[piano intro] - COME ON.

- OH, I GOT ANOTHER ONE.

GOT A DOUBLE HEADER.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

- THIS ONE'S FIGHTING WEIRD.

I MIGHT HAVE HIM-- - IT MIGHT BE A SPECKLED TROUT.

- NO, IT'S A SMALL STRIPER.

I GOT HIM HOOKED ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

I GOT THE ANCHOR ON HIM.

HE'S NOT COMING OUT.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ - [MALE ANNOUNCER] THE "CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL" IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] "WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE."

- [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.

- HELLO, AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM IS GOING TO TAKE US TO DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, FISHING FOR STRIPERS.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING BE ON THE PAMLICO RIVER TARGETING STRIPED BASS WITH TOP BORE LURES AND ON ONE OF THE PRETTIEST MORNINGS I'VE BEEN OUT FILMING IN QUITE A WHILE.

IT WAS PERFECT FOR TOP WATER.

WE'RE DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON, LIKE YOU SAID, AND USING TOP WATER BAITS, STICK BAITS AND THE GUYS WILL GO OVER THAT IN GEAR TIME.

- GEAR TIME'S GOING TO BE REAL INTERESTING TODAY.

AND DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE FOR SEAFOOD CASSEROLE.

- YEAH, IT'S ONE OF HER SPECIALTIES THAT SHE'S WORKED UP FOR US, AND STAY TUNED.

- WELL WE'RE HEADED DOWNTOWN TO GO FISHING ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- SO, BRAD, THIS MORNING WE'VE GOT THESE SUPER SPOOKS OUT WITH THREE TREBLE HOOKS ON THEM.

THEY'RE PREFERRING THE BIGGER TOP WATERS LATELY.

MY BIG BAIT FOR WHEN WE'RE FISHING FOR BIG FISH.

THERE'S SOME 25 TO 30-INCH STRIPERS IN THIS SYSTEM SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM ON TOP THIS MORNING.

- WELL, AS THEY SAY, "THE BIGGER THE BAIT, THE BIGGER THE FISH."

- THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

- LET'S GET THEM.

- LET'S GO.

- COME ON.

ALL THE WAY TO THE BOAT.

- COME ON.

COME ON FOR BREAKFAST.

BREAKFAST IS BEING SERVED.

- HE'S SWIRLING.

THERE HE IS.

GET HIM.

THAT'S TWO BLOW-UPS RIGHT-- SIMULTANEOUSLY.

- BRAD, GOOD JOB, BUDDY.

- GOT HIM.

GOT HIM.

- PRETTY WORK.

PRETTY WORK.

LOOK AT IT FIGHT LIKE A BASS.

- WANT TO GET HIM OUT OF THAT-- - I'LL TRY TO DRAG HIM OUT.

OH, GOT ANOTHER ONE.

GOT A DOUBLE-HEADER.

JUST ABOUT THERE.

- THIS ONE'S FIGHTING WEIRD.

MIGHT HAVE HIM-- - MIGHT BE A SPECKLED TROUT.

NO, IT'S A STRIPER.

- NO, IT'S A SMALL STRIPER.

I GOT HIM HOOKED ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

I GOT THE ANCHOR ON HIM.

HE'S NOT COMING OUT.

GOT IT.

YOU GOT ONE OVER THERE?

- I GOT ONE OVER THERE.

- GOOD JOB.

LOOK AT THAT.

RELEASED IN THE NET.

- SMALLER FISH.

SMALLER FISH.

- GET THIS ONE OUT BEFORE I CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT ONE.

YOU GOT IT?

- YEP.

- IT'S A NICE DOUBLE HOOK.

- WELL, BRAD, WE GOT A DOUBLE HOOK-UP HERE.

- IT'S EXCITING WHEN YOU'RE BOTH BLOWING UP AT THE SAME TIME.

- YES, SIR.

ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S--IT'S BEEN A GOOD MORNING SO FAR.

