[PIANO INTRO] - ALL RIGHT.

HE'S A FIGHTER.

- YOU AREN'T KIDDING.

WELL, IT'S A BIG SHAPE.

- HE'S A BIG ONE.

BLUE!

ARKANSAS BLUE.

HALLELUJAH.

FINALLY GOT A BLUE ON.

- I HAD A FEELING THE WAY HE WAS PULLING... GOOD BLUE.

- [groans] LOOK AT THAT SPLASH.

- YEAH, LOOK AT HIM GETTING TANGLED UP IN THIS OTHER LINE.

- GOT YOU TANGLED?

- HE TANGLED IT.

PULL IT.

HOLD ON, LET ME GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT.

I GOT HIM THAT TIME.

- MAN, I KNEW HE HAD TO BE BIGGER.

- ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET HIM IN HERE.

- WOWEE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THAT'S CERTAINLY A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN OUR CHANNELS.

- [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, IF YOU LIKE CATFISHING, YOU'RE GONNA LIKE TODAY'S SHOW.

JOE, WE'RE GOING TROLLING FOR CATFISH.

- THAT'S RIGHT, JOHN.

WE'RE GONNA DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY AT LEAST DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I NORMALLY THINK ABOUT CATFISHING WHERE YOU-- YOU KNOW, IT'S PRETTY STATIONARY AND THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO IT.

BUT THIS TROLLING, THIS IS MOVING AROUND THE LAKE.

WE'RE GONNA BE ON LAKE WYLIE TODAY TARGETING CHANNEL CATFISH AND BLUE CATFISH.

TROLLING-- MOVING IN DIFFERENT AREAS THAT THEY INHABIT-- AND IT'S REALLY INTERESTING, SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION IF YOU WANT TO START CATFISHING.

- GONNA BE SOME GOOD INFORMATION TODAY IN GEAR TIME ALSO.

- RIGHT, THEY'LL SHARE WITH US PARTICULARLY THE WAY JERRY LIKES TO RIG UP.

WE'RE FISHING WITH JERRY NEELEY, WHO IS WELL-KNOWN IN THE TRIAD FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FISHING: CRAPPIE, BASS, STRIPED BASS, AND CATFISH TOO, AND SO DURING YOUR TIME, HE'LL EXPLAIN THAT.

- AND OUR RECIPE TODAY: CATFISH.

- FRIED CATFISH RECIPE FROM DONNA TODAY.

TIES RIGHT INTO WHAT WE'RE DOING ON THE WATER.

- ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO FISHING ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- WELL, JERRY, WE'VE STOPPED AT OUR FIRST SPOT AND YOU'VE CHOSEN A LONG CREEK WITH A BIG "S" TURN IN IT, AND WE HAVE THE ROD-- YOU KNOW, RIGGED AND READY TO GO HERE, SO WE'RE GONNA ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

RATHER THAN BOTTOM FISHING, WE'RE GONNA DO A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A TROLLING TECHNIQUE TODAY.

- WELL, I USUALLY TROLL FOR THE CATFISH AND WHAT I'D NORMALLY DO IS, I WILL GO AHEAD AND USE CUT BREAM AND PUT OUT ABOUT FIVE RODS ABOUT 60, 80 FEET BEHIND THE BOAT AND JUST LET IT GO AT THAT AND THE FISH WILL HIT IT, AND THEY'LL SLAM THE ROD DOWN WHEN YOU GO AHEAD AND FIGHT THE FISH BACK TO THE BOAT.

BUT THE "S"s IN THE CREEKS AND IN THE LAKES ITSELF IS A GOOD PLACE TO START BECAUSE, LIKE A TRAP IN YOUR SINK, THAT LITTLE "S" AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE-- WHEN THE WATER IS HIGH OR WHEN IT RAINS A LOT, WHY, IT PUSHES THE BAIT IN THAT LITTLE TRAP AND THOSE CATFISH, THEY'RE RUNNING BACK IN BEHIND THAT TRAP AND THEY'LL FEED BACK IN THOSE AREAS.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TARGETING TODAY, THIS LITTLE "S"-- THIS CREEK RIGHT HERE.

