[PIANO INTRO] - FEELS TROUT-ISH.

- TROUT-ISH?

- YES, SIR.

- WELL, LET ME DO YOU THE HONOR.

I'VE GOT MY ROD OVER.

DON'T MESS WITH THAT.

LET ME DO YOU THE HONORS.

NICE ONE.

- [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, AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, IF YOU LIKE TROUT FISHING, YOU'RE GONNA ENJOY TODAY'S SHOW.

BUT, JOE, WE'RE KIND OF IN BETWEEN SEASONS HERE.

IS THAT RIGHT?

- WELL, WE ARE.

WE'RE IN OCTOBER, AND THAT'S GENERALLY THE TIME WE START SEEING A DIP IN-- THE WATER TEMPERATURE STARTS GOING DOWN, AND THE FISH GET MORE ACTIVE.

WE'RE COMING OUT OF THE SUMMERTIME, AND THE FISHING REALLY DOES START GETTING GOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR SPECKLED TROUT AND A COUPLE OTHER FISH WE CATCH THIS DAY.

TO START THE DAY OFF, WE CATCH RED DRUM AND FLOUNDER, AND THEN WE GO RIGHT INTO THE TROUT.

BUT A LOT OF FUN, A REAL PRETTY AREA OF THE COAST.

THIS IS THE MOUTH OF THE NEUSE RIVER, WHERE YOU FISH IN MARSH SHORELINES.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES ON THE COAST.

AND WE ENDED UP FINDING THE TROUT AND HAD A GOOD DAY.

- WHAT ABOUT GEAR TIME TODAY?

- THE GUYS WILL SHARE WITH US, OF COURSE, THE TACKLE THAT THEY LIKE TO USE FOR THIS TYPE OF FISHING AND ALSO THE SOFT BAITS.

D.O.A.

IS A BRAND THAT THEY LIKE TO USE.

IT WORKS REALLY WELL FOR TROUT.

AND MAINLY SOFT BAITS TODAY, AND THEY'LL TALK ABOUT HOW THEY FISHED THEM.

- AND DONNA'S RECIPE WITH TROUT?

- A GOOD, REALLY TASTY TROUT RECIPE, A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN I-- THAN WE'VE SEEN FROM HER HERE RECENTLY BUT VERY TASTY.

- ALL RIGHT, WE GOT A LOT GOING ON, SO LET'S GO FISHING ON A CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- HERE WE ARE IN OCTOBER.

BEAUTIFUL OCTOBER DAY.

LITTLE WARM.

- ABOUT SECOND CAST, I BELIEVE TOO, BULL.

- YEAH, MAN.

- WE GOT A START OF A GOOD MORNING.

- WELL, I HOPE SO.

WE'VE GOT SOMETHING HERE.

- WHAT DO YOU GOT?

- WE GOT A FLOUNDER.

- YOU GOT A FLOUNDER.

- WE'RE TROUT FISHING AND CAUGHT A FLOUNDER.

- FLAT FISH.

FLAT FISH.

NOW, YOU GET HIM.

I'M GONNA GO AND TRY AND FIGHT ON ONE OF THE SPOTTED BOYS.

- YEAH, YOU DO THAT NOW.

- PRETTY, THOUGH.

- YEAH.

- THESE FLOUNDER UP IN THIS RIVER GET SO MUCH THICKER.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL THE BAIT OR NOT, BUT COMPARED TO WHAT WE GET OUT THERE AROUND THE INLETS... - OH, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

NOW, IF YOU HAD A LITTLE CRABMEAT... - OH, YEAH.

- YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK TWICE ABOUT PUTTING HIM IN A COOLER.

- OH, YEAH.

- IT'S ABOUT A-- ABOUT A LEGAL FISH.

LITTLE BIT OF POTATOES AND ONIONS AIN'T BAD EITHER.

- NOPE.

GOOD DEAL.

WELL, I FOUND SOME BAIT.

FOUND A FISH HERE RIGHT AWAY.

LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE IS IN THERE WITH HIM.

- LET'S KEEP MOVING DOWN.

