABLY ISN'T.

YEAH.

THAT'S A BETTER FISH.

LITTLE BETTER.

LET ME GET THIS ROD OUTTA YOUR WAY THERE.

YEAH.

THAT'S A NICE FISH.

A LITTLE BIT BIGGER MOUTH ON HIM.

LITTLE TURTLE AUDIENCE OVER WATCHIN' THINGS.

OH, YEAH?

I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIGGER, JOEY.

YEAH, HE'S SOLID.

NI CE, SOLID FISH.

NICE, SOLID FISH.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WON'T THROW TH ESE BUZZBAITS UP TODAY.

HERE IT IS, ALMOST LUNCHTIME.

AND WHEN THE SUN GETS UP, PEOPLE PUT 'EM UP AN D GO DEEPER.

BUT THAT'LL PROVE TO YOU-- KEEP THROWIN'.

THE FISH WILL HIT 'EM.

I AGREE, AND, YOU KNOW, THE THING IS, TOO, PEOPLE THINK THAT YOU'VE GOT TO THROW THESE TOP WATER BAITS WHEN THERE'S ONLY... YOU KNOW, JUST THE VERY FIRST OF THE MORNING OR THE LATE EVENING.

BUT IF YOU'RE WORKING IN ONLY ABOUT 4 OR 5 FEET OF WATER, THEY'LL COME UP AND HIT IT FROM THAT FAR DOWN.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE 2 INCHES BELOW IT, YOU KNOW.

WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS POND'S FILLED WITH GRASS.

SO THEY'RE JUST BURIED IN THAT GRASS, AND THEY COULD BE ANYWHERE.

AH.

I BELIEVE THIS IS, JOEY, WITHOUT QUESTION... MAKING SOME GOOD WAKE OV ER THERE.

UNLESS HE'S GOT A TON OF GRASS ON HIM, THIS IS A LITTLE BETTER FISH.

OH, YEAH.

YEP, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGER ONES.

WELL, THAT'S A NICE FISH, TOM.

NICE FISH.

LET ME GET THE GRASS OFF HER SO WE CAN SEE HER GOOD.

SHE WASN'T EVEN STUCK OR ANYTHING.

SHE WAS JUST OUT IN THE MIDDLE THERE, JUST BURIED IN THAT GRASS.

I WASN'T SURE WHAT I HAD.

I SAW A LOT OF GRASS, SO I WASN'T REALLY SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

BUT THE WAY SHE WAS FIGHTING, I KNEW IT HAD A LITTLE SIZE TO IT.

LOTTA GRASS AND A LOTTA BASS.

A LOTTA GRASS ON THE BASS.

YEAH.

THAT'S A PRETTY FISH THERE.

PRETTY, PRETTY, PRETTY.

I'M GONNA EASE HER BACK IN.

YEAH, SHE'S MAYBE LAID OUT, BUT SHE'S STILL GOT SOME...

I WAS LOOKIN' AT THAT.

YEAH, I EXPECT SO.

GORGEOUS FISH.

STARTIN' TO FORAGE UP A LITTLE BIT.

GETTING OVER TO SPAWN.

WE'LL TAKE HER.

YEAH, THAT'S A NICE FISH THERE.

WE'LL TAKE HER.

VERY GOOD.

YEAH, GOOD DEAL.

VERY GOOD.

THERE SHE GOES.

THAT'S WHAT WE COME FOR.

YEAH, LOOK AT THIS GRASS ON HERE, JOEY.

YEAH.

SHE WAS JUST BURIED IN IT.

BURIED IN THE GRASS.

AND YOU FEEL THE GRASS, JUST COOL AS IT CAN BE.

HOT AS IT IS OUT HERE, THAT GRASS IS JUST COOL AS IT CAME OUT OF A COOLER.

JOE, THAT WAS A GOOD DAY OF FISHING.

AND IT'S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE WAYS OF FISHING.

ABSOLUTELY.

CATCHING A LARGEMOUTH BASS ON A TOP WATER BAIT, ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALL-TIME FAVORITES.

