Big catch helps angler land TV spot

How did a 62-pound catfish help a retired Army medic land his own TV series?

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For Ralph Barbee, his record catch at Clarks Hill Lake 23 years ago confirmed what he knew all along.

"Getting my own fishing show is something I wanted to do my whole life, and when I caught blue cat, I knew I had what it took to go on TV," Barbee said. "I wanted to do a learning show that showed people how they could do it, too."

After years of appearing on a weekly fishing segment for WRDW News Channel 12, Barbee eventually landed enough sponsors and backing from Comcast to produce his own series.

Fishing with Ralph Barbee airs three times a week on Comcast. The half-hour show can be seen on Comcast Channel 4 at 10 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and 8 p.m. Saturdays.

Barbee tapes a new show each month, primarily on location at Thurmond Lake, as he and guest anglers offer their tips and tricks of the trade.

Recent shows also have featured shark fishing off Hilton Head Island, S.C., and a look the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' striper breeding program in Charleston.

"We show people how to catch fish, what tackle to use, when and where to go, and lots of different tips," Barbee said. "I retired after 22 years in the military to get out and do this, and the way the people in Augusta have supported me has been just wonderful."

Barbee credits Comcast producer Debra Sasser for making the series possible.

"I was at Comcast one day to do a promotion, and Debra told me she couldn't believe I didn't already have my own program," said the 61-year-old Barbee, a native of Greensboro, N.C., who spent his final eight years in the Army stationed at Fort Gordon.

"I had checked with a bunch of TV stations and no one was interested, and she had me talk to one of the managers at Comcast. He told me if I could get the sponsors, they'd produce the show."

Support from local businesses has been overwhelming, Barbee said.

Along with a strong list of local sponsors who keep the show going, two local marinas supply him with a new boat and outboard motor each year.

"I haven't made money on the show, but that's not why I do it," Barbee said. "I'm just happy to break even and keep the show going. It's something I've wanted to do all my life."

Reach Rob Mueller at (706) 823-3425.