WHAT DO YOU GOT NOW, GARY?

- WELL... - TROUT OR A DRUM?

- I DON'T KNOW IF WE GOT A TROUT OR A DRUM HERE.

- HECK, I'M NOT SURE.

I'M... - I THINK WE GOT A DRUM.

- I THINK YOU'RE WORKING ON A SLAM.

- YEAH.

- WORKING ON A SLAM.

- ACTING VERY PUPPY DRUM-ISH.

THAT'S BECAUSE... - YEP.

- THAT'S WHAT HE IS.

- NICE FISH, DAVE.

- YEAH, MAYBE 16 TO 18.

16, PROBABLY, HUH?

- EH, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT-- A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE SLOT BUT NOT... - YEAH.

- NOT A HUGE FISH, BUT... - WELL, ONE THING, DAVE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE TROUT FISHING, THROWING THESE SOFT PLASTIC BAITS LIKE WE ARE, YOU CAN CATCH ANYTHING.

YOU CAN GET PUPPY DRUMS, FLOUNDERS, SOMETIMES SOME GREAT TROUT.

- THAT'S A GOOD THING.

- YOU NEVER KNOW.

- GOOD THING TO CALL IT A MIXED BAG... - YES, SIR.

- WHEN YOU COME OUT THROUGH HERE, THE SAME BAIT, THE SAME TECHNIQUES, YOU'RE GONNA CATCH A VARIETY OF FISH.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT NOW WORKING ON A SLAM IF WE CAN GET ON A NICE TROUT, HUH?

- YES, SIR.

LET HIM SLIDE BACK IN HERE.

OFF WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

- WELL, GOOD JOB.

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT BEING YOUR NET MAN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW HOW TO NET OUR OWN FISH, RIGHT?

- ABSOLUTELY.

- OKAY.

- COME ON, NOW.

CATCH US A TROUT.

- GARY, THIS MID-OCTOBER FISHING IS REALLY GOOD.

WHEN WE GET TO TRANSITION TO THESE FISH, YOU KNOW, MOVING BACK IN THESE ESTUARIES AND ALL, SOME COMING IN OFF OF THE OCEAN, FEEDING UP ON THIS BAIT THAT GETS PILED IN HERE, BUT IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH NUMEROUS DIFFERENT SPECIES OF FISH AND GOOD QUANTITIES OF THEM.

- YEAH, DAVE.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE'RE WORKING DOWN JUST ONE OF THE SHORELINES HERE ON THE NEUSE RIVER.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE GOT MID TO LOW 60-DEGREE WATER TEMPERATURE, IDEAL FOR THESE FISH TO BE AGGRESSIVE.

A LOT OF BAIT AROUND.

AND, YOU KNOW, WITH THESE SOFT PLASTICS, WE'RE ABLE TO JUST, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY SEARCH DOWN THESE BANKS.

AND, YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR FISH HERE WILL GET MIXED TOGETHER, SO, YOU KNOW, ONE CAST COULD BE A PUPPY DRUM, AND THE NEXT CAST CAN BE THREE TROUT, AND YOU NEVER KNOW.

SO IT GIVES YOU A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, CERTAINLY, TO CATCH A NICE VARIETY OF FISH AND PLENTY OF FISH AS WELL.

- OH, YEAH.

THAT'S A NICE TROUT.

- YES, SIR.

- I MIGHT HAVE TO GO JERK SHAD.

I MIGHT GET OFF OF THIS SWIM TAIL.

NICE FISH.

- KIND OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR TODAY.

- YEAH.

- YEAH.

PRETTY SPECKLED TROUT.

I'M GONNA GET HIM UNDONE HERE AND BACK IN THE WATER.

- NOW, GARY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD THIS YEAR WITH THE TROUT.

WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE MORE TABLE FARE, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR FOUR-FISH LIMIT.

GOOD-QUALITY FISH, AND THEY'VE GROWN UP OUT OF THESE SMALL FISH WE'VE BEEN SEEING ALL WINTER LAST WINTER.