- RIGHT, AND SINCE IT'S EARLY IN THE MORNING, WE'RE GONNA START A LITTLE BIT SHALLOW.

WE'RE IN ABOUT 10, 15 FOOT OF WATER TO START THE DAY?

- YEAH, WELL, I ALWAYS LIKE TO START SHALLOW BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE FISH MOVE AT NIGHT-- TO HAVE THEM MOVE IN THE SHALLOWS AND THEY'LL FEED.

AND SO EARLY IN MORNING, I START SHALLOW AND GO DEEP.

EXCEPT TODAY, I USUALLY START IN THE CHANNEL ITSELF-- 40 FOOT, 30 FOOT-- AND JUST STAY IN THAT AREA UP IN THE DAY.

- OKAY.

OKAY.

WELL, LET'S PUT THEM OUT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN GET STARTED WITH.

- ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET STARTED.

- GOT IT!

- ALL RIGHT!

- IT FEELS LIKE A GOOD ONE THERE.

- LET'S GET HIM IN.

- WELL, IT SEEMED LIKE THIS CREEK IS HOLDING FISH.

NOW, WE MISSED A COUPLE.

- WELL, WE GET WHAT WE CAN GET.

- WELL, YOU MENTIONED I MIGHT HAVE BEEN PUMPING ON THAT FISH A LITTLE BIT TOO HARD LAST TIME.

PULLED IT RIGHT OUT OF ITS MOUTH.

SO MORE OF A STEADY WIND?

- YEAH.

HE AIN'T VERY, VERY BIG, BUT HE'S A FISH.

- AT LEAST WE'RE IN THE RIGHT SPOT, RIGHT THROUGH THAT FUNNEL WHERE YOU CALLED IT.

- YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT, HE'S COMING IN.

SLOW AND STEADY.

- LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.

OH, HE'S A LITTLE CHANNEL.

NOT VERY BIG, BUT HE'LL WORK.

- ALL RIGHT.

- ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, MY FRIEND.

- TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE GOT.

SO, JERRY, WE FINALLY GOT ONE IN THE BOAT.

THAT STEADY RETRIEVE CERTAINLY PROVIDED THAT HOOK-SET A LITTLE BIT BETTER SO WE COULD LAND HIM.

SO THAT IS INDEED A CHANNEL CAT, CORRECT?

- THAT IS A CHANNEL CATFISH.

A NICE ONE.

- YEAH.

- AND I ALWAYS HANDLE THEM-- YOU ASKED ABOUT HANDLING THEM.

I ALWAYS JUST PUT MY HAND UNDER THEM LIKE THIS OR LIKE I GOT HIS FIN HERE.

PRESS DOWN WHERE HE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, FIN YOU.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GET FINNED ON 'CAUSE IT'S AGGRAVATING IF YOU DO.

AND THEY CAN CUT YOU A LITTLE BIT.

AND SO I'M GONNA RELEASE THIS BAD BOY, BUT WE GOT THE FIRST ONE.

- FIRST ONE IN.

- AND ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD.

- LET'S GET ANOTHER ONE.

- OH, YEAH.

FEELS GOOD.

FEELS REAL GOOD.

- [grunts] - IT WENT RIGHT THROUGH THAT-- RIGHT THROUGH THAT FUNNEL.

- KEEP YOUR ROD UP.

- ROD UP.

- THERE YOU GO.

- LIKE I SAID, WE SAW THAT BAIT WENT-- - FISH ON.

FISH ON.

- OH, WE GOT A DOUBLE.

- AH, HE COME OFF.

WELL, DANG IT.

- [grunts] THIS ONE CERTAINLY FEELS A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THE LAST ONE.

- STAYING DOWN PRETTY GOOD.

- YEAH.

IT FEELS-- LIKE I SAID...

COMPARED TO THOSE OTHER FEW WE HAD ON.

- [sighs] - ALL RIGHT.

- I COULD PULL HIM IN.

- ALL RIGHT, QUIT PLAYING WITH HIM.

LET'S LEAD HIM ON THE BOAT NOW.

HE'S NICE.

PRETTY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT.

- ALL RIGHT.

HE'S A LITTLE BETTER, I'D SAY.

