Ep 6. Beard Gone Grabbling

In this episode of Off the Hook: Extreme Catches, titled "Beard Gone Grabbling," host Eric Young heads to Mississippi to try his hand at "noodling," a type of hand fishing where one must reach into underwater holes to grab catfish with their bare hands. Along for the ride is none other than the "King of the Hillbilly Handfishin'" himself, Skipper Bivins.

Eric and Skipper begin by exploring some potential noodling spots in a backwater section of the Mississippi River. After some unsuccessful attempts, they come across a promising hole and Eric decides to take the plunge. He wades into the water and sticks his arm into the hole, feeling around for a catfish. Suddenly, he feels something latch onto his arm and starts to panic. But as he pulls his arm out of the hole, he realizes that he's actually caught a snapping turtle instead.

Undeterred, Eric and Skipper continue their search for catfish, even venturing into a Louisiana bayou in search of bigger fish. Here, they team up with local guides who show them how to use a technique called "sinker fishing," which involves rigging up a line with a heavy weight and dropping it to the bottom of the river. The weight sinks into the mud, creating a disturbance that attracts the catfish. When a fish bites, the angler must jerk the line out of the mud and reel in the catch.

As they fish, Eric and Skipper reflect on the dangers of noodling and the many hazards that lurk beneath the surface of the water. One of the biggest risks is encountering an alligator snapping turtle, a prehistoric-looking beast with a powerful bite that can break bones and inflict serious injury. Eric admits that noodling is not for the faint of heart, but he's determined to catch a catfish using this unique technique.

After a long day of fishing, Eric and Skipper finally get their big break. They come across a giant catfish that's been wallowing in the mud, and Eric decides to try his luck with noodling once again. This time, he's successful, emerging from the water with a massive catfish in his arms. The fish weighs more than 50 pounds and takes both Eric and Skipper to hoist it onto the boat.

Overall, "Beard Gone Grabbling" is a thrilling episode that showcases the unique and sometimes dangerous world of extreme fishing. Eric's humor and enthusiasm make for an entertaining watch, while his willingness to take risks and tackle new challenges is inspiring. Anyone who loves fishing or simply enjoys watching adrenaline-fueled outdoor adventures will find plenty to enjoy in this episode.