Carolina Outdoor Journal – Season 4

In this premiere episode of season 4 of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, Captain John Huff and Seth Vernon fly fish the beaches of Carolina for big Red Drum. After arriving to a sunny day of flat calm water, they chase the tides through the shallows looking for feeding pods of drum on the surface. After a change of tactics, they find themselves surrounded by hundreds of feeding fish, and soon hook into the trophy they’ve been looking for. In gear time, we discuss how to determine the best fly based on behaviour, and Donna cooks a unique duck recipe in the kitchen.

The next generation of anglers joins this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, as Captain Ricky Kellum goes crappie fishing with a young protégé. 8-year-old Davis Boyd is leading the way on this little pond in Wilson, North Carolina. The boys head out with popping corks and jigs, and Davis shows Ricky up with the biggest fish of the session. In gear time they discuss the light tackle that makes crappie fishing so fun, and Donna shares her fish pot pie recipe.

The Carolina Outdoor Journal visits the Catawba River in search of Brown Trout on nymphs. Steve Henson joins Wilson Gabriel on a high and muddy river after a storm. Difficult conditions which require unique nymphing and streamer tactics, which they discuss in gear time. Using the drift boat to position themselves in the rocks and ripples where the Trout feed, Steve soon finds success. Donna closes the show with a special recipe for Rainbow Trout with a special sauce.

Carolina Outdoor Journal goes fishing for big ‘Pumpkin Seeds’ on the fly on Lake Phelps, North Carolina. Joe Jenkins and Mike Noles have great fun wading through the shallows looking for pods of these small predators, also known as Sun Fish. After locating some feeders in a backwater, they short line popping bugs from the long grass and get into some of the biggest Pumpkins in the country. In gear time they discuss their ultralight gear, and Donna cooks up Cornbread with a twist in the kitchen.

In this episode of the Journal, Chuck Laughridge and Joe Shute fish for massive Sharks on fly tackle. It’s not often you can catch a 100-pound fish on fly tackle, but Shark Island off the Carolina coast is the perfect place to do it. Some hungry customers approach the boat after the boys chum the water, and Chuck’s soon in for a lengthy battle. They discuss the heavy-duty tackle in gear time, and Donna cooks up some delicious Scallops on the kitchen.

Captain Gary Dubiel and Kurt Hinchman test their tackle fishing for massive Red Drum in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal. Popping Corks are a new method to North Carolina’s Neuse River, so the boys discuss their strange tackle in gear time. They quickly find they need a bigger net, as both men soon hook in to Drum over 50 pounds! Meanwhile, Donna cooks up and citrus shrimp salad recipe.

This episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal joins Captain Richard Andrews and Marty Evans fishing for Striped Bass on Carolina’s Roanoke River. It’s young Marty’s first time on the Roanoke, and his first-time fishing for Striped Bass. In gear time Richard takes him through the rods, reels and soft plastics they need, and both men get into some nice fish among the submerged treelines. Donna closes the show with a Fish stew recipe.

The Carolina Outdoor Journal joins two fishing veterans fly fishing for a variety of species on small ponds. Joe Jenkins and Mack Dupree begin their weekend on a beautiful treelined Mill Pond, but the sun is high, and the fishing is difficult. The next day they head for a local Farm lake to search for the deeper water where the fish are hiding from the heat. Popping lures on ultralight tackle produces Bream, a surprise largemouth, and some very large Bluegill. They discuss their lures in gear time, while Donna mixes it up with a delicious venison meal in the kitchen.

The Shad are running the river in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, so Bill Powell and Tom Baines head for Rocky Mount to fish with lures. The bigger White Shad are prevalent in the springtime, and Rocky Mount is the best place to catch them. After beginning the day with a double hook-up, Bill and Tom discuss the simple spoon and dart rigs they’re using. In the kitchen, Donna prepares another delicious recipe for scallops.

This week on Carolina Outdoor Journal we’ll fish a very special place for Largemouth Bass. Robert Fulton joins Jim from the Kingfisher Society, who’s fisheries have become a mecca for Bass fisherman across Carolina. Fishing with topwater frogs isn’t a typical method in the spring, but these lakes and swamps are so crammed with hungry fish that the action comes thick and fast. After discussing these unique lures in gear talk, we join Donna Reynolds in the kitchen as she prepares a Tuna salad recipe.

This episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal goes back to basics pier fishing with Ted Moseley and Ron Bennett. Carolinas longest pier offers multiple fishing opportunities, but Ted and Ron decide to fish for Mullet and Spotted Trout as they migrate through the deeper waters. In gear time they discuss the unique lures and tactics needed when approaching pier fishing, and Donna cooks grouper in the kitchen.

Joel Richardson and Paul Rose bag up through tough conditions in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, fishing for Largemouth Bass with Crankbaits. High Rock is a big, old lake with big, old Bass, but a cold front and low water levels make things tricky. Joel knows the lake well, so they target the sunken boulders in the shallows close to shore with Deepwater crank baits. When a shoal of bait breaks the surface, both men adapt their tactics and start getting into the big fish, which they discuss in gear time. In the kitchen, Donna closes the show with a unique recipe for a fish reuben sandwich.

This unusual episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal sees Chuck and Tommy join Captain Mitchell Blake fly fishing for big prehistoric Gar. The Longnose Gar are one of the best and biggest fishing opportunities in the Carolina winter, especially on a fly rod. They look at the heavy rods, sinking lines and monster lures, which come in handy when both men hook into some seriously powerful fish. Back in the kitchen, Donna shares a recipe for breaded Grouper.

In this episode of the journal, Jim Hardin joins Captain Anthony Ng for an explosive session fishing for Albacore at Cape Lookout. It’s Autumn and the fish are feeding hard in the waters around the coast. The boys load up with light spinning rods and heavy tackle as birds smash the surface of the water in a feeding frenzy, leading to an incredible session. In gear time, they discuss how to deal with the Tuna’s intense speed and power, and Donna prepares her signature spicy seafood salad.

In this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, Neal Stockton and Joel Richardson cast lures for big Crappie on Kerr Lake. It’s not typical to fish for Crappie in the heat of summer, but Joel knows there’s a huge population of fish to four pounds feeding in the shallows around Buggs Island. By using a countdown method with their cast, Joel and Neal both have great sport on small jigs, which they explore in gear time. Back in the studio, Donna closes the show with a special recipe for spinach and Catfish.

Paul Rose joins Captain Craig Price on Lake Norman fishing for winter Striped Bass Hybrids, in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal. This special White Bass and Striped Bass Hybrid species has been growing in size and popularity on Lake Norman, So Paul and Craig begin trawling through the cold misty water looking for shoals. They suddenly open the day with a double hook-up, which sets the tone for a great session. In gear time they discuss how to locate the feeding fish, and Donna prepares a hot crab dip recipe.

Captain Stu Caulder and Walker Goulder are fishing for Cobia in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, as they drift the Masonboro Inlet with live baits. It's Springtime and the Cobia are making their way up the Carolina Coast to spawn. After casting nets for bait in the harbour, Stu and Walker drift the tide and quickly intercept some very big fish. After discussing their methods in gear time, Donna cooks up a new scallop recipe in the kitchen.

In this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, Steve Hensen joins Andrew Tashie dry fly fishing for Rainbow Trout on The Watauga River. The waters of the Watauga along the Tennessee border are muddled with hatching Caddis fly, a prolific and exciting event on almost any of the world’s trout rivers. Steve and Andrew boat down the river finding promising pools, exploring presentation, fly choice and insect type. After both anglers land some stunning fish, Donna honours the show with a bacon wrapped trout recipe in the kitchen.

Captain Stu Calder and Walker Goulder go fishing in manmade structures for Redfish with live baits, in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal. The public piers and docks of Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina can be a more productive fishing spot that any other. Stu and Walker explore how to use live baits, selecting a location, avoiding snags and reading the water as they land a great haul of feisty puppy drum. Back in the kitchen, Donna prepares tacos with fish and shrimp.

Paul Rose and Jerry Nelley experiment with trolling for Catfish on Lake Wylie in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal. Usually a docile species, trolling isn’t a commonly used method for these fish. Paul and Jerry discuss their theories, homemade gear, favourite baits and fish finding technology. After landing some smaller Channel cats in the shallows, the duo push into deeper waters in search of a big blue, which soon sees Jerry hooked into the biggest Catfish of his life. In the kitchen, Donna shares a recipe for the catch of the day.

Captain George Beckwith takes his wife Anna on a date fishing for Flounder in the backwaters of Carolina in this episode of the Journal. Having never caught a Flatfish, George begins teaching Anna a strange method of active live bait fishing with fingerling Mullet. After having great success with Flounder and lively puppy drum, the couple discuss striking techniques, tackle and fish habitat. In the kitchen shar recipe for southern fried fish salad.