LOT OF ACTION SO FAR.

COUPLE OF SMALLER STRIPERS THERE RIGHT BEFORE-- RIGHT BEFORE THE GRANDDADDIES.

BUT THAT'S A PRETTY ONE YOU GOT.

HE MIGHT MAKE IT HOME FOR THE GREASE.

- YEAH.

HE MIGHT.

- MINE'S GOING TO BE UNDERSIZED BUT NEVERTHELESS A PRETTY FISH.

ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE-- GOT A LITTLE HYBRID IN HIM THERE WITH THAT BODY SHAPE THERE ALONG THE TAIL.

A COMMON MYTH IS THAT IF THEY HAVE BROKEN STRIPES THEY'RE A HYBRID, BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.

A LOT OF THESE NATIVE PAMLICO RIVER FISH HAVE BROKEN STRIPES.

IT'S MORE THE BODY SHAPE THAT REALLY SHOWS YOU IF THEY GOT SOME HYBRID IN THEM.

BUT THESE--THESE LOOK LIKE NATIVE FISH TO ME, SO.

- YEAH.

BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- PRETTY.

PRETTY.

WE'RE GOING TO LET THEM GO.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL CATCH ANOTHER ONE.

- YOU WANT TO LET THIS ONE GO OR YOU WANT TO PUT HIM IN THE BOX?

- I'M PUTTING HIM IN THE BOX.

- LET'S PUT HIM IN THE BOX.

YOU KNOW RICHARD, THIS IS GREAT ACTION.

IS THIS SOMETHING THEN THAT YOU CAN EXPECT YEAR ROUND OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT PRIMARILY RIGHT NOW IN THE SPRING OR LATER IN THE FALL THAT YOU CAN SEE AS WELL?

- THIS TYPE OF WATER STRIPER FISHERY IS BASICALLY YEAR-ROUND FISHERY IN THE PAMLICO RIVER.

I WOULD SAY THE HIGHLIGHT OF IT IS RIGHT NOW DURING THE PRE-SPAWN, SPAWN AND POST-SPAWN.

BASICALLY FROM MARCH RIGHT THROUGH MAY.

BUT, YES, WE CATCH THESE FISH YEAR-ROUND ON TOP WATER.

FALL IS ANOTHER GOOD TIME TO CATCH THEM.

THE WINTER IT GETS A LITTLE SLOW WHEN IT GETS REAL COLD.

THEY DON'T WANT TO HIT THESE TOP WATER BAITS VERY WELL.

BUT, YEAH, THIS IS A GREAT YEAR-ROUND FISHERY FOR THIS AREA.

IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO ON LIGHT TACKLE.

- WELL, GREAT.

IT CERTAINLY IS EXCITING.

IT MAKES YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THIS TIME OF YEAR.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- REALLY POUNDING 'EM OUT.

- WELL LET ME GET THE NET.

HANG ON.

HANG ON.

I'M LATE.

I'M LATE ON THE NET.

- THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S ALL THESE TREBLE HOOKS.

WE GOT HIM.

WE GOT HIM LOCKED UP PRETTY GOOD.

- WE GOT THIS ONE-- THIS ONE'S FOLLOWING US.

- THIS IS A GOOD ONE FOR-- - THEY'RE HITTING THIS THING HARD.

IT'S JUST BLOWING UP AND LANDING ON HER BACK.

- ANOTHER SMALLER FISH.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

- GOOD DEAL.

- PRETTY ONE.

PRETTY ONE.

WE'RE GOING TO LET HIM GO.

- GOT TO KEEP THEM COMING.

GET THAT OUT.

RICHARD, WE'VE CHANGED LOCATIONS AGAIN.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS LOCATION VERSUS WHERE WE WERE EARLIER?

- WELL, THE TRESTLE IS SOME OF THE BEST STRUCTURE WE HAVE IN THE RIVER HERE.