- A LITTLE BIT BETTER, YEAH.

- A GOOD PAIR OF PLIERS IS DEFINITELY A NECESSITY WITH THESE BABIES.

- ALL RIGHT, THAT'S A GOOD FISH.

PRETTY GOOD ONE.

ALL RIGHT, WE'LL PUT HIM BACK AND LET HIM GROW UP A LITTLE BIT.

- WELL, JERRY, LOOKING AT THE ELECTRONICS.

OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN SEE THERE'S JUST A HUGE PILE OF BAIT AS WE GO THROUGH THAT FUNNEL IN THIS CREEK MOUTH.

NOW, HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS SETUP HERE WITH THE ELECTRONICS?

- OKAY, THE BAIT IS THE KEY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND THESE CATFISH, YOU NEED TO FIND THE BAIT FIRST BECAUSE THE CATFISH LAYS UP UNDER THE BAIT, AND SO ONCE I FIND THESE BAIT FISH, I ALWAYS MAKE A WAYPOINT ON MY SCREEN LIKE YOU SEE RIGHT HERE WITH THIS ONE, OR I WILL JUST GO AHEAD AND JUST GET IT IN MY HEAD OR MAP WHERE IT'S OUT.

I'LL MAKE ME A LITTLE PLACE ON THE BANK OVER HERE.

I'LL SAY, "WELL, THESE PINE TREES RIGHT HERE WHERE I SAW THESE FISH," IF I DON'T HAVE THE ELECTRONICS LIKE I GOT, YOU MAKE YOUR LITTLE WAYPOINT ON THE BANK, AND IT WORKS REAL WELL.

- SO IT OBVIOUSLY GIVES YOU A NICE TROLLING PATTERN TO GO BY THEN YEAR AFTER YEAR, AND IT'S-- AS YOU SAID, THIS IS A MONTH-TO-MONTH THING EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH.

- EXACTLY, AND YOU CAN DO THIS YEAR-ROUND AND OF COURSE, THE COLDER MONTHS, USUALLY, YOU CATCHING BIGGER FISH MOST OF THE TIME, ESPECIALLY IN THE LATE FALL, EARLY WINTER.

- YEAH, EXCELLENT.

MAN, THAT HIT WAS TREMENDOUS.

- YEAH, THEY'RE GOOD HITS.

KEEP YOUR ROD UP.

RIGHT UP IN THE BACK.

KEEP THEM RODS UP.

- YEAH, THAT'S IMPORTANT.

KEEP THAT SLACK OUT SO THEY DON'T THROW IT.

- YUP.

- MAN, HE ABOUT-- THAT ROD TIP ABOUT HIT THE END OF THE WATER.

- THEY GOT A LOT OF FIGHT THIS MORNING.

- OH, THEY DO.

- THAT COOL WATER TEMPERATURE PUTTING IT ON.

- OH, YEAH, YOU CAN DEFINITELY FEEL THEM.

- YEAH, THEY GOT THAT FIGHT TODAY.

HE AIN'T VERY BIG I DON'T THINK, BUT HE GOT A LOT OF FIGHT.

HE'S A LITTLE GUY.

I'M NOT GONNA LIFT HIM.

I AIN'T EVEN GONNA PUT A NET ON HIM, I DON'T BELIEVE.

JUST LIFT HIM UP.

WE GONNA... JUST GET HIM LOOSE.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS HOOK OUT RIGHT HERE.

OH, I MIGHT NEED THOSE PLIERS AGAIN.

LET ME SEE THEM A WHILE.

- PLIERS AGAIN?

- MUST BE PLIERS DAY, I RECKON.

- FEISTY FISH THOUGH.

- OKAY, THERE YOU GO.

THERE'S A NICE CHANNEL.

- ANOTHER CHANNEL.

- OKAY.

NOW, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET ONE MORE IN HERE AND THEN WE GONNA GO TO ANOTHER PLACE.

SEE IF WE CAN PICK UP SOME LITTLE BIT BIGGER FISH.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - WELL, JERRY, WE'VE HAD A PRETTY GOOD MORNING.

WE WERE BACK IN SOME SHALLOWER WATER.

