That method will be fine. Revive with you hands out of the water.
Questions about fishing for big drum on a yak
Being stuck in a kayak definitely has put me at limitations this year, but I'm having a blast. Almost as much fun as being in a boat. I still want to try and go after old drum in a few months, but I'll be doing it from a kayak.
Safety to me is first. I won't be alone, and the weather will have to be perfect. I'll definately have a pfd on and lights on the yak to be seen at night. What I'm worried the most about it how the fish will react being pulled up onto my lap. Are they usually docile or so they try and go nuts? My plan was to get it alongside the boat then grab it with fish grips, put the rod down with the other hand, put the reel in free spool and then bring the fish on my lap to unhook, take a picture an release. Do I need to change anything about that idea?
Also how does the gang rigged anchor work when hook multiple boats up to one anchor and rope? Do you just tie loops in the anchor rope then have clips that go on your anchor trolley? I assume someone else will unclip you from the rope?
Any other tips, tricks or recommendations?
Safety to me is first. I won't be alone, and the weather will have to be perfect. I'll definately have a pfd on and lights on the yak to be seen at night. What I'm worried the most about it how the fish will react being pulled up onto my lap. Are they usually docile or so they try and go nuts? My plan was to get it alongside the boat then grab it with fish grips, put the rod down with the other hand, put the reel in free spool and then bring the fish on my lap to unhook, take a picture an release. Do I need to change anything about that idea?
Also how does the gang rigged anchor work when hook multiple boats up to one anchor and rope? Do you just tie loops in the anchor rope then have clips that go on your anchor trolley? I assume someone else will unclip you from the rope?
Any other tips, tricks or recommendations?
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Use a glove and grab his bottom lip as it will help spread the weight better than the fish grip and use your leg to help lift him on board. They are pretty docile if they are not real green when you boat them. Take time to revive by paddling/peddling before letting him go. Here is a video that will show you one technique (boating fish around 5:00 minute mark).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNxjTb4Qntg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNxjTb4Qntg
Not to jack a thread but how hard would it be to find drum like this at the obx?.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GGr7PGQxVLA
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GGr7PGQxVLA
Way to kill a fish for the sake of a picture/video. No reason at all not to release the first fish caught right after landing it. They should be ashamed of themselves and were in violation of the law. Keeping that fish in the yak and going back to fishing is most definitely considered possession.Use a glove and grab his bottom lip as it will help spread the weight better than the fish grip and use your leg to help lift him on board. They are pretty docile if they are not real green when you boat them. Take time to revive by paddling/peddling before letting him go. Here is a video that will show you one technique (boating fish around 5:00 minute mark).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNxjTb4Qntg
To answer your question though, they are very calm in the yak. Use the grippers like you mentioned in your post and get him in the yak snap a pic and get him back in the water. As far as soaking the bait at night goes.... Go during the day time and use a popping cork. No reason to anchor or use bait. If you do decide to go at night make sure you have the legal rig and also don't try using more than 1 rod per person when soaking bait from a yak. I thought it would be easy, but learned really quick that it gets chaotic. One last thing, don't be scared to put some
Pressure on the fish. There's no excuse for not landing one in under 10 minutes from the yak.
I've caught both of mine in the daytime, and I mean like, 11am, crazy daytime, soaking bait on the bottom. Find the bait and you'll find the fish even during the day.
Trigger22 you are absolutely right! I didn't watch the whole video and should have before posting it. I jumped to the end because I have seen them catch and use the leg to assist in lifting the fish out of the water which is helpful from a yak. If I'm not mistaken, these fish are 40-50 years old and need to be handle carefully and with respect. Anyway, it sounds like you are looking for advice on how to protect them AMG08. Good luck and post some pictures when you get one.
"The 4 L's"--
Leader, Lip, Leg, Lift.
Grab leader at boatside, apply fishgrips to the lip, and use a leg to stabilize the weight of the fish while lifting into your lap with both hands. Keep your head level during the whole process, to avoid losing your center of gravity.
Most old drum are just about done by the time you get them boatside, so take a quick photo and REVIVE the fish thoroughly by moving him through the water until the fish swims away on his own strength.
My anchor setup is simple--25-30' of rope with a crab buoy at the top of it, ended with a d-ring or clamp. (run rope through buoy before connecting D-ring.) Make sure d-ring is industrial strength and also make sure it is not too small where it will slide through the buoy. Tie up directly to a friend, or use another short rope to connect to each other. (will be entirely dependent on conditions.) Whoever hooks up will get disconnected by the other angler---after the other angler has reeled in his own lines as quickly as possible. Then the angler can disconnect from the anchor to help the hooked-up angler with landing/photos. Then you both go back to the anchor and hook up at your spot for another cast. Tape bright glow sticks to the anchor buoy at night, and you'll never lose your spot or your anchor.
