[gentle orchestral fanfare] - THESE FISH ARE ALL IN THAT ONE SPOT RIGHT THERE.

I'M GONNA SWITCH OVER TO WHAT YOU GOT THERE, THEN.

- I THINK SO.

AFTER THIS ONE.

- MM-HMM.

- MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA.

LITTLE BIT MORE WHAT WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR.

- YEAH, I HEARD HIM HIT DRAG WHEN YOU...

FISH MIGHT JUST BE MOVIN' UP HERE A LITTLE BIT TOO.

- YEAH, SOMETIMES IN THE SPRING HERE, THESE FISH'LL... TAKES 'EM A LITTLE BIT TO KIND OF GET GROUPED UP.

THEY GET A LITTLE SCATTERED ON THE EDGES.

- YEAH, THAT WHAT YOU LIKE, ISN'T IT?

- YEAH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S MORE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

- YEAH, THAT'S A... - YEAH, LOOK AT THE BELLY ON HIM TOO.

- NICE SPRINGTIME STRIPED BASS HERE ON THE NEUSE RIVER.

- [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, AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM WILL TAKE US TO THE NEUSE RIVER.

AND, JOE, IT'S ABOUT STRIPERS.

- IT REALLY IS.

WE'RE FISHING IN MID-MARCH-- EARLY SPRING-- FOR STRIPED BASS, FISHING WITH CAPTAIN GARY DUBIEL, WHO IS BASED OUT OF ORIENTAL.

BUT HE FISHES THE LENGTH OF THE NEUSE RIVER AND DOES QUITE WELL.

HE'S ONE OF OUR BETTER GUIDES ON THE COAST.

AND JUST HAD A GOOD MORNING WITH THE FISH.

IT'S A GREAT TIME OF THE YEAR.

ALL OF OUR RIVERS ARE FULL OF FISH STARTING IN MID-MARCH-- ACTUALLY BEFORE THEN.

BUT IN MID-MARCH, YOU'VE GOT THE SHAD RUN, OF COURSE.

AND THESE STRIPERS ARE GETTING READY TO MAKE A RUN UP THE RIVER.

AND HE HAS AN AREA ABOVE NEW BERN THAT HE LIKES TO FISH FOR 'EM, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

- ANYTHING SPECIAL IN GEAR TIME TODAY?

- THEY'LL GO OVER THE BAITS AND THE TACKLE THAT YOU NEED.

WE'RE USING SOFT BAITS TODAY, A BAIT THAT HE LIKES TO USE THIS TIME OF YEAR AND PROVED SUCCESSFUL FOR THAT DAY.

- AND A FISH ENCHILADA CASSEROLE.

- AGAIN, ONE OF THESE NEW RECIPES FROM DONNA.

YEAR TO YEAR, SHE COMES UP WITH A DIFFERENT DISH FOR US, AND THIS ONE'S GOT A DIFFERENT TWIST TO IT.

- NOT ONLY'S GOT A TWIST, BUT IT'S A NEW ONE ON ME.

WE'VE GOT A LOT COMING YOUR WAY TODAY RIGHT HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- GARY, GENERALLY I SAY THE BEST TIME TO FISH IS WHEN YOU CAN.

BUT MID-MARCH-- WEEK OF THE ACC TOURNAMENT-- IS A GOOD TIME TO CATCH A STRIPER HERE IN THE NEUSE RIVER.

- OH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT THESE FISH STAGING TO GO UPRIVER.

THEY'RE SCHOOLED UP.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT, TYPICALLY, ACTIVELY BUSTING ON TOP.

BUT THEY'RE CERTAINLY AGGRESSIVE, AND WE SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT FISH IN THE BOAT TODAY.

- USING SOFT PLASTICS.

- PRIMARILY USING SOFT PLASTICS THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

WE WANT TO GET DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WE'RE FISHING A LITTLE BIT DEEPER WATER.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO KIND OF PROBE-- AGAIN, THESE FISH AREN'T OVERLY AGGRESSIVE.