JUST LIKE NEWBURN, WASHINGTON, HAS-- THE PAMLICO RIVER HAS A TRESTLE.

IT'S A GREAT SPOT TO TOP WATER FISH.

THESE FISH GET UP IN THESE PYLONS AND USUALLY THEY'RE IN THE AREAS WHERE THE LEDGES INTERSECT THE PYLONS.

THOSE HAPPEN TO BE THE BEST PLACES AND JUST A GREAT PLACE TO START IN THE EARLY MORNING FOR TOP WATER.

IT'S ALWAYS A SPOT THAT YOU NEED TO CHECK ON YOUR- DURING YOUR MORNING OF TOP WATER FISHING.

- COME ON.

COME ON.

OH, THAT'S A NICE ONE RIGHT HERE.

CAUGHT HIM ABOUT 10 FEET OFF THE PYLON.

- THAT'S A NICE FISH RIGHT THERE, BRAD.

PRETTY WORK.

PRETTY WORK.

- YEAH.

BLEW UP ON THAT TOP WATER, JUST ABOUT 10 FEET OFF THE PYLON.

- LET ME GET THE NET FOR YOU, BUD.

- I SLOWED THE--SLOWED THE ACTION DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

SUN'S COMING UP A LITTLE MORE AND SLOWED IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND SURE ENOUGH, HE POPPED IT RIGHT ON TOP.

- IS IT GOING TO BE A NICE ONE?

HE'S ACTING LIKE HE HAS SOME SHOULDERS ISN'T HE?

- I DON'T KNOW.

I SWITCHED TO A LITTLE LIGHTER TACKLE SO THAT TENDS TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE MORE EXCITING.

THERE YOU GO.

IT IS A GOOD ONE THOUGH.

OH YEAH.

- PRETTY FISH.

PRETTY FISH.

- GREAT FISH.

- YES SIR.

VERY GOOD, BRAD.

NICE, PRETTY FISH BUD.

- THIS IS GOING TO MAKE A GOOD DINNER FARE.

GREAT SIZE.

- THAT'S THE KIND YOU WANT TO EAT-- EAT FOR SUPPER RIGHT THERE.

MAKE GOOD EATING.

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PAMLICO RIVER STRIPER RIGHT THERE.

LOOK AT THAT-LOOK AT THE MORNING LIGHT ON HIM.

ON HIS STRIPES.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.

- THERE HE IS.

HE'S CHASING.

COME ON.

COME ON.

- HE'S ON YA.

HE'S ON YA.

- THAT WAS EXCITING, ISN'T IT?

- HE'S ON YA.

HE'S ON YA.

HE'S ON YA.

- THERE HE IS.

- THERE HE IS.

GO.

- OH, ANOTHER NICE ONE.

- YEAH, KEEPER.

PRETTY FISH.

MIGHT BE THE FISH THAT-- - HE MIGHT BE BEST ONE.

- BIGGEST FISH OF THE DAY SO FAR.

ALL RIGHT, BRAD.

WE GOT ANOTHER KEEPER HERE TODAY.

- THAT'S A NICE ONE.

- NICE TOP WATER-- TOP WATER SPOOK JUNIOR THERE.

BEAUTIFUL.

BEAUTIFUL.

BEAUTIFUL.

- SHOULD BE ANOTHER GOOD ONE FOR THE DINNER TABLE.

- SLICK, CALM CONDITIONS ON THIS PRETTY MORNING ON THE PAMLICO RIVER.

YOU GOT TO LOVE IT.

- OUTSTANDING.

- ALL RIGHT.

PRETTY WORK, BUD.

- RICHARD, WE'VE JUST MOVED INTO ANOTHER LOCATION BACK INTO A FEEDER CREEK.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO FISH THIS ONE DIFFERENT?

OR WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS HABITAT HOW SO THAN WHERE WE WERE BEFORE?

