From the Ring to the Rod - Meet Off the Hook: Extreme Catches' Eric Young!

Beginning Sunday, August 5, at 9 PM E/P, join professional wrestler “Showtime” Eric Young as he travels across the United States in search of some of the craziest fishing techniques in Off The Hook: Extreme Catches. From piers in New York City to the coasts of Florida, Eric goes from sailfishing to catching sharks on paddleboards -- and every type of imaginable (and unimaginable!) fishing in between.

I recently had the chance to catch up with Eric, as well as series producer Dan Bree, while they had some free time in between shoots to find out what was really going on behind these extreme scenes.

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How did the concept of the show start?

When I asked Dan and Eric about how the show came to be, Dan said, “Animal Planet came to our production company [part2 pictures] and said ‘Let’s do a comedic fishing show!’” That’s when Dan and his team set out to find the perfect host to cast. They came across Eric, a star on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, who had experience doing skits and character work. After that, they put together a great demo reel with Eric and the pilot turned into a series.

Eric, what was your fishing background like before the show?

He might be a bit of an amateur when it comes to extreme catches, but Eric does have some basic experience fishing in small rivers throughout Canada, where he grew up. “I fished a lot as a younger boy and throughout high school,” he explains, stating he was proud of the small catfish and pickerel he caught at the time. This fishing world is different, though, he admits. “Compared to these guys, it’s their job. It’s neat to be let into that [world] for a week at a time.”

So, wrestling and fishing … not the most common combination! Is fighting in the ring anything like “fighting” the fish out there in the water?

Extreme fishing requires a strong amount of energy and motivation, much like wrestling does. “It’s really like you are battling a fish,” Eric states. “It’s catch and release most of the time, [but it’s still] a fight.” Luckily, Animal Planet was able to find him! Eric admits, “If there was a host that wasn’t physically strong, there probably wouldn’t be a host at this point.”

How do some of these fishing challenges come about? How do you determine where you should go, who to contact?

The first step, Dan explained, is to find the extreme fishermen. Sometimes, it’s as simple as searching “extreme fishing” on the Internet; other times, it requires more physical traveling. “Sometimes, we will pick a place and just scour the city, calling fishermen and asking, ‘What’s the type of fishing you do here?’” Dan said. He stresses the importance of word-of-mouth in these excursions, too. “Many of these high-end, extreme fishermen know each other. One guy might say, ‘I do this in Florida, but you should talk to my buddy who does this in San Diego,’ and then … boom. We are off and running in to a completely different city.”

There is little down-time for these guys, and little time spent filming in one specific area. Eric’s opportunity to travel around and experience crazy techniques has really opened his mind to trying new things (no stone left unturned, if you will). “It’s been an on-going thing with the show. I will literally try anything once,” Eric said. Although he admits he has always had a mindset like this, the experiences are still exciting to him. “I’m traveling around, [learning] all these things most people haven’t even heard of – that is why the show is super cool.”

Photo credit: Taimi Arvidson/DCL

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Want to see some of Eric’s “reel” crazy adventures in action? Tune into Off The Hook: Extreme Catches Sundays, @ 8 PM E/P on Animal Planet!

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Katie Sharp is a Digital Media Intern at Animal Planet. Sadly, she has only fished once in her life.

Comments

[Allen]

If you want a fish hat go to Lids and make one. I think that's what he does.

[matthew]

love this freaking show! Muscles and fishing that's my life! (with a little bit of family in there too)

[Cohen Brink]

I think Freshwater fishing tackle is used in fresh lakes etc. It has also many types and it is used for catching fish from the fresh water. What do you say!

[noman]

this tv serial is one of my fav tv serial of all time becoz i love fish caught and all actores perfum is awesome

[Bill]

I see a lot of comments about where to find Eric Young hats. I'm looking into it and will post soon.

[PMG Fishing Equipment]

Definatly one of the best fishing shows out there! Love it

[April]

My husband and I love this show!!! Plus we really want to get one of Eric's FISH hats......I see there are previous comment of others' wanting to know where to find the hats, but never saw an answer. I would really appreciate any info regarding them, thank you!!

[paddle boarding huntington beach]

What a great show! do you usually go out on a small boat?

[George H. Jr.]

Great show, keep it up animal planet. Also, I guess everyone is entitled an opinion, I'm sure y'all have a lot more positives than negatives, so don't worry about the speedos, I got a big laugh as did my 4 year old. He said Eric is ugly, LOL.
A couple of balloons is nothing compared to oil spills. Thanks

[Freddie Herring]

Can anyone tell where to find an Eric young fish hat? Please. Gotta have one

[chris suchomel]

where do i get a fish hat?

[Lynn]

This show is great! Eric Young keeps me laughing, and its interesting to watch these unusual ways of fishing. The naysayers are welcome to use the remote button freely if it isnt to their taste! You cant please everyone, but it seems like there are more who enjoy the show than not. Hope it gets renewed!

[Lori]

I love fishing & am sure even though I have not watched the show am sure it is probably good. I was however disturbed by the commercial I saw last night while watching American stuffers with my six year old daughter with Eric in a speedometers obviously looking at his own male parts! I will not be tuning in! Shame on you Animal Planet!!!" Booo

[Gabe]

Care to try a hand in hawaiian blue water spearfishing? The quarry are trevallies, tunas, wahoos, dolphinfish, and marlins. The fishermen are known as Blue-water divers. Biggest problems? Boaters and Tiger Sharks.

[blee.]

i need them to come to oregon and steelhead fish and camp in january with after back pahin in a couple of miles

[Michael]

Great show! Eric Young, aka Jeremy Fritz, is as entertaining fishing as he was wrestling. Nice to see someone with some fishing knowledge showing us, the viewers, something new instead of a stuff know-it-all professional who assumes the entire audience is full of professionals.

[Claire]

Soo awesome! The catfishin' episode, he is on my lake, in my home town where I live! Yess!

[Dallas Holmes]

I gotta have one of thoughs Fish hats where can I get one?

[Claire]

If you don't like it, you simply don't have to watch it! I think its an amazing show! Its better watching a show about real life outdoor things to do, other than sitting at home watching a fake show about someone else's life.

[Josh]

Great show keep it going. Some people need to catch up to the times and realize its not 1960 anymore.

[Ian]

Where can I get a FISH hat

[Don]

I cant belive off the hook is even called a show,that little guy has not looked at him self I guess or his face would be as red as those trunks,you come up short it looks like more ways then one!!! AP you are putting on shows that just fill a time slot.

[Dulcy]

How do I get my husband a hat? yeah, baby!

[Ron]

You can wear your little red swimsuit (which you don't fill out) on your show, my grandchildren & I don't have to watch it. But we think you should clean up your commercials, we wish you would save your stupid red suit and vulgar language for your show & Clean up your commercials. Little kids watch Animal Planet and they don't need the language or the stretch bathing suit.
Ron

[Sue Labine]

Great show and so many laughs to go with the fishing!Love it!