SO IF WE PUT THE BAIT IN FRONT OF THEM, WE SHOULD HAVE A PRETTY GOOD DAY OF CATCHING.

- GOT HIM ON, AIN'T HE?

- YEAH, GOT ONE HERE.

- GOOD.

- YEAH, HE GOT A LITTLE TUG TO HIM.

I DON'T THINK HE'S A GIANT, BUT IT'S A FISH.

- THEM ROCK GOT SOME POWER, HADN'T HE?

- YES, THEY DO.

- OH, YEAH, PRETTY STRIPER.

- LITTLE CHUNKY ONE.

LIFT HIM UP IN HERE.

- HE'S GOT A LOT OF BROKEN LINES ON HIS BACK, HADN'T HE?

- YEAH, SURE DOES.

NOW, I TALKED TO A BIOLOGIST FROM WILDLIFE ABOUT THAT, AND, YOU KNOW, HE SAYS NOT TO GO BY THAT AT ALL.

YOU KNOW, THAT BROKEN LINE.

HE SAYS STRIPERS WILL HAVE PLENTY OF BROKEN LINES-- - OH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

I WASN'T SAYING THAT HE WAS A HYBRID.

- YEAH.

- YEAH.

- BUT A LOT OF MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THAT HERE.

BUT ALL STRIPERS.

WELL, A LITTLE GUY, BUT... - HAVE YOU EVER CAUGHT A HYBRID UP HERE?

- I HAVE.

I HAVE CAUGHT A COUPLE OVER THE YEARS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT OF A RARITY.

I KNOW THE STATE DOESN'T PUT 'EM IN.

BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THEY ESCAPE FROM FARM PONDS AND WILL GET IN HERE, AND OCCASIONALLY WE'LL PICK UP ONE IN THE MIX.

- THAT'S THE SECOND FISH YOU PICKED UP IN THAT AREA, ISN'T IT?

- YEAH, SURE IS.

I THINK IT'S ANOTHER SMALL FISH.

- THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

IT'S ALMOST CERTAINLY THE RIGHT KIND.

- IT'S GETTING BIGGER.

IT'S PULLING HARD.

WELL... - SEE ANY TAGGED FISH UP HERE MUCH?

- YEAH, I'VE ACTUALLY CAUGHT A NUMBER OF TAGGED FISH HERE THIS YEAR.

THE STATE PUTS QUITE A FEW TAGS IN.

I'VE ACTUALLY HELPED DO THAT A LITTLE BIT, WHICH IS KIND OF FUN.

YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT PROJECT, GETTING THAT TAGGING GOING.

YOU KNOW, TAKING A LOOK AT THESE FISH AND SEEING WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND WHERE THEY'RE ENDING UP AND HOW MANY MAKE IT UP TO THE SPAWNING GROUNDS.

YEAH, NOT A BAD LITTLE GUY.

GET HIM BACK IN THE WATER.

ALL RIGHT.

AT LEAST IT'S THE RIGHT KIND.

- ARE THEY PICKING IT UP ON THE DROP?

IS IT REAL SLOW, OR... - YEAH, THEIR BITES HAVE BEEN PRETTY SUBTLE.

I ACTUALLY NEVER FELT THAT FISH-- I SEEN THE LINE CHANGE DIRECTION.

CAME--GOT REAL SLACK.

- THERE HE IS RIGHT THERE, GARY.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOOD DEAL, BUDDY.

- I LIKELY PULLED HIM OUT OF THE WATER WHEN I SET THE HOOK.

- YEAH, WE GOT YOU ON THE BOARD HERE.

NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS HOPING TO SEE YOU CATCH, BUT-- - THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL MOVE RIGHT ON UP THE LINE.

- GOOD.

A LITTLE ENTHUSIASM.

- THEM PRETTY-LOOKING FISH, AREN'T THEY?

- THEY ARE.

GORGEOUS.

TELL YOU, THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, THEY'RE SO HEALTHY IN HERE.

