 "Photo: Photo by Duncan Davis")
Mid-February to late March is for many the time of year in which Spring begins, babies are being born, brides are saying I do and life starts to get back in motion after the holidays… but who cares about all of that – the Drum are running.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to tie the end of your fishing line to a full-grown Pit Bull and let him do his damndest to get away, you are in luck my friend.
These fish aren’t the kind you can fill up your freezer with as they tend to get tough and the meat often has worms on the larger Drum, but they sure put up a great fight.
If you do happen to catch one under 25 inches then by all means filet away, but otherwise this is strictly for the heavy-weight fighters.
So far this early run, I have been witness to quite a few 40-plus-inchers and they have not started to get thick yet. This season is shaping up to be a great one and the best part is I can reveal all the secret spots without worrying about overcrowding.
Anywhere there is a ship channel, a deep hole, or more specifically a deep inlet from the Gulf (such as the jetties), massive Drum will be coming and going in the thousands with the tides.
Writing this article is making my arms hurt thinking about how big these fish get and how easy they are to catch. The set-up is simple.
A fishing pole capable of handling a large fish, whether it be a bay rod with plenty of line or a surf rod with plenty of backbone; fresh dead Blue Crabs, weights to get the crabs to the bottom and the wherewithal to know how to put the crabs in prime position. I recommend getting the crabs on the drop-off between the channel and the shallows.
Unlike most of the fishing I do, with Drum, the most important part of the trip is remembering the hot dogs and the beer. If legal, you should back your truck up to the shore, get a fire going, crack open some brews, and bring some buddies you can stand for a couple of hours.
Patience is the key, as you never know when the Drum will come to where you are. Rest assured, my only goal is for anyone who wants to catch a large Drum to be successful.
If there are any further questions or comments, feel free to contact me at sports@thedmcfoghorn.com. Address it to “Blake Dogg.”
Remember: You can’t catch anything if your line ain’t in the water.
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