- WELL BRAD, IN THE UPPER PART OF THE PAMLICO RIVER THERE'S SO MANY OF THESE LITTLE SHALLOW BAYS THAT HAVE MUDDY BOTTOMS WITH SHALLOW STRUCTURE.

WHAT I'M REALLY REFERRING TO IS STUMPS AND THEY'RE JUST GREAT SPOTS FOR TOP WATER FISHING.

THEY PLAY REALLY WELL IN THE TOP WATER GAME.

AND THEY'RE JUST- YOU JUST HAVE TO COVER SOME GROUND AND COME OUT HERE AND YOU'LL FIND SOME NICE FISH IN THESE AREAS.

- YEAH.

GOOD JOB.

- THERE HE IS.

HOOKED UP.

HOOKED UP AGAIN.

- GOOD JOB.

BOY, HE TOOK THAT TOO.

- THIS ONE'S GOT SOME SHOULDERS ON HIM TOO.

- YEAH, HE SUCKED IT DOWN.

HE HIT THAT ONE HARD.

- USUALLY THE BIG FISH, THEY'LL JUST SUCK THEM DOWN LIKE THAT.

YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF-- THEY JUST OPEN THAT BIG BUCKET MOUTH AND IT'S OVER.

- SUCK THE WHOLE WORK ON DOWN WITH IT.

I'LL GRAB YOUR NET.

OH, YEAH.

- NICE ONE THERE.

- YEAH.

FOR SURE.

HE'S PULLING GOOD, ISN'T IT?

- YEAH, HE IS.

- FEELS GOOD.

- HE'S GOING TO GO WHERE HE WANTS TO GO TOO.

- RIGHT UP UNDER THE BOAT THERE.

CAN'T SEE HIM YET.

I DIDN'T SEE.

WHERE IS HE?

- ANOTHER NICE ONE.

- HE'S UP UNDER THE BOAT.

- LET ME PULL HIM OUT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

- OH, YEAH.

YEAH.

HE'S NOT DONE.

HE'S GOT SOME MORE FOR YOU.

OH, YES.

LOOK AT THAT.

- LOOK AT THAT FISH.

THAT'S A NICE ONE.

- THAT'S A NICE ONE.

- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE-- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE AFTER.

HE'S NOT HOOKED THAT GOOD EITHER.

HE'S KIND OF HOOKED IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE HE IS.

THERE'S YOUR SHOT.

OH.

- GOT HIM.

GOT HIM.

GOT HIM.

GOOD JOB, MAN.

GOOD JOB.

- THANK YOU.

- THAT WAS A FUN ONE.

- OH, MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

WHAT A NICE FISH.

ALL RIGHT, BRAD.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS ONE BACK BECAUSE WE'RE IN INLAND WATERS AND THIS FISH IS OVER THE SLI-- OVER 22 INCHES.

- RIGHT.

- HE'S TOO BIG TO KEEP SO WE'RE GONNA JUST-- - LET HIM LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY.

- YEAH, WE'RE JUST GOING TO SET HIM RIGHT BACK IN THERE AND...

THERE HE GOES.

- GREAT CATCH, RICH.

- I TELL YOU, THAT WAS A BIG ONE, MAN.

THAT THING JUST KERPLUNKED HARD.

- OH, LOOK.

THERE'S ONE THERE BEHIND HIM.

WATCH HIM.

- GREAT.

- TOOK IT ON THE FIRST HIT.

THAT'S A NICE ONE.

- LET ME GET MY BAIT IN SO I CAN GET-- - OH, LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT HIM GO.

HE'S GOT--HE'S GOT PLENTY OF FORCE THIS MORNING.

THE WATER'S WARMED UP, GOT HIM EXCITED.

IT'S GOT ME EXCITED TOO.

LOOK AT THAT.

- ANOTHER NICE ONE THERE.

- YES.

GOT TO LOVE IT.

LIGHT TACKLE TOO, MAN.

NICE.

ANOTHER GREAT ONE.