EVEN THESE LITTLE GUYS'LL GIVE YOU A PRETTY GOOD FIGHT.

- I TELL YOU, THEY CAN STOP A BAIT.

- [laughing] OH, YEAH.

THAT THEY CAN.

WHEN THEY GET SPARKY, THAT IS-- IT'S NOT LIKE TROUT FISHING.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WONDER IF THAT WAS A OYSTER SHELL OR A BITE.

THEY'LL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT IT.

- GARY, WHEN YOU START CATCHING THESE FISH UP IN THE RIVER HERE?

- WELL, KURT, WE'LL SEE-- WE'LL USUALLY SEE 'EM START TO STAGE UP ABOUT THE END OF FEBRUARY, FIRST PART OF MARCH.

AGAIN, THEY'RE SORT OF GETTING READY TO GO UPRIVER AND SPAWN.

SO THEY'LL KIND OF MOVE OUT OF THEIR WINTERING GROUND A LITTLE BIT FARTHER DOWNRIVER, CLOSER TO NEW BERN, ON THE NEUSE AND THE TRENT AND THEN, YOU KNOW, GET UP HERE WHERE THE RIVER STARTS TO NARROW DOWN AND USUALLY HANG HERE, YOU KNOW, WORKING THEIR WAY UP INTO ABOUT EARLY APRIL.

YOU KNOW, THE FISH WILL CONTINUALLY MOVE UPRIVER.

YOU CAN CERTAINLY GO UPRIVER, YOU KNOW, PUSHING MORE TOWARDS KINSTON.

BUT THIS PART-- THESE STRETCHES HERE, CLOSER TO NEW BERN-- MARCH IS ABOUT IT.

THIS ONE LOOKS A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

- HE'S TAKING SOME DRAG.

THESE FISH ARE ALL IN THAT ONE SPOT RIGHT THERE.

I'M GONNA SWITCH OVER TO WHAT YOU'VE GOT THERE, THEN.

- I THINK SO.

AFTER THIS ONE.

- MM-HMM.

- MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA.

LITTLE BIT MORE WHAT WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR.

- YEAH, I HEARD HIM HIT DRAG WHEN YOU-- FISH MIGHT JUST BE MOVING UP HERE A LITTLE BIT TOO.

- YEAH, SOMETIMES IN THE SPRING HERE, THESE FISH'LL-- TAKES 'EM A LITTLE BIT TO KIND OF GET GROUPED UP.

THEY GET A LITTLE SCATTERED ON THE EDGES.

- YEAH, THAT'S WHAT YOU LIKE, ISN'T IT?

- YEAH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S MORE WHAT WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR.

YEAH, THAT'S A... - YEAH, LOOK AT THE BELLY ON HIM TOO.

- NICE SPRINGTIME STRIPED BASS HERE ON THE NEUSE RIVER.

- GOOD PULL ON A FISH LIKE THAT, ISN'T IT?

- OH, YEAH.

THEY'RE FAT--WATER TEMPERATURE NOW, YOU KNOW, IN THE MID 50s-- THEY'RE ALL SPARKY AND THEY PULL REAL HARD.

HAD A LOT OF DRAG GOING ON THAT.

JUST RIGHT.

JUST WHAT WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR.

LET THIS ONE GO.

LET HER GO BACK UP THE RIVER AND MAKE SOME MORE STRIPERS FOR US.

- DID YOU SEE THE DORSAL?

HOW SHE WAS UP THERE WHEN YOU LET THAT FISH GO?

- OH, YEAH.

- THAT'S PRETTY, WASN'T IT?

- YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THEY'RE A GORGEOUS FISH.

I TELL YOU THIS, THAT SIZE OF FISH IS JUST OUTSTANDING ON LIGHT TACKLE.

- THAT'S THE WAY THAT FISH'S DORSAL FIN WAS UP WHEN SHE HIT THAT BAIT OF YOURS.

- [laughing] - BOWED UP.

- I HEAR YOU.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ WHAT YOU GOT?

- THERE HE IS.

