old drum?

I haven't heard anything. Usually its this time of year that they show up, along with tarpon. I will be along the lower Neuse week after next for 4 days. We will target some and see if they can get "popped up".

Scott Hobbs said:

I haven't heard anything. Usually its this time of year that they show up, along with tarpon. I will be along the lower Neuse week after next for 4 days. We will target some and see if they can get "popped up".

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Please keep us posted on that one Scott. I'm sure everyone on here is anxious to see the first report of the big bulls.

Scott, Been anxious to try a popping cork rig on Bulls.
What's your setup & best soft plastic? Thanks ..... ICM

Concave popping cork. Doesn't really matter type if heavy duty. 25lb mono leader and quarter oz jig head. I like the wide hook blue water candy ones. We mostly use doa airheads and four inch gulp shrimp. It puts em in our lap

4000 series reel, medium heavy rod, 20-30 pound braid and 30 pound leader material. Concave cork, 20 inches of leader from cork to soft plastic. I like the DOA Baits. They are mostly what I use. The best bang for your buck with them are the 5 inch CAL Jerk Shads. They come 12 to a pack for the same price as airheads which come 6 to a pack. You'll go through a lot of baits due to bluefish BUT just because a bluefish cuts your bait in half you do not have to change it. I keep fishing them and continue to catch. The fish are coming to the cork and would eat a wrench if that's what dangled below the cork. Color isn't that important, if I had to pick only one I would pick DOA Color 415 Gold Rush. When popping the cork you aren't trout fishing. Pop it like a man, get violent with it and by all means work the bait all the way back to the boat. I can't tell you how many I've had that are right at the boat. Talk about a sight...

does anyone have a jig head they prefer or can give me a product ID? I want to make sur ei get the right hook size/shaft length

For jig heads I like the DOA Premium (make sure the package says premium) in 1/4 ounce. http://www.doalures.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=PJH-427

Last year at the recommendation of Capt Dave Stewart I tried a pack of VMC Drop Dead Swimbait hooks http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html in the 5/0 1/8 ounce size and really liked them on calm days. They sink slower, look more natural, and are much stronger than the jigheads. I have bent even the premium jigheads (a few from a kayak even) and as a result pulled hooks. I've yet to bend a VMC but have not used them as much. Capt Dave uses them exclusively and speaks highly of them. He has everything you need to get started with old drum at his shop in Minnesott Beach as well.

thank you!

trigger22 said:

For jig heads I like the DOA Premium (make sure the package says premium) in 1/4 ounce. http://www.doalures.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=PJH-427

Last year at the recommendation of Capt Dave Stewart I tried a pack of VMC Drop Dead Swimbait hooks http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html in the 5/0 1/8 ounce size and really liked them on calm days. They sink slower, look more natural, and are much stronger than the jigheads. I have bent even the premium jigheads (a few from a kayak even) and as a result pulled hooks. I've yet to bend a VMC but have not used them as much. Capt Dave uses them exclusively and speaks highly of them. He has everything you need to get started with old drum at his shop in Minnesott Beach as well.

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Can't wait.......

Thanks, some very good & much needed info. ........ ICM

Their Here.....tricklin...in...get ready....gettin better daily...

awesome to hear!

catmaster said:

Their Here.....tricklin...in...get ready....gettin better daily...

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is this based on recent personal experience? Early sat and sun AM last weekend I did some patrols covering the lower half of the pungo out to about Abel bay looking for suspicious activity. Did see some small schools of little menhaden, but not what I was looking for. Will do it again this weekend, but will likely also take some time and do it the old fashion way soaking bait. Whatever works.

Agreed. ****** combed our hot spots yesterday with a few bait pods to report but no oldies. Soon enough. Other side of the sound inside sounds consistant with the reports I've heard and seen on the www, so soon enough

bluecrab said:

is this based on recent personal experience? .

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No, he read it on the Internet. It must be true.

Truth is, it's still early. There are a few around and a few being caught, but I certainly wouldn't plan my vacation around it or go out paying anyone to take me..... YET. Look for a report with pictures of an old drum and a couple of happy kids in the very near future.

I Heard A few have been caught...U know how fishermen R....
I'm goin soon...

SIKE...........

It is time.......Full moon is the 31st. With any luck my work is slowing down so I can get my boat fixed!!!