- ABSOLUTELY.

YEAH, NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT SIZE FISH AT ALL.

GOOD DEAL.

SEE IF WE CAN'T CATCH ANOTHER ONE OR GET A FOURTH SPECIES.

WE NEVER KNOW HERE THIS MORNING.

ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.

WHAT YOU GOT THERE?

- I DON'T KNOW.

GOT A FISH.

FISH ON!

- LOOKS LIKE A TROUT.

- FISH ON!

- LOOKS LIKE A TROUT.

- HEY, I TOLD YOU WE'D NET HER IN.

NICE ONE TOO.

- I DON'T MIND HELPING YOU.

NOW, JUST GET-- JUST KEEP THE NET RIGHT THERE CLOSE TO ME.

WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

- I DON'T MIND HELPING.

- WELL, NET ONE FOR ME, GARY.

THERE YOU GO, BABY.

- I'M TRYING TO BE NEIGHBORLY NOW.

- YOU ARE BEING NEIGHBORLY.

YOU SUCH A FINE NEIGHBOR TO HAVE ON THE BOAT WITH ME.

- THAT'S A NICE FISH.

ISN'T THAT ON FIRE?

- BIT THAT JIG PRETTY.

- YES, SIR.

- HEALTHY.

LOOK HOW FAT THEY ARE.

- BEAUTIFUL.

- AND WE'LL LET HIM BACK OVER.

HOLD THAT NET FOR ME THERE.

NOW, WE'LL GET HIM BACK OVERBOARD AND LET HIM-- LET HIM SWIM OFF, GROW UP.

BUT THAT IS-- THAT'S A LEGAL FISH.

YOU KNOW, IT'S TABLE FARE FOR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, UNDER THE LIMIT.

BUT WE'RE GONNA LET HIM GROW UP.

- FEELS TROUT-ISH.

- TROUT-ISH?

- YES, SIR.

- WELL, LET ME DO YOU THE HONOR.

I'VE GOT MY ROD OVER.

DON'T MESS WITH THAT.

LET ME DO YOU THE HONORS.

NICE ONE.

NICE FISH.

- THANK YOU, SIR.

I SURE DO APPRECIATE THAT.

- THAT'S THE PRETTIEST ONE OF THE DAY, GARY.

- I'M GONNA GET HIM OUT OF HERE, GET HIM BACK IN THE WATER.

- YEAH, DON'T GET ALL TANGLED UP AND HOLD ME UP, NOW.

- WELL, YOU WERE SO KIND TO-- YOU WERE SO KIND TO HELP ME OUT, I'D HATE TO NOT GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET IN THERE AND GET ONE OF THESE.

- YEAH.

- BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- GOOD JOB.

- SLIDE RIGHT IN.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD DEAL, BUDDY.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T DO ANOTHER ONE HERE REAL QUICK.

- WELL, LET ME GET IN THE WATER, THEN, JUST TO SEE.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THIS FISH WASN'T--THAT WAS OUT OFF THE BANK, WASN'T IT?

- YEAH, A LITTLE BIT-- A LITTLE BIT OFF THE BANK.

WELL, JUST MISSED ANOTHER ONE RIGHT THERE.

GET THIS POWER-POLE DOWN.

KIND OF STICK US HERE FOR A SECOND.

ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA, YOU GET A BITE OR TWO, DON'T BE IN A HURRY TO RUSH OFF.

YOU COULD'VE JUST FOUND YOU A SCHOOL OF THEM.

- STICK THE POLE DOWN AND HANG OUT.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- NICE FISH, GARY.

- JUMPER.

- THAT'S A JUMPER.

HAVE YOU GOT A TARPON?

- IT'S TARPON TROUT.

- TARPON TROUT.

PUT HIM RIGHT THERE.

NICE.

NICE.

NICE, BABY.

- THANK YOU, SIR.

- OOH.

- THAT'S A LITTLE MORE BETTER.

- WHOA, THAT'S MORE BETTER.

- NOW, THAT'S WHAT I CALL A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

- YEP.

- BEAUTIFUL TROUT THERE.