JUST BARELY A SUBTLE-- PICKED IT UP, BUT HE HELD ON TO IT AFTER HE DID.

- GOOD DEAL.

WELL, THAT YEAR-CLASS OF FISH KEEPS FOLLOWING US AROUND.

- WELL, HE WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE NET.

- THAT'S THAT HOLE THAT BIG ONE WORE OUT THERE LAST WEEK WHEN WE WEREN'T FISHING TOGETHER.

[both laughing] - I GOT YOU.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, GARY?

A TWO-YEAR-OLD FISH?

- TWO-YEAR-OLD FISH, YEAH.

YEP, SURE ENOUGH.

CHUNKY ENOUGH.

- YEAH, HE HELD ON TO THAT BAIT FOR A SECOND, 'CAUSE I THOUGHT I HAD A TACK ON IT, AND I PULLED BACK AND FELT HIM.

I SAID, "OOH."

- THERE YOU GO.

GOOD DEAL.

GOOD DEAL.

WELL, THAT'S THE FIRST BITE WE'VE HAD ON THIS STRETCH, SO THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

- YEP, MATTER OF FACT, I JUST GOT THAT OUT OF MY MOUTH, DIDN'T I?

- YES, YOU DID, SO-- - HE WAS HALFWAY OF THE CAST.

FAIRLY CLOSE TO THE BOAT.

- GOT YOU.

WELL, FOUND ANOTHER ONE ON THIS BANK.

- YEAH, WE WERE JUST SAYIN' WE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO... FIND 'EM STACKED UP.

MAYBE WE HAVE.

- HE'S FIGHTIN' HARDER, BUT I DON'T THINK HE'S MUCH BIGGER.

WELL, A LITTLE BIT.

WELL, SEEMS TO BE THE YEAR-CLASS WE'RE ON TODAY.

- THAT COULD BE A FEMALE THERE, THOUGH.

A LITTLE THICKER, I WOULD SAY.

- LITTLE THICKER.

SEE THAT BELLY'S A LITTLE BIT BIGGER, WHICH IS, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, NOT ALWAYS THE CASE BUT A PRETTY GOOD INDICATOR.

- LOOK AT THE PERFECT STRIPES ON THAT ONE.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT LAST ONE YOU HAD BEING BROKEN.

THOSE ARE PERFECT THERE, AREN'T THEY?

- YEAH, SHE'S A PERFECT SPECIMEN, STILL NICE AND BROAD AND PUT UP A DECENT BATTLE.

PUT HER BACK IN THE WATER HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD DEAL.

KIND OF PICKING AWAY AT 'EM TODAY, BUT WE'RE PICKIN' AWAY.

- THERE HE WAS RIGHT THERE, GARY.

- ALL RIGHT.

GOOD DEAL.

GIVE YOU A HAND WITH THAT ONE.

- HE WANTS TO GO OUT, DON'T HE?

- ALL RIGHT.

- YEAH.

- WELL, ANOTHER FISH.

- YEAH.

YOU RECKON ALL THESE FISH ARE IN ONE SCHOOL?

DO YOU THINK THEY HANG IN LIKE-SIZE GROUPS?

- FOR THE MOST PART, THEY DO.

BUT IT WOULDN'T BE UNCOMMON FOR US TO COME DOWN A SHORELINE AND MAYBE HIT A SMALLER FISH OR TWO LIKE THAT, GO JUST A SHORT DISTANCE AND FIND THOSE BIGGER FISH.

OCCASIONALLY THEY'LL GET MIXED UP, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THEY'RE GONNA STICK WITH THEIR OWN SIZE.

- REAL SUBTLE BITE, OR-- - VERY SUBTLE.

I'VE HAD A COUPLE HERE.

THEY SEEM TO REALLY BE UNENTHUSIASTIC.

FORTUNATELY, I THINK THIS ONE OR ONE JUST LIKE HIM GRABBED IT RIGHT BEFORE THIS ONE DID, SO... - WELL, YOU DIALED IN ON 'EM, GARY.