Lots of hype going around about sharks, and some of it is absolutely true---But I'm not so scared of sharks that i am going to break a 50 pound fish's jaw just for the sake of a picture. Stabilize the giants while lifting them. It only takes 5 seconds or less. Jaws is not silently stalking and waiting for a human leg to appear. If he wants anything, it's gonna be that fish. So make it quick. And you don't have to dip your entire leg---just enough to stabilize the fish. (Some of this will also depend on the height of the sides of the kayak you are using. You may not need to use a leg if it is low enough to the water, or a smaller fish. just slide him onto your lap using both arms.) The Neuse is a known bull shark nursery, a true predator spawning ground. Anything can happen so just be aware, and definitely bring a friend if possible. I know it is hard to believe, but these sharks did not suddenly appear in 2015. And if you do see a shark, please realize that this is their natural habitat, and they have literally been living there for millions of years. Long before people. And I can almost guarantee they will be there next year, and the year after that too. Keep calm and slay! Panic is contagious.
Leader, Lip, Leg, Lift.
Grab leader at boatside, apply fishgrips to the lip, and use a leg to stabilize the weight of the fish while lifting into your lap with both hands. Keep your head level during the whole process, to avoid losing your center of gravity.
Most old drum are just about done by the time you get them boatside, so take a quick photo and REVIVE the fish thoroughly by moving him through the water until the fish swims away on his own strength.
My anchor setup is simple--25-30' of rope with a crab buoy at the top of it, ended with a d-ring or clamp. (run rope through buoy before connecting D-ring.) Make sure d-ring is industrial strength and also make sure it is not too small where it will slide through the buoy. Tie up directly to a friend, or use another short rope to connect to each other. (will be entirely dependent on conditions.) Whoever hooks up will get disconnected by the other angler---after the other angler has reeled in his own lines as quickly as possible. Then the angler can disconnect from the anchor to help the hooked-up angler with landing/photos. Then you both go back to the anchor and hook up at your spot for another cast. Tape bright glow sticks to the anchor buoy at night, and you'll never lose your spot or your anchor.
Lots of hype going around about sharks, and some of it is absolutely true---But I'm not so scared of sharks that i am going to break a 50 pound fish's jaw just for the sake of a picture. Stabilize the giants while lifting them. It only takes 5 seconds or less. Jaws is not silently stalking and waiting for a human leg to appear. If he wants anything, it's gonna be that fish. So make it quick. And you don't have to dip your entire leg---just enough to stabilize the fish. (Some of this will also depend on the height of the sides of the kayak you are using. You may not need to use a leg if it is low enough to the water, or a smaller fish. just slide him onto your lap using both arms.) The Neuse is a known bull shark nursery, a true predator spawning ground. Anything can happen so just be aware, and definitely bring a friend if possible. I know it is hard to believe, but these sharks did not suddenly appear in 2015. And if you do see a shark, please realize that this is their natural habitat, and they have literally been living there for millions of years. Long before people. And I can almost guarantee they will be there next year, and the year after that too. Keep calm and slay! Panic is contagious.
I'm not a huge fan of being tied together at night on a rough river.... spend a little time and rig up an anchor trolley, cleat, and a quick release anchor with a big float. And I don't necessarily night fish by choice. It just makes a lot of sense with a constant day job and the crowded old drum fishery. If I get time this drum season I plan to troll some big swim baits over likely areas as well during the day.
Aww cmon.... By not being a fan of being tied together you miss out on opportunities of bromance like theseI'm not a huge fan of being tied together at night on a rough river.... spend a little time and rig up an anchor trolley, cleat, and a quick release anchor with a big float. And I don't necessarily night fish by choice. It just makes a lot of sense with a constant day job and the crowded old drum fishery. If I get time this drum season I plan to troll some big swim baits over likely areas as well during the day.
You have a valid point. And I do love to talk fishing!
Plus ****** has the best kayak bait tray ever lol
home improvement lolPlus ****** has the best kayak bait tray ever lol
I'm not a huge fan of being tied together at night on a rough river..
A true loner, a dottie, a rebel....
Kickin it old school, bein my own man, fighting my own fish on my own little boat. Lol!
......in 3ft. chop. 
It is not that hard...good wind good bait...wait...or daytime pop in cork...
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
NC Angler Forums
A forum community dedicated to North Carolina anglers and sporting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, licenses, tips, tricks, rivers, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