BEAUTIFUL TROUT.

- THAT IS.

THAT'S THE KIND YOU LOVE TO SEE.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- YOU GONNA NEED A LITTLE ASSISTANCE WITH THAT OR... - YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU GRAB ME A PAIR OF FORCEPS, IF YOU WOULD?

MAKE SURE WE DON'T HURT... - THAT'S RIGHT.

- HURT THIS PRETTY GIRL HERE.

NOW, SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, I KNOW A LOT OF OUR CLIENTS ASK ALL THE TIME-- YOU KNOW, I JUST CALLED IT A GIRL.

AND PEOPLE SAY, "WELL, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT'S A GIRL?"

BECAUSE UNLIKE HUMANS, THE GIRLS DON'T TALK.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

- HOW WAS THAT FOR A NICE RELEASE?

- AND OOPS.

- HOW WAS THAT FOR A NICE RELEASE?

- AND THEM GIRLS ARE FEISTY TOO, AREN'T THEY?

- YES, THEY ARE.

SEE?

I MADE A SMART COMMENT, AND THAT'S WHAT I GET.

- SLAPPED IN THE FACE.

- SLAPPED IN THE FACE, AND OVER THE SIDE OF THE BOAT SHE GOES.

- [laughing] - AND DESERVINGLY SO.

- WELL, PRETTY FISH THERE.

DO YOU NEED THE NET?

- SURE, I NEED THE NET.

- SURE, YOU NEED THE NET.

- I THINK WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THAT THEORY OF... - NET YOUR OWN.

- WELL, I SEEM TO BE KEEPING YOU OCCUPIED HERE A LITTLE BIT.

- WELL, YOU, YOU GOT THE MOMENTUM GOING HERE, BUD.

BUT THAT'S OKAY.

- NICE LITTLE-- NICE LITTLE MALE THERE, CROAKING AWAY.

ABOUT 14 INCHES, ABOUT A LEGAL FISH.

- LOADED WITH SPOTS.

- YEP, BEAUTIFUL.

- ARE YOU THROWING THE LIGHTER COLOR?

- YEAH, I GOT THAT GLOW HALO ON THERE.

- UH-HUH.

- DAVE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING THESE SOFT PLASTICS TODAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, BOTH GUYS, WE SEE A LOT OF STUFF.

BUT, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT I NOTICE A LOT WITH MY CLIENTS IS THAT WHEN WE'RE FISHING THE SOFT PLASTIC, THEY DON'T MAINTAIN LINE CONTACT TO THAT BAIT ALL THE TIME.

- HIGHLY CRITICAL.

- AND THAT IS--THAT IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THIS.

IF YOU CAN'T MAINTAIN-- FEEL THAT BAIT ALL THE TIME, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE LETTING IT FALL, YOU'RE GONNA MISS A LOT OF BITES.

YOU'LL MISS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

AND THAT'S--THAT'S PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THING OF ALL.

THAT BEATS CASTING OR ANYTHING ELSE.

FEELING THAT JIG, FEELING THE BITE... BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, 90%, 95% OF YOUR BITES ARE ON THE WAY DOWN.

YOU GOT TO FEEL THAT BITE AS THAT JIG FALLS.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT AGAIN PLAYS IN WITH YOUR GEAR TOO.

SENSITIVITY OF YOUR ROD, BRAIDED LINE, YOU CAN FEEL EVERY LITTLE SLIGHTEST TICK.

BUT WHEN YOU FEEL THAT TICK, YOU NEED TO GO AND SET THE HOOK.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- GOT ANOTHER ONE ON?

- YES, SIR.

- ALL RIGHT.

YOU WANT TO BE SHOW-OFF.

NICE.

NICE, NICE, NICE.

NICE.

- LOOK AT HOW BIG.

- THAT'S QUICK RELEASE, GARY.

- QUICK RELEASE.

- QUICK RELEASE.

- YOU GOT HER?

- YEAH, MAN.

I'M JUST GONNA LOWER THE NET DOWN AND LET HIM GO EASY.