- WELL, MY BACKYARD.

[laughs] GET TO PLAY WITH THESE FISH QUITE A BIT HERE.

WELL, LITTLE BIT SMALLER FISH THAN MAYBE WE WOULD'VE WANTED, BUT STILL A FISH, STILL PULLS PRETTY WELL.

WELL, KEEP AT IT-- I HAD A COUPLE BITES THERE, SO LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T MAYBE CAPITALIZE ON THAT, SEE IF WE CAN'T GET A LITTLE BITE GOING.

JUST NOT AS STACKED UP AS I'D LIKE TO SEE TODAY.

WHO KNOWS WHY, BUT... - THAT'S BEEN A GOOD AREA.

WE'VE CAUGHT TWO OR THREE FISH RIGHT OUT OF THERE.

- YEAH, SURE ENOUGH.

I THINK WE GOT A LITTLE BIT BIGGER FISH.

- GOOD.

OH, I HEAR THAT.

CAN YOU STEER HIM AROUND THIS WAY?

- WORKIN' ON IT.

GOTTA KEEP HIM FROM GETTING IN THAT MOTOR.

- THAT'S PRETTY.

- THANK YOU FOR THE ASSISTANCE.

- KEEP HOOKING 'EM LIKE THAT.

- YEAH.

BELLY ON THAT FISH, HUH?

- BELLY ON THAT FISH.

MM-HMM.

IT'S PRETTY.

I BET THAT STOPPED THAT BAIT, DIDN'T IT?

- IT STOPPED IT IN A HURRY.

- I HEARD A GRUNT.

- [laughing] GOT ME ALL EXCITED, SO EXCITED I CAN'T GET THE HOOK OUT OF HER MOUTH.

- MM-HMM.

HOW LONG IS THAT FISH?

- SHOULD BE ABOUT 23, 23 1/2.

JUST OUT OF THAT KEEPER SLOT, BUT... - PRETTY.

- CERTAINLY A NICE FISH TO CATCH.

- PRETTY.

THAT WAS A GOOD PULL.

- SURE ENOUGH.

OFF SHE GOES.

- GOOD JOB.

- ALL RIGHT, MAN.

- JOE, ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, IT WAS NOT THE SETTING THAT YOU WANTED.

YOU WANTED SOME WATER MOVEMENT.

IS THAT RIGHT?

- WELL, YEAH, AND HE LIKES A LITTLE BIT MORE MOVEMENT THAN WE HAD THAT DAY.

WE CAUGHT FISH.

BUT SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO US BEING THERE, HE HAD 15, 20 FISH HALF-DAYS, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD FISHING.

- RIGHT.

- LIKE I SAY, WE CAUGHT FISH.

BUT THAT'S FISHING.

I MEAN, YOU CAN'T PICK YOUR DAY AND SAY, "WE'RE GONNA GO OUT AND CATCH 20 FISH."

THESE ARE WILD FISH.

YOU DO AS BEST YOU CAN.

BUT HE-- WE PERSISTED.

HE HAD SEVERAL PLACES THAT HE KNEW FISH WERE HOLDING-- OR SHOULD BE HOLDING-- AND WE JUST WAITED 'EM OUT, AND IT WAS A GOOD FULL MORNING OF FISHING.

BUT WE CAUGHT SOME FISH.

- WELL, LET'S FIND OUT MORE.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME SO THAT YOU'LL BE PREPARED.

- GARY, THAT WAS A FUN LITTLE TRIP.

I ALWAYS ENJOY A GOOD FISHING LESSON.

BUT I LIKE GIVING ONE BETTER THAN I LIKE GETTING ONE.

AND YOU GAVE ME ONE TODAY.

WE WERE BOTH USING SIMILAR EQUIPMENT.

MINE WAS A BAITCASTER, YOURS A SPINNING REEL.

BOTH TFO RODS.

WE WERE USING THE SAME BAITS.

YOU WERE USING A BRAID.

THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IN CATCHING FISH AND NOT CATCHING FISH WAS TECHNIQUE.

