Here at work thinking about oldr um that are probably here and I am not fishing for them. I was out of town last week, but my son is certain he saw a school of big drum working bait over in the mouth of Slade creek while flounder fishing last weekend. Unfortunately, he did not have anything with him to throw at them. I'm going to give the lower pungo/pamlico a thorough check this weekend. Glad to hear reports the tarpon are here. Anybody else know anything on the old drum yet? Don't want locations, but just want reassurance they are finally here in decent numbers.
old drum?
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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.
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Scott, Been anxious to try a popping cork rig on Bulls.
What's your setup & best soft plastic? Thanks ..... ICM
What's your setup & best soft plastic? Thanks ..... ICM
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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...
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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
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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.
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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Thanks, some very good & much needed info. ........ ICM
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awesome to hear!
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.
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I have heard of a few being caught but not many. Next week will tell....
For those inclined DOA also has a complete rig ready to tie on....ie... popping cork/leader/jighead/airhead. Prepackaged and ready to go.
Think outside the box also. Last year I used a pack of 6 inch Tsunami Swim baits. It is a big bait and as we started the morning with 3 of us on the boat, 2 with popping corks, me with the swim bait, fishing commenced and the first one on pulling drag was with the swimbait.
Double ups do happen...
![Water Shorts Vertebrate Fisherman Fish]()
For those inclined DOA also has a complete rig ready to tie on....ie... popping cork/leader/jighead/airhead. Prepackaged and ready to go.
Think outside the box also. Last year I used a pack of 6 inch Tsunami Swim baits. It is a big bait and as we started the morning with 3 of us on the boat, 2 with popping corks, me with the swim bait, fishing commenced and the first one on pulling drag was with the swimbait.
Double ups do happen...
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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.
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