AND TO THROW THAT BAIT UP THERE AND HAVE A FISH HIT IT AND KNOCK IT OUT OF THE WATER LIKE WE HAD SEVERAL TIMES IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

THE PLACE WE WERE FISHING WITH THE SAND PITS-- THESE ARE OLD SAND PITS, A SERIES OF 'EM, THAT ARE CONNECTED AND JUST HAD A LOT OF VEGETATION.

SO JUST ABOUT EVERY PLACE THAT YOU MADE A CAST, YOU FELT LIKE YOU HAD A GOOD CHANCE AT FISHING.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WE DID, SO JUST HAD A GREAT DAY.

WELL, LET'S FIND OUT MORE.

LET'S GO TO "GEAR TIME."

[light instrumental theme] ♪ ♪ WELL, TOM, I HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME.

SO DID I. LOTTA FUN.

THAT POND FISHING IS, YOU KNOW, IT'S OVERLOOKED.

WE FISH LAKES AND RIVERS, AND WE'RE ALL ON THE BIG BASS BOATS AND BIG TIME.

BUT THIS IS ACCESSIBLE.

ANYBODY CAN DO IT.

TAKE A KID.

TAKE YOUR WIFE.

TAKE FAMILY.

IT'S JUST A RELAXING DAY.

OH, IT REALLY IS.

AND GETTING PEOPLE-- REPETITION-- BEING ABLE TO CATCH A LOTTA FISH ON THE GO IS IMPORTANT TO A KID GETTING INTO FISHING.

OR IF YOU WANT YOUR WIFE TO GO WITH YOU OCCASIONALLY AND MAKE IT FUN FOR 'EM, YOU BETTER HAVE SOME ACTION.

AND THE PLACE TO FIND ACTION IS IN THESE FARM PONDS.

YEAH, JUST A LOTTA FISH, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE HIGH-TECH EQUIPMENT, BIG BASS BOATS WITH DEPTH FINDERS.

WE USE SPINNIN' RODS.

WE USE BAIT CASTIN' REELS.

YOU KNOW, JUST ANYTHING, REALLY, WOULD WORK.

YEAH.

I THINK SO TOO.

I HAD STARTED OUT WITH THIS SKITTER POP.

IT'S A TOTAL TOP WATER LURE.

DID REAL GOOD WITH IT.

BUT YOU WERE DOING EVEN BETTER WITH YOUR BUZZBAIT, SO I SWITCHED OVER.

BUT I REALLY DON'T THINK MUCH WOULD HAVE DONE US WRONG TODAY.

I MEAN, THE SMALLER FISH WERE REAL AGGRESSIVE.

WE CAUGHT A FEW BIG ONES, BUT, UM... THAT SKITTER POP.

THEN WE HAVE THE ZARA SPOOK.

SAME KINDA TOP WATER.

SOMEWHAT MORE OF A TRADITIONAL SALTWATER LURE, BUT YOU CAN USE IT FOR THE BASS TOO, JUST TO GO WITH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

MOST ANYTHING, WHEN THE BASS ARE FEEDING, THEY'RE GONNA HIT IT.

YEAH.

YEAH.

IT SEEMED LIKE WE HAD MORE ACTION ON THE BUZZBAIT AND THESE ARE A VARIETY OF SIZES, YOU KNOW, 1/4 OUNCE TO 1/2 OUNCE.

JUST, AGAIN, YOU CAN FISH IT OVER THE TOP OF THE GRASS, AND THE BASS WILL CHASE IT.

AND ANYBODY CAN WORK THAT.

IT TAKES, YOU KNOW, HARDLY ANY TALENT TO CATCH FISH ON THAT.

WELL, AND FAIRLY WEEDLESS.

FOR SUCH A BIG HOOK TO BE DRAGGING BEHIND IT, YOU'D THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE MORE OF A PROBLEM GETTING IT CAUGHT UP IN THE LILY PADS OR WHATEVER, BUT YOU CAN BOUNCE IT ON THROUGH THERE.

I DON'T THINK WE LOST ONE OF THOSE TODAY.