NOW WE'VE MOVED A LITTLE BIT IN DEEPER WATER AS THE DAY GETS A LITTLE BIT BEHIND US.

I'VE NOTICED THAT WE'VE CHANGED DEPTH A BIT.

WE WERE IN 10 TO 12.

NOW WE'RE IN 20, INCREASINGLY GETTING A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, SO WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT NOW?

- WELL, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO TARGET SOME OF THESE ARKANSAS BLUES THAT'S IN THE LAKE, AND THEY USUALLY STAY A LITTLE DEEPER.

IT DON'T MEAN YOU CAN'T CATCH THEM SHALLOW, BUT USUALLY THEY'RE IN ABOUT 20 TO 40 FOOT OF WATER AND WE TRYING TO SEE IF WE CAN PICK A COUPLE OF THEM UP.

AND IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE STILL CAN'T CATCH THE CHANNEL, 'CAUSE THE CHANNEL-- THEY STAY DEEP ALSO, SO...

BUT WE'RE IN THE CHANNEL, THIS CREEK RIGHT HERE, AND WE'RE TRYING-- AND THE WATER RIGHT NOW IS SHOWING 24 FOOT AND WITH BAIT SHOWING SO I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN PICK UP A... YOU KNOW, ARKANSAS BLUE OR TWO BEFORE WE GET DONE, BUT EARLY MORNING, SHALLOW.

AS THE DAY GROWS ON, YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO FISH A LITTLE DEEPER.

- AND ARE YOU ADJUSTING THE AMOUNT OF LINE OUT TO STAY IN THAT DEPTH WITH THE TROLLING SPEED, OR IS IT MORE TRIAL AND ERROR?

WHAT'S THE-- - NO.

WE KEEP THEM ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF DEPTH.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU SHALLOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO THROW THEM OUT FAR-- QUITE AS FAR, BUT WHEN YOU GET OUT A LITTLE DEEPER, NATURALLY YOU GOT TO LET A LITTLE BIT MORE LINE OUT.

KEEP IT ABOUT 60 FEET, 70 FEET BEHIND THE BOAT.

- ABOUT HALF A SPOOL OR SOMETHING?

- ABOUT HALF A SPOOL.

- OKAY.

DUDE... - COULD BE A BLUE MAYBE.

I DON'T KNOW.

- WE DROPPED OFF INTO THAT-- - KEEP THAT ROD UP IS ALL I CAN TELL YOU.

- I KNOW.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMIND ME OF THAT.

WE DROPPED OFF THAT EDGE THERE, RIGHT UNDER THAT BAIT, AND SURE ENOUGH... - YUP, WHEREVER THAT BAIT, THAT'S WHERE THEY WERE STACKED UP.

WENT RIGHT AT THE BAIT.

- WELL, THE DINNER TABLE BRINGS THEM IN.

- THAT'S IT.

WELL, YOU'VE GOT IT.

- WE GOT HIM.

- I DON'T THINK THIS IS A BLUE, BUT HE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANNEL, I THINK.

YUP.

- ANOTHER CHANNEL?

- YUP.

ALL RIGHT.

- NOT BAD THOUGH.

- ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A GOOD LITTLE CHANNEL.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE KIND OF OUTING FOR-- IT'S A GOOD THING FOR A FAMILY OUTING, FOR CHILDREN AND JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME TOGETHER, SITTING BACK AND CATCHING CATFISH.

IT'S JUST A GREAT, GREAT TIME FOR FAMILY TO COME OUT IF-- YOU KNOW, IF THEY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO FISH OR ENJOY TRYING TO CATCH A FISH.

IT'S A GOOD THING FOR A FAMILY TO DO, THIS KIND OF FISHING.

- EVEN THE SMALL ONES, I MEAN, THE WAY THEY BEND THAT ROD AND THE FIGHT THEY GIVE YOU, EVEN THE SMALLER ONES.

I MEAN, ANY KID WOULD LOVE THAT.

- RIGHT.

- I KNOW I'M LOVING IT.

- ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, WE'LL PUT HIM BACK IN.

ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO.

- PUT THIS ONE BACK OUT?

- YEAH, PUT IT BACK.