WANTS TO GO BACK IN THE NET.

THERE WE GO.

GOOD DEAL.

- CHECK COLOR.

COLOR MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

- SOME DAYS.

- IT DOES.

FISH ON.

LOST HIM.

- HOW'S THAT?

- I LOST HIM.

- I'M SORRY.

- [laughs] - HEY.

- THAT COLOR'S SMOKING-- - I GOT TO KEEP FISHING.

KEEP FISHING.

- THAT COLOR'S SMOKING HOT, BUD.

- KEEP FISHING.

EVERY DAY'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

EVERY DAY'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

ANOTHER QUALITY SEA TROUT.

SHOOK MY JIG OFF, SHOOK MY PLASTIC OFF.

BUT... ANOTHER QUALITY TROUT.

HAVE TO LEAVE HIM IN THE NET FOR JUST A SECOND.

SLIDE HIM RIGHT BACK IN THE WATER.

GO ON, BOY.

BEAUTIFUL.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THAT WAS A NICE LITTLE RALLY.

- I WISH WE COULD'VE DOUBLED UP.

I WISH I COULD'VE GOT MINE IN.

- YEAH, WELL... - HAD HIM PINNED, CUT ME LOOSE.

BUT HEY.

- HAPPENS SOMETIMES.

YOU KNOW, DOING THIS, DAVE, IT'S REAL IMPORTANT THAT YOU--TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THESE PLASTICS ON HERE STRAIGHT.

YOU DON'T WANT IT SPINNING, DOING THAT HELICOPTER STUFF.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

- SO TAKE YOU A SECOND.

I KNOW THE FISHING'S GOOD SOMETIMES.

TAKE YOU A SECOND TO MAKE SURE THAT BAIT GETS ON THERE NICE AND STRAIGHT.

GET YOU BACK INTO ACTION A LITTLE BIT... - CUT THROUGH THE WATER LIKE A... - LITTLE BIT BETTER.

- LITTLE LIKE A GLASS MINNOW.

YOU GOT HIM?

- I GOT HIM.

- YOU GOT HIM.

- NOT A GIANT BUT A NICE LITTLE SPECKLED TROUT.

HOOKED PERFECTLY IN THE MOUTH HERE.

NOW, DAVE, THIS KIND OF BRINGS UP A THOUGHT.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT-- ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FEELING THE BITE AND SETTING THE HOOK.

BUT A LOT OF MY CLIENTS THINK A SPECKLED TROUT KIND OF NIBBLES AT THIS BAIT.

AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THAT BAIT IS RIGHT THERE.

YOU KNOW, THEIR MOUTH OPENS UP REALLY WIDE.

THEY'RE LIKE A VACUUM.

THEY SUCK THAT BAIT IN.

THEY'RE NOT PUSHING THROUGH THE BAIT.

THEY GOT THOSE EYES SITTING WAY FORWARD.

THEY CAN JUDGE DISTANCE REAL WELL.

SO WHEN YOU FEEL THAT TICK, THAT BAIT'S IN HIS MOUTH RIGHT THERE.

YOU KNOW, I FELT THE TICK, SET THE HOOK.

PERFECT HOOK-SET, RIGHT IN THE ROOF OF HIS MOUTH.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT TO-- YOU DON'T WANT TO HESITATE ON THESE FISH.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A MISTAKE A LOT OF MY CLIENTS MAKE.

- WELL, IF YOU HESITATE, YOU'RE APT TO LOSE A WHOLE LOT OF THEM.

- YES, YOU ARE.

- THEY'LL FLUSH THAT RIGHT OUT QUICK AS THEY SUCK IT IN.

- ABSOLUTELY.

YOU SEE, EVEN HIS TEETH IN THERE, DESIGNED TO HOLD STUFF COMING BACK OUT BUT NOT TO CUT STUFF.

YOU CAN SLIDE IN, BUT YOU CAN'T PULL OUT, YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE THAT DATE FISH.

GOOD DEAL, LITTLE GUY.

LET'S LET YOU GROW UP.

- YEAH.