LATER IN THE DAY WHEN THE FISH GOT IN THE PADS MORE, I WENT TO A FLOAT WORM, WHICH YOU CAN WORK ON TOP, RIGHT ACROSS THE TOP OF THE GRASS.

AGAIN, VERY WEEDLESS.

AND YOU CAUGHT FISH ON THAT IN THE LILY PADS AND THE OPEN WATER, SO REAL VERSATILE.

IT IS A REAL VERSATILE LURE.

WELL, I HAD A GOOD TIME.

I DID TOO.

I HAD A BLAST.

I APPRECIATE Y'ALL HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.

LOTTA FUN.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANKS, GUYS, FOR THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH A RECIPE FOR A SPICY SEAFOOD SALAD.

HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING A SPICY SEAFOOD SALAD.

IT'S A GREAT DISH, AND WE'RE GONNA BE SERVING OURS IN A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT WAY THAN JUST SIMPLY ON A PLATE OR IN A BOWL.

WE'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING OURS IN SOME DIFFERENT TYPES OF CUPS.

IT'S GONNA BE GREAT FUN.

WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS START OUT WITH OUR SEAFOOD.

AND WE'RE GONNA PUT SCALLOPS THAT I'VE QUARTERED AND ALSO SHRIMP, SMALL SHRIMP, IN OUR BAG.

AND IT HAS IN YOUR OVEN BREADER, AND THEN IT ALSO HAS SOME SPICY AND HOT BREADER.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA SHAKE THAT ALL TOGETHER TO GIVE IT A GOOD COATING.

WE DON'T WANT TO OVERCOAT IT, BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IT IS COVERED WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PLACE IT OUT HERE ON OUR FOIL-LINED BAKING SHEET.

WE'RE GONNA BAKE THIS AT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, JUST UNTIL YOUR SEAFOOD IS COOKED THOROUGHLY.

IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN ALSO ADD IN CLAMS WITH THIS.

YOU CAN ALSO ADD IN OYSTERS, WHATEVER SEAFOOD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE AND YOU LIKE.

YOU CAN ALSO CUT UP SMALL PIECES OF FISH IF YOU WANT TO, WHICH WILL BE A GREAT VARIETY IN YOUR SALADS.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT.

WE'RE GONNA SET THIS ASIDE, 'CAUSE THIS IS GONNA BE IN THE OVEN COOKING.

AND WHILE THAT IS COOKING, WE'RE GONNA PREPARE OUR SALAD CUPS.

SO WHAT I'VE CHOSEN IS I HAVE JUST LIKE A LUCITE PLASTIC ALMOST LIKE A WINE GLASS OR A GOBLET.

AND THEN I ALSO HAVE SOME GREAT PAPER CUPS WHICH ARE SO FUN, AND THEY'RE SO COLORFUL.

YOU CAN FIND THEM AT THE GROCERY STORE.

YOU CAN FIND THEM AT PARTY STORES.

AND THEY'RE JUST A FUN WAY TO SERVE YOUR SALAD.

AND THEN YOU HAVE NO CLEANUP IF YOU USE THE PAPER, WHICH IS NICE AS WELL.

'CAUSE WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A PARTY, YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEND YOUR TIME CLEANING UP.

YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR TIME ENJOYING YOUR GUESTS.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GATHER UP OUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF LETTUCES.

AND THESE CAME OUT OF MY CHILDREN AND MY HUSBAND'S GARDEN.

I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT EXCEPT FOR HARVESTING AND MAKING STUFF WITH THEIR LETTUCE.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THAT INTO OUR CUPS.

YOU CAN JUST STUFF IT DOWN IN THERE.

KINDA LIKE MAKING A FLOWER ARRANGEMENT.

THIS IS SOME OF MY FAVORITE, 'CAUSE IT STANDS UP NICE.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO PUT IT IN OUR CUPS.

YOU CAN ALSO USE YOUR GOBLETS IF YOU WANT.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TOP IT WITH SOME FUN THINGS.