- THAT BAIT LASTS A WHILE, THAT'S FOR SURE.

- THAT WAS GREAT.

- THERE'S A GOOD HIT.

- ALL RIGHT.

HE'S FIGHTING PRETTY GOOD.

- YEAH, HE'S GOT A BEND.

- ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE.

- HE'S ABOUT 30 FEET RIGHT OFF THAT POINT.

RIGHT ALMOST EXACTLY.

- YUP.

HE FLAILING PRETTY GOOD.

HE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER FISH THAN WHAT WE BEEN CATCHING.

- FEELS LIKE IT.

HE'S CERTAINLY SHAKING HIS HEAD QUITE A BIT.

AH, MAYBE WE GOT OUR BLUE HERE.

- I DON'T KNOW.

WE'LL SEE WHEN YOU GET HIM IN.

- LIKE I SAID, WE'RE COMING ACROSS THAT POINT.

CERTAINLY FEELS BETTER.

- JUST KEEP THAT ROD UP.

- I GOT TO... - WE'LL GET HIM IN IN A MINUTE.

- I COULD SEE HOW A YOUNG KID WOULD HAVE QUITE THE KICK WINDING THESE BABIES IN.

- IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR WHEN YOU GET FIVE RODS OUT.

- I'D HAVE TO HOLD ON TO HIS BELT BUCKLE.

I THINK HE'S COMING UP.

SEE IF WE CAN GET A LOOK AT HIM.

MAN, HE'S PULLING.

- ALL RIGHT.

HE'S A FIGHTER.

- YOU AREN'T KIDDING.

- IT WAS A BIG SHAPE.

- HE'S A BIG ONE.

BLUE!

ARKANSAS BLUE.

HALLELUJAH.

FINALLY GOT A BLUE ON.

- I HAD A FEELING, THE WAY HE WAS PULLING.

- GOOD BLUE.

- [groans] LOOK AT THAT SPLASH.

- YEAH, LOOK AT HIM GETTING TANGLED UP IN THIS OTHER LINE.

- GOT YOU TANGLED?

- HE TANGLED IT.

PULL IT.

HOLD ON, LET ME GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT.

I GOT HIM THAT TIME.

- MAN, I KNEW HE HAD TO BE BIGGER.

- ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET HIM IN HERE.

- WOWEE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THAT'S CERTAINLY A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN OUR CHANNELS.

- ALL RIGHT, PAUL, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

- YEAH, I'LL SAY.

- ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

- I KNEW WHEN HE HIT IT, THAT WASN'T OUR SMALL CHANNEL.

- ALL RIGHT, THAT'S A BIG BLUE HERE ON LAKE WYLIE.

THAT A BIG BOY.

- UP RIGHT HERE.

LET ME GET A SHOT AT IT.

- ALL RIGHT.

HOW'S THAT?

GOOD FISH.

GOOD FISH.

- LET ME HOLD HIM.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOOD FISH.

- TAKE A PICTURE OF ME WITH THIS ONE.

YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THIS-- THE IPHONE.

YEAH.

I CAN GRAB HIM UNDERNEATH, RIGHT?

- YEAH.

I THINK-- PULL DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

DON'T WANT TO GET YOUR HEAD.

THERE YOU GO.

- HIT THE CAMERA BUTTON.

YOU GOT IT?

- GOT TWO OF THEM.

- OH, YEAH.

- ALL RIGHT, MAN.

- LET ME LET THIS BABY GO.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST CATFISH I'VE EVER CAUGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

- I BELIEVE THIS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BLUE.

- ALL RIGHT, JERRY, SHOW ME HOW IT'S DONE.

- I'M WORKING ON HIM SLOWLY BUT SURELY.

- FEEL LIKE A BLUE?

- YUP.

- THERE'S YOUR OTHER ROD GOING.

MIGHT GET A DOUBLE.

- OH, HE... - IS THAT JUST THE FISH BRINGING IN A... - YEAH.

- I THOUGHT MAYBE WE MISSED THAT OTHER DOUBLE.

- OH, SHAKING HIS HEAD.

- YEAH.

- GET HIM IN HERE IN A MINUTE.