- ALWAYS CAUTIOUS DIPPING MY HAND IN THOSE NETS WITH THOSE TREBLE HOOKS.

- OH, MAN, THOSE TREBLE HOOKS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THEY'LL GET YOU.

- ANOTHER NICE ONE.

I THINK HE MIGHT MAKE THE RIDE HOME.

- YEAH.

HE MIGHT.

FOR SURE.

- HITTING THAT-- STILL HITTING SPOOK A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE MORNING HERE.

- YEAH.

FOR SURE.

- THAT CHROME.

THAT CHROME BODY-- CHROME BELLY'S A KEY.

THEY LIKE THAT A LOT SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

THAT FISH PROBABLY 19 INCHES, 20 INCHES.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

REAL PRETTY STRIPER.

DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.

- I'M GOING TO GO GET ANOTHER ONE.

THERE HE IS.

YOU GOT HIM?

- GOT HIM ON.

- NICE.

- CHANGED THE LOOK A LITTLE BIT.

WENT TO THE POPPER AND HE PILED RIGHT ON IT.

- JUST THAT ONE LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENCE WAS SOMETHING TO SET IT OFF.

ANY SIZE TO HIM?

- I DON'T KNOW.

HE MIGHT HAVE ONE WITH HIM.

I SAW TWO.

- I WAS GOING TO COME BEHIND HIM AND SEE IF-- - YESTERDAY I SAW--I SAW A PAIR OF THEM COME UP TOGETHER.

NOW, THIS IS A SMALLER FISH BUT HE'S SPUNKY.

JUST GOING TO SLING HIM RIGHT UP.

- OKAY.

DEFINITELY WORKING THIS AREA RIGHT NOW.

YOU SEE A LOT OF LOOSE-- RESTLESS WATER THROUGH HERE.

- BRAD, WOULD YOU HAND ME THOSE PLIERS OVER THERE?

ON THE CHUG BUG.

SOMETIMES CHANGING IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

YOU KNOW, THE WALK THE DOG BAITS WORK GREAT BUT SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO USE A PLUG TO GET A BITE.

SOMETIMES CHANGING UP THE PRESENTATION MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

THAT CHUG BUG IN THAT TENNESSEE SHAD IS A GREAT COLOR FOR THIS RIVER WITH THAT ORANGE BELLY.

THEY REALLY LOVE AN ORANGE BELLY.

ANYTHING WITH AN ORANGE BELLY.

BEAUTIFUL FISH.

GOING TO LET HIM GO.

MAYBE WE'LL SEE HIM AGAIN TOMORROW.

- GOT HIM.

- FISH ON.

- OH, HOOKED UP.

HOOKED UP.

- THERE.

- NICE FISH TOO.

- YEAH.

FOR SURE.

- GOOD JOB, MAN.

- YEAH.

NO DOUBT.

THAT'S AWESOME.

- THAT WAS ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH CAST TO THAT FISH.

- YEAH.

- CHASING--CHASING YOU DOWN, HE FINALLY WAS TOO GLUTTON-- HIS GLUTTONY GOT TO HIM, DIDN'T IT?

- YEAH.

HE WANTED TO SHOW HIS FACE A LITTLE BIT.

HE WAS JEALOUS.

HE WANTED-- RIGHT HERE WITH US.

- TAKE YOUR TIME.

- THERE HE IS.

HE'S GOT A LITTLE MORE LEFT.

THAT'S IT.

HE'S GOT HIM.

GRAB THAT TOP ONE.

THERE HE IS.

WE'LL LET HIM GET A LITTLE BIGGER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

- YEAH, WE CAN KEEP HIM IF YOU'D LIKE BUT HE'S PROBABLY GOING TO MAKE THE MARK.

BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO PUT--I DON'T KNOW.

HE'S GOING TO BE REAL CLOSE.

- YEAH, LET'S LET HIM-- LET'S LET HIM GET A LITTLE BIGGER.

- THERE HE GOES.