LET THE LITTLE BOY GROW.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD DEAL.

- GOOD DEAL, BUDDY.

- I GOT SOME LITTLE SPECKLED TROUT OUT THERE, I BELIEVE, GARY.

HE'S A LITTLE ONE.

- THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

- GOT TO TUG ON HIM, IF I DON'T GET WRAPPED UP IN YOU.

- THERE YOU GO.

- YEP, ANOTHER SPECKLE, NOT A GRAY.

NICE LITTLE SPECKLED, THOUGH.

- YES, SIR.

GOOD DEAL, BUDDY.

- HOOKED RIGHT IN THE CORNER OF THE MOUTH PRETTY.

- GROW UP.

- GROW UP, BABY.

AH.

- JOE, TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE TIME OF THE YEAR WE WERE FISHING.

- WELL, AGAIN, THIS IS WHAT I CALL THE TRANSITION PERIOD OF TIME HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE YOU START HAVING THE COLD FRONTS COMING IN.

THIS IS MID- TO LATE OCTOBER, WHERE YOU'RE LEAVING THE WARMER TEMPERATURES OF THE SUMMER, WHERE THE FISH ARE A LITTLE LETHARGIC, A LITTLE SLOWER IN THEIR ACTIVITY.

THE WATER TEMPERATURE IS DROPPING, AND THERE ARE MORE BAITFISH AROUND.

THEY'RE FEEDING UP FOR THE UPCOMING WINTERTIME.

AND SO IT'S JUST A REALLY GOOD TIME TO FISH IN COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA.

AND SO WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT, AND WE HAD A REALLY PRETTY MORNING AND CAUGHT SOME PRETTY FISH.

- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BAITS.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - WELL, DAVE, ANOTHER GOOD FALL DAY OF FISHING HERE ON THE NEUSE RIVER.

A LITTLE SLAM, PRIMARILY FISHING FOR SPECKLED TROUT BUT ENDED UP GETTING SEVERAL OTHER SPECIES OF FISH TO KIND OF GO WITH THE DAY.

- WELL, WE DID.

WE HAD SOME PRETTY QUALITY FISH TOO.

SOME SMALLER FISH BUT SOME REALLY NICE-QUALITY TROUT.

- ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, SOFT PLASTICS WILL DO THAT FOR YOU.

YOU'LL CATCH ALL SORTS WITH THEM.

TODAY WE'RE USING THIS JERK-STYLE BAIT, OR FLUKE BAIT, A LOT OF THE BASS GUYS WOULD CALL IT.

D.O.A.

PRODUCT TODAY BUT LOTS OF COMPANIES MAKE THIS STYLE OF BAIT.

A LITTLE-- NOT QUITE AS USER-FRIENDLY.

YOU HAVE TO IMPART MOST OF THE ACTION TO THIS BAIT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, IT CAN BE HIGHLY, HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.

AND REALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPECKLED TROUT BAITS.

- WELL, YOU GOT TO IMPART THE ACTION INTO IT TOO.

BECAUSE OF OUR CONDITIONS HERE WITHOUT A TIDAL FLOW, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IS HANDMADE.

YOU GOT TO MAKE THE ACTION TO IT.

- RIGHT, RIGHT.

WELL, THE WHITE BAIT SEEMED-- THIS WHITE AND SILVER SEEMED TO BE THE BAIT TODAY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A CONFIDENCE THING IN COLOR.

- RIGHT.

- THERE ARE SOME THINGS-- YOU KNOW, CLOUDY DAYS, STAINED WATER, BRIGHTER BAITS, CLEARER WATER, SUNNIER DAYS, THE MORE NATURAL BAITS WORK.

BUT ALL IN ALL, I THINK IT'S THE CONFIDENCE.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT A WHOLE VARIETY OF BAITS WE HAD ON THE BOAT TODAY.

YOU CAUGHT SOME FISH ON THE GREEN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, JUST FINDING THE RIGHT BAIT, SEEING WHAT THEY'RE BITING, AND GOING FROM THERE.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

NOW, TALK ABOUT OUR GEAR A LITTLE BIT TOO.