NOW, WE'RE IN 35 FOOT OF WATER, SO HE'S DOWN THERE.

I AIN'T SURE IT'S A BLUE, BUT HE'S PRETTY STOUT ANYWAY.

JUST A LITTLE CHANNEL.

- CAUGHT THAT OTHER LINE.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS SEEING MAYBE.

YOU NEED TO NET HIM OR YOU GONNA LIFT HIM IN?

- I BELIEVE I CAN LIFT HIM.

OOH, YEAH.

- TAKES A LITTLE WHILE WHEN YOU'RE DOWN THAT DEEP.

- ALL RIGHT, THIS WAS A LITTLE CHANNEL.

IT WASN'T VERY BIG, BUT HE PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT IN THAT DEEP WATER AND HE HIT THE OLD CUT BAIT, AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE'LL CALL HIM A CHUCKLEHEAD 'CAUSE HE AIN'T FIVE POUNDS.

SO WE'LL JUST CALL HIM A LITTLE CHUCKLEHEAD 'CAUSE YOU LAUGH WHEN YOU GET ONE ABOUT THAT LITTLE.

- [laughs] - HOW'S THAT?

ALL RIGHT, WE GONNA PUT HIM BACK.

GET THIS MESS UNTANGLED RIGHT HERE AND WE'LL START FISHING AGAIN.

- JOE, THAT WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WAY OF CATFISHING.

- WELL, IT IS.

I MEAN, I'VE NEVER... WE CERTAINLY HAVEN'T COVERED IT HERE ON THE SHOW AND I'VE NEVER DONE IT EITHER, BUT VERY EFFECTIVE AND JERRY WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT WE DIDN'T CATCH MORE BLUES THAT DAY.

HE WAS REALLY-- HAD SEVERAL AREAS OF LAKE WYLIE THAT HE FISHES A LOT THAT THEY HANG OUT, AND WE JUST DIDN'T FIND THEM, BUT WE DID CATCH ONE NICE ONE.

IN GEAR TIME TODAY, HE'LL GO OVER THE WAY HE RIGS IT UP.

IT'S A SPECIAL WAY OF DOING IT SO YOU DON'T HANG UP A LOT, AND HE'LL SHARE THAT.

- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RIGS.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - WELL, JERRY, WE HAD THE SUN POP OUT.

I MEAN, WE'VE HAD AN OVERCAST FALL MORNING AND IT'S AN ABSOLUTE FANTASTIC FALL DAY OF TROLLING FOR CHANNEL CATS AND BLUE CATS WE'VE CAUGHT A LITTLE MIX OF BOTH, AND A LOT OF READERS AND LISTENERS ARE USED TO BOTTOM FISHING FOR CATFISH, BUT THIS TROLLING METHOD REALLY IS EFFECTIVE.

SO EXPLAIN TO ME THIS RIG THAT WE WERE USING.

- OKAY, THIS IS YOUR BASIC OLD SANTEE COOPER CATFISH RIG.

IT HAS AN EAGLE CLAW NUMBER 42 HOOK.

I GOT 40-POUND TEST LEADER WITH A 2-INCH FLOAT.

NOW, YOU GET FLOATS IN ANY COLORS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FLOATS THAT I USE.

IT'S GOT A GOOD COLOR TO IT.

BUT THEY GOT WHITES--THEY GOT ALL KIND OF COLORS IN THEM.

AND THEN I PUT SWIVEL ON THE END.

AND THIS, OF COURSE, THAT TIES TO YOUR LINE, BUT I ALSO USE THIS RIGHT HERE AS A WEIGHT.

AND THIS IS A WEIGHT THAT I MAKE, AND THEY'RE READILY AVAILABLE...

THE PRODUCT'S AVAILABLE TO MAKE THESE WEIGHTS IN SOME YOUR BAIT SHOPS.

AND WHAT IT IS, THIS IS A PARACHUTE CORD AND I GOT ABOUT 14 BUCKSHOTS INSIDE THIS PARACHUTE CORD, AND I SEAL BOTH ENDS OF IT UP.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT IS SEALED.