I TRIED HOPPIN' MY BAIT THE WHOLE DAY.

I TRIED VARYING IT TO DO LIKE YOU WERE DOING-- SHORT HOPS, LONG HOPS-- BUT THEY JUST DIDN'T WANT THAT.

YOU WERE USING KIND OF A WAGGLE TECHNIQUE, WHERE YOU WERE REELING AND JIGGING AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH WAS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO DUPLICATE.

I HADN'T DONE IT BEFORE, AND WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME WHY YOU WERE DOING THAT.

- WELL, I THINK, OBVIOUSLY, BY THE BITE WE HAD TODAY, THAT THE FISH WERE A LITTLE RELUCTANT.

PUTTIN' A LITTLE EXTRA SNAP IN THE ROD, A LITTLE EXTRA RETRIEVE, MOVING THAT BAIT A LITTLE BIT MORE DISTANCE WITH THESE SOFT PLASTIC FLUKES OR JERKBAITS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH, HOPPIN' THAT BAIT UP OFF THE BOTTOM, MAKING IT MOVE A LITTLE BIT, PAUSING AND LETTING IT FALL.

AND SOMETIMES THAT LITTLE EXTRA SPEED, I THINK IT ATTRACTS A BITE OF MAYBE A FISH THAT'S HITTIN' MORE OUT OF REACTION THAT OUT OF FEEDING.

- AND YOU WERE USING BRAIDED LINE.

- YEAH, THE BRAIDED LINE, FOR ME, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY THESE BRIGHTER BRAIDED LINES, YOU CAN SEE THAT BAIT.

YOU CAN SEE THAT BAIT FALL, HIT THE BOTTOM.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE ON THE BOTTOM.

YOU GOTTA START DEEP.

YOU KNOW, FISHING DEEP WATER, WE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT ON THE BOTTOM BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING.

- I SAW, A COUPLE TIMES, YOU ACTUALLY SAID THAT YOU SET THE HOOK BY SEEING YOUR LINE MOVE WHEN HE WAS PICKING UP OFF THE BOTTOM, WHEN IT WAS JUST SITTING THERE.

- RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ANOTHER NICE THING ABOUT HAVING THESE LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER LINES, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO FISHING THIS KIND OF SITUATION.

YOU SEE THAT LINE, IF IT COMES TOWARDS YOU, IF IT GOES RIGHT TO LEFT.

SOMETIMES YOU DON'T FEEL THAT BITE.

YOU'LL SEE THAT LINE SUDDENLY HOP ONE DIRECTION.

IT'S A FISH.

GO AHEAD AND SET UP ON IT.

- WELL, I CAN TELL YOU, THAT WAS THE KEY IN CATCHING FISH TODAY.

AND I TRIED TO DUPLICATE, AND IT WAS NOT EASY TO DO.

I'LL HAVE TO GO HOME AND PRACTICE IN THE POND, 'CAUSE I'LL WORK ON THAT, 'CAUSE YOU LEARN SOMETHING EVERY TIME YOU GO WITH SOMEBODY... - RIGHT.

- PARTICULARLY YOU.

I ENJOYED IT... - LIKEWISE.

- AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME.

- ALWAYS A PLEASURE HAVING YOU ON BOARD.

- THANKS, GARY, FOR ALL THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

NOW, YOU HAVE A NUMBER THERE ON YOUR SCREEN IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK TO GARY ABOUT YOUR NEXT FISHING TRIP.

NOW, DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY, AND THIS IS A NEW ONE ON ME, BUT IT SOUNDS TASTY.

IT'S A FISH ENCHILADA CASSEROLE.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE NOTES ON THIS ONE.

LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING FISH ENCHILADAS.

IT'S A GREAT RECIPE.

IT GOES TOGETHER QUICK AND EASY.

AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE SOME CREPES.

IT'S GONNA HOLD OUR FISH MIXTURE.