AND YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST HAVE YOUR CUPS OUT LIKE THIS AND THEN HAVE ALL YOUR TOPPINGS.

'CAUSE SOME PEOPLE LIKE DIFFERENT THINGS THAN OTHERS ON THEIR SALADS.

BUT I MADE SOME-- JUST SOME LITTLE, UH, CARROT SHAVINGS HERE YOU CAN JUST KINDA STUFF IN.

THEN YOU JUST TAKE YOUR CARROT TO MAKE 'EM AND YOU JUST PULL...

YOUR PEELER ALONG, AND YOU MAKE THESE GREAT, REALLY THIN LITTLE CARROT SHAVINGS.

SO IT'S JUST KINDA LIKE MAKING A FLOWER ARRANGEMENT.

YOU JUST KINDA USE WHAT YOU HAVE.

I HAVE SOME CUCUMBERS THAT I DID THE SAME THING WITH, WITH MY PEELER.

OR, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE SHAVINGS, I FOUND THESE GREAT BABY CARROTS AT THE STORE, WHICH I THOUGHT WERE ADORABLE AND WOULD BE GREAT IN YOUR SALAD AS WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PUT IN SOME CHERRY TOMATOES.

AND THEN I HAVE SOME OF MY SEAFOOD THAT'S ALREADY PREPARED.

THIS IS SPICY SHRIMP.

AND SOME SPICY SCALLOPS.

AND THEN YOU CAN TOP THIS WITH SOME BLUE CHEESE DRESSING, IF YOU LIKE.

OR IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE SPICY, YOU WANT TO MIX IT UP A LITTLE BIT, YOU CAN USE THE LEMON PEPPER BUTTER AND HAVE A LITTLE CITRUS DRESSING TO GO WITH IT AS WELL.

SO LET'S MOVE OVER HERE, AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT I CAME UP WITH.

I USED MY LITTLE GOBLET, WHICH'LL BE FUN FOR AN OUTDOOR PARTY, TOO, 'CAUSE YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BREAKAGE.

OR IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GO SIMPLE AND COLORFUL, YOU CAN DO THE PAPER CUP.

OR IF YOU WANNA DO A LITTLE BIT MORE ELEGANT, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THEM ALL SET UP AND PEOPLE CAN JUST COME BY AND PICK THEM UP, YOU CAN USE LIKE A MARTINI GLASS, WHICH IS ALWAYS FUN TOO.

THEN I HAVE SOME HUSH PUPPIES HERE ON THE SIDE.

INSTEAD OF USING CRACKERS OR BREAD, YOU CAN USE SOME GREAT HUSH PUPPIES.

TOP IT WITH SOME DRESSING, AND YOU'RE READY TO GO.

IT MAKES A NICE, UNUSUAL WAY TO PRESENT YOUR SALAD.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SPICY SEAFOOD SALAD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON "SIMPLE COOKING."

THANK YOU, DONNA.

THAT'S A RECIPE WE'VE ALL GOT TO TRY REAL SOON.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO FISH LIKE THIS?

WELL, FOR ME, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SPRING-- HOW FAST THE WATER WARMS UP IN THE SPRING.

BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE LATTER PART OF APRIL, MONTH OF MAY IS REALLY GOOD.

AND EARLY JUNE, RIGHT BEFORE THE WATER TEMPERATURE WARMS UP TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO START FISHING EARLY IN THE MORNING OR LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE FISHED A GOOD PART OF THE DAY THAT DAY.

THAT WAS IN EARLY MAY.

BUT TO ME, TOP WATER FISHING-- WHEN YOU CAN GO AND THROW AN ARTIFICIAL LURE AT A WILD FISH AND ELICIT THAT KIND OF RESPONSE-- I MEAN, I'VE HAD 'EM HIT STICK BAITS AND JUST ABSOLUTELY TEAR UP THE BAIT-- TO ME, IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.

AND LARGEMOUTH BASS IS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STATE, AND IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT, GIVE IT A TRY.

SOMETHING NEW TO TRY PRETTY SOON.

ABSOLUTELY.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

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

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

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