THIS ONE'S SEALED, AND I RUN MY LINE THROUGH THAT, AND THEN, IT TIES ONTO THIS SWIVEL RIGHT HERE AND STAY LIKE--IT KIND OF RUN UP AND DOWN THE LINE.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS, THESE THINGS DON'T HANG UP NEARLY AS MUCH AS YOUR REGULAR OLD EGG SINKERS AND THAT SORT OF STUFF.

AND THEY RUN THROUGH THE WATER, AND OF COURSE, YOUR CORD KEEPS YOUR HOOK FROM HANGING UP ON THE BOTTOM SO MUCH, BUT I KEEP THE CORD ABOUT 6 INCHES ABOVE THE HOOK, SOMEWHERE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW WE DO IT.

WE KEEPING THEM OUT WITH THE CAST OUT AND WE RUN ABOUT 60 FEET BEHIND THE BOAT.

60, 70 FOOT BEHIND THE BOAT, OR ABOUT A HALF A SPOOL ON THESE 6500'S AND 6000'S THAT I USE.

AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW WE DO IT.

AND THE SPEED'S REAL-- YOU KNOW, IT'S REAL IMPORTANT.

AND WE RUN ANYWHERE FROM .5 TO ABOUT .8, .10.

NOW, IF IT'S A GOOD BITE, I'LL RUN .8, BUT IF IT'S A REAL SLOW BITE, I'LL SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT .4 OR .5.

- AND WE WERE USING BOTH STRIPS OF BLUEGILL AND BLUEGILL HEADS, AND THAT SEEMED TO DO THE TRICK FOR US.

- YEAH, BLUEGILL IS A GOOD BAIT TO USE DOING THIS.

YOU CAN HAVE A VARIETY OF BAITS.

YOU CAN USE CRAPPIE, BUT IF YOU USE CRAPPIE OR BASS, BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR LEGAL-SIZE CARCASS THERE, 'CAUSE IF ANYONE PULLS YOU OVER, HE GONNA KNOW WHAT SIZE CRAPPIE YOU USING, SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

SO IF YOU DO HAPPEN TO USE CRAPPIE, WANT TO BE SURE THAT IT'S 8-INCH, LEGAL SIZE, OKAY?

- ALL RIGHT, I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND.

WE DON'T WANT ANY TROUBLE.

WELL, THE SUN'S OUT.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET ANOTHER ONE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THANKS, JERRY, FOR THAT INFORMATION.

NOW, IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO FISHING WITH JERRY, WE'LL GIVE YOU HIS TELEPHONE NUMBER.

FEEL FREE TO GIVE HIM A CALL.

IT'S A DIFFERENT WAY OF CATCHING CATFISH, AND PERSONALLY, I THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT.

NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY USING CATFISH.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING A PARMESAN PECAN FRIED CATFISH.

IT'S A GREAT RECIPE, AND IT GOES TOGETHER REALLY QUICK AND EASY, AND ACTUALLY, WE'RE NOT FRYING IT IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY.

WE'RE GONNA OVEN FRY IT.

SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO HAVE THAT CRISPY, CRUNCHY COATING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TO GET THE OIL OUT AND FRY.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

I HAVE MY CATFISH THAT I'VE BEEN SOAKING IN SOME BUTTERMILK, WHICH WILL ADD SOME GREAT FLAVOR TO OUR FISH AS WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR CHICKEN BAKE AND WE'RE GONNA PLACE THAT INTO OUR BAG, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME PARMESAN CHEESE AND ABOUT A CUP OF CHOPPED OR MINCED NUTS.

SO I JUST KIND OF PUT THOSE IN MY FOOD PROCESSOR AND CHOPPED THOSE UP REAL FINELY, AND IT'S GONNA ADD SOME GREAT NUTTY FLAVOR 'CAUSE AS YOU BAKE YOUR-- OVEN FRY YOUR FISH, IT'S GONNA ALSO BAKE TO THOSE NUTS AND ALL THE OILS ARE GONNA COME OUT OF THE NUTS AND SOME GREAT, NUTTY, CRUNCHY FLAVOR.

SO WE HAVE OUR MIXTURE HERE IN OUR BAG, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR FISH AND WE'RE JUST GONNA DO ONE FILLET AT A TIME.