AND CREPES ARE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN MAKE A BIG BATCH OF 'EM AT ONE TIME WHILE YOU'VE GOT THE MOTION GOING.

YOU CAN JUST GO AHEAD AND MAKE A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM AND FREEZE 'EM AND THEN PULL 'EM OUT WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME OTHER ENTREES.

IT'S A QUICK AND EASY DINNER FOR YOU.

SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, I'VE GONE AHEAD AND MADE MY MIXTURE, BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

SO IT'S ABOUT THREE OUNCES OF THE SOUTHERN BAKE BREADER, SOME FLOUR, MILK, AND TWO EGGS.

QUICK AND EASY.

JUST MIX IT UP IN YOUR BLENDER, AND THEN LET IT SIT IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

SO WHILE IT'S SITTING IN THE REFRIGERATOR, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR FISH FILLING FOR IT.

AND WHAT I'VE USED IS SOME COOKED FLOUNDER.

SO IT'S A GREAT THING TO DO IF YOU HAVE LEFTOVER FLOUNDER OR LEFTOVER SCALLOPS OR LEFTOVER SHRIMP.

YOU CAN MAKE A WHOLE COMBINATION AND JUST PUT 'EM IN THE MIXTURE, AND IT'LL BE GREAT.

SO YOU CAN MAKE THEM A SEAFOOD ENCHILADA IF YOU WANT TOO.

SO WE'RE GONNA USE SOME CREAM CHEESE, FLOUNDER, AND SOME GREEN CHILES, AND A LITTLE BIT OF LIME JUICE.

JUST MIX IT ALL TOGETHER AND LET IT SIT.

THAT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN MAKE AHEAD OF TIME TOO.

SO YOU CAN MAKE ALL THIS AHEAD OF TIME AND THEN JUST PUT IT TOGETHER WHEN YOUR GUESTS COME OVER OR WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR DINNER.

SO I'VE GOT MY MIXTURE HERE TOO, WHICH IS SOME DICED TOMATOES WITH GREEN CHILES, A LITTLE TOMATO SAUCE, AND SOME CREAM TO MAKE IT NICE AND THICK AND CREAMY.

IN HERE GO--WE'RE GONNA TOP OUR ENCHILADAS WITH.

SO I'VE GOT MY LITTLE PAN, WHICH YOU NEED TO USE A NICE NONSTICK PAN THAT-- I LIKE TO USE THESE SMALLER ONES AND MAKE LITTLE, SMALLER CREPES.

SO WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT'S GOING WELL HERE.

AND THEN WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE JUST GONNA POUR ABOUT 1/4 CUP OF YOUR MIXTURE INTO THE CENTER OF YOUR PAN.

AND THEN-- SO THAT'S ABOUT--THAT'S GOOD.

AND THEN YOU'RE JUST GONNA TAKE YOUR PAN, AND YOU'RE JUST GONNA TILT IT ALL THE WAY AROUND IN A CIRCLE UNTIL YOU'VE COVERED THE WHOLE BOTTOM.

'CAUSE CREPES ARE GONNA BE PRETTY THIN.

SO YOU DON'T WANT-- SO YOU WANT TO JUST THIN IT OUT.

AND IT'S KIND OF FUN TO DO.

YOU GET THE HANG OF IT.

THE FIRST COUPLE, YOU KNOW, CAN BE, LIKE, YOUR TRIALS.

AND THEN YOU'RE JUST GONNA LET THAT DRY.

SO YOU'RE GONNA LET IT DRY, AND IT'LL BE NICE AND DRY AROUND THE EDGES.

AND THEN YOU'RE JUST GONNA FLIP IT OVER, JUST TO DRY THE BACK-- THE OTHER SIDE REALLY QUICK.

SO WHAT I'VE DONE IS, I'VE GONE AHEAD AND MADE MINE AHEAD OF TIME.

AND YOU CAN SEE, THESE ARE REALLY THICK, AND THEY'RE SAVORY, SO YOU CAN FILL 'EM WITH ANYTHING YOU WANT.