NOW, RODS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BOTH ON THE TEMPLE FORK RODS.

YOU'VE GOT THE NEW TACTICAL SERIES THERE, THEIR INSHORE ROD.

I'VE STILL GOT ONE OF THE SIGNATURE SERIES BACK HERE.

BUT THE SENSITIVITY OF YOUR TIPS AND EVERYTHING AND YOUR ACTION GIVES YOU SUCH A GOOD FEEL, TO FEEL THAT SLIGHTEST LITTLE TAP OF THE BAIT, COMBINED WITH THE LIGHTER BRAID, WHICH YOU GOT NO STRETCH IN THAT, AND IT HOLDS UP-- HOLDS UP WELL TO THE BITE.

YOU CAN FEEL THAT SLIGHT TANK AND GO ON WITH IT.

- RIGHT, IT'S ALL ABOUT SENSITIVITY, ESPECIALLY ON THESE SOFT PLASTICS.

AND, YOU KNOW, QUALITY EQUIPMENT, QUALITY, SENSITIVE GRAPHITE ROD'S GONNA MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU.

THE BRAID-- TO ME, THE BRAID HAS BEEN A GREAT THING.

YOU KNOW, AND A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN A LOT OF FOLKS DO ON THE BRAID.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE USING REAL LIGHT-- I HAVE TEN-POUND BRAID ON HERE, REALLY SMALL DIAMETER.

FISHES A LOT MORE LIKE MONOFILAMENT BUT GIVES YOU THAT SENSITIVITY.

THE LACK OF STRETCH IN THAT GIVES YOU A BETTER HOOK-SET, AND YOU PUT A LOT MORE FISH IN THE BOAT.

- SURE DO.

- AND, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, PUTTING A QUALITY REEL ON THERE, YOU KNOW, YOU GET A NICE BIG FISH OUT HERE, YOU WANT A QUALITY DRAG.

BUT NICE AND LIGHT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO-- WITH THE BRAIDS, YOU CAN PUT A LOT MORE BREAKING STRENGTH ON A MUCH SMALLER REEL.

- RIGHT.

- MAKES THE OUTFIT LIGHT, MAKES IT SENSITIVE.

WORKS OUT REALLY, REALLY WELL.

- MAKES FOR A GOOD DAY OF FISHING.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- I THINK WE DONE A FAIR JOB TODAY.

- ABSOLUTELY.

GOOD DEAL.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE ABOARD, BUDDY.

- DO IT AGAIN.

- YEAH, MAN.

- WE THANK OUR CAPTAINS FOR ALL THAT VALUABLE INFORMATION.

THE NUMBER'S THERE ON YOUR SCREEN IF YOU'D LIKE TO GIVE THEM A CALL.

I THINK YOU'LL ENJOY FISHING WITH THESE FELLOWS.

NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH A RECIPE USING TROUT.

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

AND WE'RE GOING TO PAN-FRY THIS, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A BROWNED BUTTER WITH WALNUT KIND OF LITTLE SAUCE TO GO OVER THE TOP.

QUICK AND EASY.

SO WE'RE GONNA START OUT WITH OUR FISH FRY.

WE'RE GONNA PLACE THAT ONTO OUR WAX PAPER.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR TROUT.

AND YOU CAN SEE THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL TROUT.

THEY HAVE NICE SKIN.

THEY ARE JUST GORGEOUS.

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA PLACE THAT INTO OUR BREADER AND JUST COAT IT LIGHTLY.

AND WE HAVE OUR OIL GOING OVER HERE IN OUR CAST IRON SKILLET, SO WE'RE GONNA JUST REALLY FLASH-FRY THESE, ACTUALLY.

SO ONCE WE HAVE THEM ALL COATED, WE'RE JUST GONNA SHAKE OFF THE EXCESS.

WE'RE GONNA PUT IT SKIN SIDE DOWN INTO OUR PAN.

SO THERE WE GO.

WE'RE GONNA DO THAT ONE.