- AWESOME.

- NOW, JOE, THAT WAS SOME GOOD TOP WATER ACTION.

- IT REALLY WAS, AND WE HAD A PERFECT MORNING FOR IT.

YOU COULD TELL, NO WIND TO START WITH.

AND THE FISH WERE VERY AGGRESSIVE, ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, RIGHT IN THE FIRST LIGHT OF THE DAY.

AND JUST--THE GUYS KNEW WHERE THE FISH WERE.

THEY'D FISHED A COUPLE DAYS IN ADVANCE AND KNEW WHERE TO FIND THE FISH.

AND AGAIN, THAT'S HARD TO BEAT WHEN YOU CATCH FISH LIKE THAT.

- ALL RIGHT.

LET'S FIND OUT MORE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- RICHARD, THIS HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING MORNING.

HERE IT IS, ALMOST 9:00 AND WE'VE CAUGHT OUR HANDS FULL OF STRIPER.

YOU'VE TOLD ME SO MANY TIMES ABOUT HOW GREAT THE STRIPER FISHING IS HERE ON THE PAMLICO RIVER THIS TIME OF YEAR, EARLY APRIL.

WE'VE GOT POLLEN ON THE CYPRESS STUMPS AROUND US SO IT'S JUST BEEN GREAT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING ME OUT HERE THIS MORNING.

- YOU'RE WELCOME, BRAD.

WE'VE HAD AN EXCELLENT MORNING.

SOME GREAT FISHERY.

IT'S A YEAR-ROUND FISHERY HERE ON THE PAMLICO RIVER.

WE'VE CAUGHT A VARIETY OF SIZES OF STRIPERS ON TOP WATER.

WE USED A VARIETY OF BAITS TO CATCH THESE FISH.

IT'S REALLY SIMPLE.

WE'VE ONLY REALLY USED ABOUT THREE STYLES OF BAITS THIS MORNING.

THIS IS A SUPER SPOOK IN THE SILVER MULLET COLOR.

THIS IS A WALK-THE-DOG-STYLE TOP WATER BAIT.

AND BRAD I BELIEVE YOU HAD THE SUPER SPOOK JUNIOR, WHICH IS A TAD SMALLER.

WE'VE ALSO USED A LITTLE BIT OF THE STORM CHUG BUG TODAY IN A TENNESSEE SHAD COLOR WITH THE ORANGE BELLY.

THAT SEEMS TO BE KEY ON THE PAMLICO RIVER.

WE LIKE TO USE OUR-- ON OUR REELS, WE LIKE TO HAVE ABOUT 2500 SPOOL WITH A 10-POUND BRAID.

IT GIVES US A LOT MORE DISTANCE ON OUR CAST.

AND DISTANCE IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN FISHING REAL SHALLOW.

NOT TO SPOOK THE FISH.

CAN YOU TELL US LITTLE BIT ABOUT THESE SPINNING RODS WE'RE USING TODAY?

- ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE USING TEMPLE FORK SERIES MEDIUM LIGHTS.

I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE HAD A MEDIUM ON WITH ONE OF THE LARGER PLUGS BUT IN THE TACTICAL SERIES.

THE WEIGHTING SPECIAL AND THE SIGNATURE SERIES.

HIGH PERFORMANCE RODS THAT ARE DEFINITELY GETTING THE JOB DONE WITH THIS TOP WATER BITE THIS MORNING.

- YEAH, GOOD QUALITY TACKLE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

HAVING YOUR GEAR RIGHT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND MAKES THE DAY COME TOGETHER FOR A WONDERFUL MORNING.

- AND I'LL TELL YOU ONE OTHER THING THAT'S OUTSTANDING.

WHEN THE SUN IS COMING UP OVER THAT WATER, NOT ONLY IS IT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT BUT IT'S REAL IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD PAIR OF QUALITY SUNGLASSES.