ANY TYPE OF FISH WOULD BE GREAT IN HERE.

SO THEN I'M JUST GONNA TAKE MY MIXTURE AND RUN IT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF MINE.

AND THEN YOU JUST TAKE IT, AND YOU JUST ROLL IT UP.

AND YOU PUT IT INTO YOUR CASSEROLE DISH.

YOU CAN MAKE A BIG CASSEROLE IF YOU WANT.

OR I LIKE TO USE MINE-- JUST MAKE LITTLE INDIVIDUAL ONES.

AND LET'S MAKE ONE MORE.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TOP IT WITH OUR TOMATO SAUCE HERE.

AND YOU CAN SPICE IT UP IF YOU WANT 'EM A LITTLE SPICY.

THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA TOP IT WITH OUR SAUCE.

PUT SOME SHREDDED MOZZARELLA-- MONTEREY JACK CHEESE.

AND POP THIS IN THE OVEN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AT 350 DEGREES.

AND YOU HAVE DINNER.

IT'S GREAT.

YOU CAN SEE HOW OUR CREPE IS ALL NICE AND DRY.

AND THEN WHAT YOU CAN DO IS, YOU CAN JUST FLIP IT OVER.

QUICK AND EASY.

LIKE I SAID, JUST GO AHEAD AND MAKE A WHOLE BUNCH AT ONE TIME, AND YOU'LL JUST HAVE 'EM IN YOUR FREEZER, AND YOU'LL BE READY TO GO AT ANY TIME.

SO THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT COMES OUT OF THE OVEN.

WE'VE BAKED IT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, JUST UNTIL THE CHEESE IS MELTED SO THAT IT'S NICE AND HOT AND BUBBLY THROUGHOUT.

QUICK, EASY, AND IT'S A WONDERFUL MEAL.

IT'S GREAT TO TAKE TO SOMEONE IF YOU WANT.

OR IT'S GREAT TO ENJOY AT HOME AS WELL.

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

- DONNA, YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE US, THAT'S FOR SURE.

JOE, LET'S GO BACK TO THE RIVER-- THE NEUSE RIVER.

- YEAH, AGAIN, WE HAD A GOOD MORNING ON THE RIVER.

AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE POPULATION OF STRIPERS THAT YOU CATCH HERE ON THIS RIVER-- ON THE NEUSE RIVER-- AS OPPOSED TO, SAY, THE ROANOKE.

THE WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION HAS AN ONGOING STOCKING PROGRAM ON THE NEUSE, TRYING TO BUILD THAT POPULATION UP.

UNLIKE THE ROANOKE, WHICH HAS-- ITS NATURAL SPAWNING POPULATIONS NOW SUSTAIN THAT POPULATION.

AND IT REMAINS TO BE A GOOD FISHERY UP THERE.

SO WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THE NEUSE ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT-- IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT SITUATION, MORE OF A STOCKED FISH SITUATION THAN, SAY, THE ROANOKE.

BUT THE FISH, I MEAN, YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

THEY'RE EQUALLY AS GOOD ON THE END OF THE ROD AS THE ROANOKE POPULATION.

BUT GARY'S GOT A GOOD FISHERY THERE.

IT STARTS IN-- THAT PART OF THE RIVER-- STARTS IN MARCH AND CAN GO TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

HE MOVES WITH THE FISH.

EARLIER IN-- THROUGH THE WINTER, HE'S ACTUALLY FISHING FOR 'EM UP THE TRENT RIVER, WHICH IS ANOTHER GOOD STRIPER FISHERY AT A DIFFERENT TIME OF YEAR.

BUT GIVE HIM A CALL.

IT YOU'VE NEVER CAUGHT STRIPERS BEFORE, THAT'S A GOOD TIME OF THE YEAR TO GO.

IT'S EARLY IN THE SEASON.

GET YOU GOING FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON, AND HE'LL PUT YOU ON FISH.

- JUST ANOTHER GOOD DAY OF FISHING IN NORTH CAROLINA.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

WE THANK YOU 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.

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