WE'LL DO THIS NEXT ONE REALLY QUICK.

AND YOU CAN CUT THESE IN HALF IF YOU WANT.

THESE ARE JUST--I THINK THEY'RE REALLY PRETTY JUST WHOLE.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO CUT THEM IN HALF FOR SERVING PURPOSES, YOU CAN DO THAT.

SO THERE WE GO.

WE HAVE THOSE GOING.

AND SO WHILE THESE ARE PAN-FRYING-- THEY WON'T TAKE BUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES ON EACH SIDE, SO THEY'RE GONNA BE REALLY QUICK.

THEN WE'RE GONNA START WITH OUR BUTTER.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR BUTTER AND PUT IT IN OUR SAUCEPAN.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA SQUEEZE A LITTLE BIT OF LEMON JUICE IN HERE.

WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME FRESH PARSLEY, WHICH WILL ADD SOME NICE COLOR AND FLAVOR, AND THEN SOME TARRAGON IN THERE.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA KIND OF GIVE IT A SWIRL.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD SOME WALNUTS.

AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE WALNUTS, YOU CAN USE OTHER TYPES OF NUTS TOO.

WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT SOME WALNUTS IN HERE.

AND JUST KIND OF CRUSH THEM WITH YOUR HAND.

OOP, THERE GOES ONE DOWN THERE.

JUST GIVE IT A SWIRL.

AND JUST LET IT KIND OF SIMMER ON YOUR BURNER UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO SERVE IT.

YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP IT AT LOW, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BURN YOUR BUTTER OR SCORCH YOUR BUTTER, BECAUSE THEN YOU WILL GET A BURNT FLAVOR INSTEAD OF JUST THE FLAVOR OF THE BUTTER.

SO I THINK OUR TROUT IS READY TO TURN.

WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THAT A TURN.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT'S ALL DONE.

SO THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT'S ALL DONE.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S GREAT-- NICE, GOLDEN BROWN.

WE SERVED IT WITH SOME PARSLEY-- I MEAN SOME FRESH ASPARAGUS THAT WE'VE STEAMED.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA TOP THIS WITH OUR BROWNED BUTTER.

AND YOU CAN SERVE THIS WITH SOME RICE OR SOME PASTA IF YOU'D LIKE.

IT'S JUST A GREAT QUICK DINNER MEAL.

GOES TOGETHER QUICK AND EASILY, AND I THINK YOU'LL REALLY, REALLY ENJOY IT.

IT'LL BE A NICE TREAT.

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

- THANKS, DONNA.

ANOTHER DELICIOUS RECIPE.

JOE, FISHING THAT TIME OF YEAR, HONESTLY, THAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR.

- OH, ABSOLUTELY.

TO BE ON THE COAST, MID-OCTOBER ON... AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON THE COLD FRONTS.

DEPENDS ON HOW FAST WE START COOLING DOWN.

BUT THE FISHING ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY WHERE WE WERE ON THE NEUSE RIVER, PAMLICO RIVER-- ALL OF OUR RIVERS THAT HAVE THESE COASTAL SPECIES LIKE SPECKLED TROUT, RED DRUM, FLOUNDER ALL REALLY START PICKING UP.

THE FISHING PICKS UP.

AND IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, GETTING OUT AND DOING IT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS BY BOAT, YOU KNOW, GIVE OUR CAPTAINS TODAY A CALL.

THEY SPECIALIZE IN THIS TYPE OF FISHING.

AND IT REALLY IS A LOT OF FUN, SOME GREAT SCENERY, GREAT FISH ON THE TABLE AS TABLE FARE.

BUT IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME TO BE IN COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA, MID-OCTOBER RIGHT ON THROUGH CHRISTMAS, AGAIN, DEPENDING ON HOW FAST WE COOL DOWN.

AS LONG AS THAT WATER TEMPERATURE STAYS TO THEIR LIKING AND THERE'S LOTS OF BAITFISH AROUND, YOU'LL CATCH FISH.

- GOOD DAY OF FISHING IN THE GREAT STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

WE 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] ♪