YOU KNOW, WITH THAT GLARE THAT WHEN YOU'RE DOING THAT TOP WATER BITE EARLY IN THE MORNING.

- ABSOLUTELY.

SOMETIMES YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THE FISH BEFORE THEY-- BEFORE THEY STRIKE.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, IT'S BEEN A GREAT DAY.

I'VE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT.

IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL MORNING, RATHER.

WE GOT IT DONE EARLY AND JUST IN TIME TO GO EAT BREAKFAST.

- YEAH, IT WAS A PLEASURE.

WE'LL HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN.

- I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

- THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ENJOYED IT.

- ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU RICHARD.

- HEY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO FISHING ON THE PAMLICO, GIVE CAPTAIN ANDREWS A CALL.

THERE'S HIS NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

NOW DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY.

A SEAFOOD CASSEROLE.

- HI.

TODAY IN THE KITCHEN WE'RE MAKING A SEAFOOD CASSEROLE.

AND THIS IS A NICE, HEARTY DISH THAT IF YOU BEEN OUTSIDE AND IT'S REALLY COLD AND YOU WANT TO COME IN AND HAVE SOMETHING NICE AND WARM, THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED.

AND YOU CAN MAKE IT AHEAD OF TIME AND THEN FINISH IT RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET READY TO SERVE IT.

SO THAT'S KIND OF NICE TOO.

YOU CAN MAKE IT AHEAD OF TIME.

PUT IT IN THE FRIDGE.

BRING IT OUT.

WARM IT UP.

FINISH IT OFF AND YOU'RE READY TO GO.

SO WE'VE MELTED SOME OIL AND THEN ABOUT A HALF A STICK OF BUTTER.

THE BUTTER HAS A HIGHER SMOKE POINT SO YOU WANT TO ADD THE OIL SO YOU CAN DO THIS.

YOU WANT TO SAUTE QUICKLY BUT YOU STILL GET THAT GREAT BUTTER FLAVOR.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ADD IN SOME CELERY AND GREEN ONION AND SOME RED BELL PEPPER WHICH GIVES IT NICE, GOOD COLOR.

YOU CAN USE GREEN PEPPER.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW HOW I AM.

I LIKE TO MAKE MINE PRETTY, SO.

THEN WE'RE JUST GOING TO ADD IN A LITTLE BIT OF GARLIC.

AND THIS IS A GARLIC BLEND THAT YOU CAN BUY IN THE GROCERY STORE IN THE PRODUCE SECTION.

SO YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE FRESH-TASTING GARLIC IN YOUR FRIDGE BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOP IT AND HAVE THAT SMELL ON YOUR HANDS WHICH IS REALLY GREAT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SAUTE THIS.

PROBABLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES UNTIL EVERYTHING'S NICE AND TENDER.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON.

SO YOU CAN TELL IT HAS GREAT FLAVOR AND GREAT SMELLS COMING FROM YOUR KITCHEN.

AND IT LOOKS PRETTY TOO.

SO THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD INTO THIS, I HAVE SOME SCALLOPS THAT I QUARTERED.

I HAVE SOME MEDIUM-SIZED SHRIMP.

AND THEN I HAVE JUST SOME, LIKE, FLOUNDER OR WHITEFISH.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO A MIXTURE.

AND IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU LIKE AND WHAT YOU HAVE.

YOU CAN USE ANY COMBINATION.

IF YOU WANT OYSTERS IN HERE OR IF YOU WANT SOME CLAMS IN HERE, THAT'S FINE TOO.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FISH.

WHATEVER YOU HAVE OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE.

THAT'S WHAT'S WONDERFUL ABOUT THIS DISH.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO MIX THIS TOGETHER OR JUST SAUTE IT UP UNTIL YOUR SHRIMP TURNS PINK.

YOU DON'T WANT TO--YOU DON'T HAVE TO COOK IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO FINISH IT OFF IN THE OVEN.