In this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, Kurt Hinchman and Joel Richardson fish for big Striped Bass and Largemouth during a cold front on Virginia’s Kerr Lake. The biggest lake in the state is a daunting task during a snowstorm. Fishing soft plastics from the boat, Kurt and Joel move along the bays looking for structure. They discuss how to move lethargic fish, tackle theories and maximising catches from a spot. After some healthy Striped Bass, the snow clears, feeding birds move in and Joel hooks one of the biggest Largemouth of his life. Back in the kitchen, Donna prepares her new recipe for Trout.

Kurt Hinchman and Bob Lusk go fishing for Chain Pickerel on a mill pond in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal. A variant of the Pike, these predators are a common but underappreciated fish across the southern states. Kurt and Bob begin casting spinners and lures amongst the snags, exploring popular lures, retrieve rates and location. After great Pickerel fishing and even some surprise Bass, Donna prepares fresh Red Snapper and tomatoes in the kitchen.

In this episode of the journal, Captains Gary Dubiel and Dave Stewart fish for Speckled Trout in the mouth of the Neuse River in the transition season. The cooling water along the Carolina coast has pushed bait and predators alike into the estuarires; the perfect opportunity for catching all manner of fish. While discussing tackle choices, lures and braided lines, the pair bounce jigs along the sand, which tempts aggressive Trout, Red Drum and even Flounder. Back in the kitchen, Donna prepares the catch of the day.

The Carolina Outdoor Journal crew enjoy the height of sport fishing trolling lures for Dorado and Marlin in the Gulf Stream. Kurt Hinchman and Robert Wiggins join Alan Willis and his crew on their luxury charter, beginning flying kites and live baits for Tuna. When changing weather make fishing difficult, the anglers switch to trolling methods and soon fill the cooler with big Dorado. After looking at the big, strong tackle required in the Gulf, Robert finds himself in a dangerous battle with the King of the sea, the Blue Marlin. Back in the kitchen, Donna demonstrates a recipe for Mahi Mahi.

Joe Dorman and Tom Morketter experiment with beetlespin lures in this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, fishing a pond for Bass and Panfish. Springtime in Cumberland County can be tricky, but Joe and Tom have confidence in this underrated method. They discuss their use of lines, lures and retrieve techniques while catching Crappie, Bream, Bluegill and Largemouth. They switch up their lures and fish a snag, and the bigger fish begin to bite. Back in the studio, Donna shares a recipe for juicy wild Duck.

In this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, Lure designer Mark Nichols tests his newest products fishing for Speckled Trout in Oregon with Gary Dubiel. The cold November water makes for difficult fishing, but the pair discuss their plan of slow retrieves, downsizing lures, colour variety while sharing what they’ve learned in the industry. As the weather warms the Trout get bigger, and even Flounder come on the feed. Donna closes the show with a Fish sandwich recipe using the catch of the day.

Roger Lowe, Steve Hensen and Larry Tombaugh head for Carolina’s Tucksegee River to fly fish for Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout. A caddis fly hatch has the Trout moving on the surface, so Steve tackles up with a famous and effective dry-dropper setup, which Larry and Roger use to full effect wading in the long pools. After discussing their tackle and theories, they board the raft to fish deeper holes with weighted lures, and with every catch the fish push closer to trophy sizes. In the kitchen, Donna prepares Smoked Trout.

In this episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, three anglers try fly fishing for Striped Bass in the cold rivers of the Albemarle Sound. It’s February, so Chuck Laughridge, Tommy Bennett and Captain Mitchell Blake trial fishing with sinking lines and big minnow lures along the bottom. After almost immediately hooking a good fish, the session becomes a red letter day of hard fighting Bass and a surprising life first capture for Tommy. After discussing the required tackle, we join Donna in the kitchen for fish tacos with a twist.

In this series finale episode of The Carolina Outdoor Journal, Bryan Dehart joins Ted Mosely fishing for big topwater Bass on a Carolina Pond. It’s May, and the fish are at their most active. While experimenting with a variety of surface baits, the boys make their way along the structured margins. Both men find their magic bait and catch a number of trophy sized Largemouth, proving why Bass are America’s favourite fish. In the kitchen, Donna shares a hearty recipe for venison and biscuits.