AND KIND OF CLOSE YOUR BAG-- AND I LIKE TO LEAVE SOME AIR IN IT SO THAT IT MOVES AROUND BETTER.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE IT A TOSS AND COAT IT REALLY WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PUT IT OUT ONTO OUR LINED BAKING SHEET.

AND I LIKE TO LINE MINE WITH FOIL JUST BECAUSE IT'S EASIER FOR ME TO CLEAN UP.

THEN I CAN JUST TAKE MY FOIL, TOSS IT, AND BE FINISHED.

WE'LL PUT OUR OTHER ONE IN.

GIVE THIS ONE A TOSS, AND THEN IF YOU LIKE, YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE COATING ON IT.

THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO DO.

SO I'LL JUST PULL THIS OUT.

AND WE'RE GONNA BAKE THIS AT ABOUT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON THE THICKNESS OF OUR FILLETS THAT YOU HAVE.

SO I JUST KIND OF LIKE TO PRESS MINE IN THERE.

MAKE SURE THAT I GET ALL OF THIS YUMMINESS ON IT.

AND WHEN WHILE THIS IS BAKING, WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND MAKE OUR RELISH THAT WE'RE GONNA TOP THIS WITH.

AND IT'S A REALLY SIMPLE RELISH AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE TEN MINUTES IN THE OVEN, SO LET'S PUT OUR RELISH TOGETHER.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ONE CAN OF DICES TOMATOES WITH GREEN CHILIES.

SO THE GREEN CHILIES AREN'T HOT.

THEY JUST ADD SOME GREAT FLAVOR.

THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME SWEET ONION THAT WE'VE CHOPPED.

AND THE BEST: THIS PICKLED OKRA.

SO IT IS GONNA ADD LOTS OF GREAT TANG TO THIS RECIPE.

SO WE JUST GIVE THIS A TOSS AND THEN JUST LET IT SIT UNTIL YOUR FILLETS COME OUT.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TOP IT-- OUR FILLETS--WITH THE RELISH.

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

YOU CAN SEE YOU GOT YOUR FISH.

IT'S GREAT.

IT'S NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

YOU CAN SEE THE NUTS ON IT, AND YOU'RE GONNA ADD THIS GREAT TOASTED NUT FLAVOR.

AND THEN WE'VE JUST TOPPED IT WITH OUR TANGY PICKLED OKRA RELISH.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS FISH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANKS, DONNA.

THAT'S ONE OF THOSE RECIPES YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TRY USING CATFISH.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK TO LAKE WYLIE--A GOOD DAY.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT FISHING METHOD THAN WE'RE USED TO, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE PRODUCTIVE.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD COVERED TROLLING FOR THEM, AND JERRY HAS REFINED THAT ALMOST TO AN ART FORM.

HE IS...

SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON LAKE WILEY AND I NOTICED, AS WE WERE FISHING THAT DAY AND AS HE WAS WORKING USING THE DEPTH FINDER, THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO...

EVEN THOUGH HE COULD RECOGNIZE WHERE HE WAS ON THE LAKE, BUT JUST SEEING THE BOTTOM AND LOOKING FOR THE BAIT FISH TOO.

THAT WAS ANOTHER CRITICAL PART OF DOING THIS, IS LOCATING THE BAIT.

'CAUSE A CATFISH ARE GONNA-- YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GONNA BE WHERE THE FOOD IS.

SO BY PUTTING ALL THAT TOGETHER-- WORKING YOUR DEPTH FINDER, AND THEN KNOWING THE LAKE LIKE HE DOES-- YOU KNOW WHERE THE FISH HANG OUT.

YOU CAN BE VERY PRODUCTIVE WITH IT.

CATFISH ARE FOUND ACROSS THE STATE.

ALL OF OUR LAKE HAVE THEM.

ALL OF OUR RIVERS HAVE THEM.

PONDS HAVE THEM.

EVEN IN A POND, YOU COULD TRY THIS, BUT IN A LAKE THE SIZE OF LAKE WYLIE, IT WORKS REALLY WELL, AND WE CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH.

- FUN TO CATCH, GOOD ON THE TABLE.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANK YOU 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.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