BUT I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING MAKE THIS AHEAD OF TIME AND LET IT CHILL DOWN, I WOULD GO AHEAD AND COOK EVERYTHING THOROUGHLY BECAUSE YOU'LL JUST WANT TO HEAT IT COMPLETELY THROUGH WHEN, YOU KNOW, AFTER YOU-- BUT RIGHT BEFORE YOU SERVE IT.

SO YOU'LL COOK THIS UNTIL YOUR SHRIMP TURNS PINK.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ADD SOME CREAM OF SHRIMP SOUP.

SO THIS IS, LIKE I SAID, JUST A REALLY QUICK AND EASY RECIPE THAT YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER.

SO WE'RE GOING TO MIX THAT IN WITH THIS.

AND THEN WE'RE ALSO GOING ADD IN SOME BARLEY.

AND I DECIDED TO USE BARLEY INSTEAD OF RICE JUST FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

YOU CAN ADD JUST WHITE RICE OR BROWN RICE TO THIS IF YOU'D LIKE, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE BARLEY.

BUT JUST--THE BARLEY COOKS JUST LIKE RICE.

IT JUST ADDS SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TO YOUR DIET.

TO YOUR MENU.

BUT IT WON'T MAKE IT TOO DRASTIC OF A CHANGE.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO ADD THAT IN, MIX IT ALL TOGETHER, THEN REMOVE IT FROM THE HEAT.

POUR IT INTO A BAKING DISH.

PROBABLY A 9x13 BAKING DISH.

AND THEN WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO USE SOME LEFTOVER CORN BREAD THAT WE HAVE JUST CRUMBLED UP.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT THAT ON THE TOP AND A LITTLE BIT OF CHEESE.

BAKE IT AT 350 DEGREES UNTIL IT'S NICE AND BUBBLY THROUGHOUT AND THE TOP IS NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT'S FINISHED.

YOU CAN SEE THE CHEESE IS MELTED IN THERE.

IT'S BROWNED.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND IT'S READY TO GO.

A NICE HEARTY MEAL FOR YOU ON A NICE COLD DAY.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SEAFOOD CASSEROLE.

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

- THANKS, DONNA, FOR ANOTHER GREAT RECIPE.

THAT RECIPE AND MORE ARE CONTAINED RIGHT HERE IN THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL COOKBOOK.

A COLLECTION OF MINE AND JOE'S FAVORITES.

AND, JOE, FISHING IN WASHINGTON ON THE PAMLICO IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES.

AND WE HAD A GOOD DAY.

- WE REALLY DID.

AND YEAH, THAT TOP WATER FISHING CAN BE- YOU CAN DO THAT KIND OF YEAR ROUND.

NOT REALLY IN THE WINTER TIME.

BUT IN SUMMERTIME, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO START EARLY AND LATE.

BUT CAPTAIN ANDREWS HAS GOT IT REFINED.

HE KNOWS THAT PAMLICO RIVER REALLY WELL AND HE LOVES TO GUIDE FOR TOP WATER STRIPER FISHING BECAUSE IT'S JUST-- IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

YOU SEE A LOT OF ACTION.

AND EVEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE WORKING THAT BAIT AND THAT STRIPER COMES UP THERE LIKE YOU SAW.

WE HAD A LOT OF SHORT STRIKES.

YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY COME UP AND KNOCK IT AND VIRTUALLY KNOCK THE BAIT OUT OF THE WATER.

AND THEY'RE VERY AGGRESSIVE ON THOSE BAITS.

BUT IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED THAT FOR STRIPED BASS, GIVE HIM A CALL.

LIKE I SAID, HE KNOWS THOSE WATERS REALLY WELL.

AND ONE OF HIS FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR IS TO CATCH STRIPED BASS ON TOP WATER.

- NOW THAT WAS STILL A GOOD MORNING.

THAT WAS A GOOD MORNING THAT DAY.

- IT REALLY WAS.

- NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

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.

- [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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