[Oregon Chum Line]

New to the redfish adventures but wanted to know what would be an appropriate set up for tackle. Any preferences to spin tackle vs. baitcasters? Mono, flourocarbon or braid? I was thinking about using my citica baitcaster w/ 15lb test... sound about right?

 

[tcfisherman]

i use baitcaster & spinning reels with braid line,..............chris

 

[speckhunter80]

That would be dependent upon where you are fishing, what size drum you are fishing for and what you want to use as bait. To get a specific answer you must ask a specific question and or give us more information.

For the old drum you are going to want something that will throw a 2-4oz weight on 30-40 pound line and a reel capable of holding 300 yds. You will want to use cut menhaden(pogies/bunker) on an Owen Lupton rig with a 10/0 or similar circle hook on 80-100 pound floro 4"leader with two beads and a swivel. You can use an egg sinker or nylon fishfinder slide.

For the typical puppy drum/slot size drum that you would catch on an artificial then a 7' rod in medium with 8-12pound braid and a floro leader of 14-20. Use any number of soft plastics from Saltwater Assasins to Gulp shrimp on 1/8 or 1/4 oz jigheads. You can also use popping corks, johnson spoons, red ripper spoons, zara spooks, top dogs and spinner baits among others.

For fishing with live or cut bait see the top description and downsize everything...weight, line strength, hook size etc.

For fishing with lures I think most folks would use a spinning rod but a baitcaster will work great. What ever is your preference. For the old drum most use large baitcasters but very large spinners will work, again it is your preference.

 

[speckhunter80]

You can purchase Mr. Lupton's red drum rigs on this web-site in the online store for $7.50. I would highly recommend that you do and then if you think you can copy it exactly give it a try. The secret is the short leader and snelled circle hook.

 

[Topsail Angler]

Great advice above! For puppy drum I use 15# braid on a spinning rig with a fluorocarbon leader. In the surf I bump it up to 30# fluoro . I too use the Capt. Owen rigs when using naturally bait. Rarely have gut hooks that way.

 

[kjgallaher]

Eight or nine weight fly rod, floating line, nice deer hair diver.

Priceless!

Keith

 

[Druminator]

I do 8 and 10lbs test on spinning reels. For a leader I use 30lbs Ande mono. It's much cheaper than fluorocarbon and if you break some off you don't have to worry about your grandchildren's grandchildren cleaning it up in the future.

For lures I like to use 1/8 or 1/4 ounce jigheads and DOA CAL lures. The darker the better. I use the Avocado Red Glitter all last year and wore the drum out. Spinnerbaits work extremely well too. I start with spinner baits usually and have even started making my own.

If you want to have some real fun then spool up with 50lbs braid and go flip boat docks for them. Put the drag down and hold on!

 

[Oregon Chum Line]

Thanks for all the advice. To help clarify my target fish here goes... I'll be fishing for slot size puppy drum. I'll mainly be fishing artificials cuz I just think it's plain fun. From the research I've done looks like you can pretty much fish drum the same way you can for bass. I do still have a few questions for the experts out there. 1) how long of a leader are you using? 2)any particular colors better than others - I typically like alot of chartreuse and red/orange hues 3) will a 6 wt fly rod get the job done? I realize it's a little light but I don't have a saltwater reel and don't wanna tear up my stealhead reel 4) any way I can add a few photos on this site of some flies I have to see what ya'll think? Again thank you for the advice... feel free to innudate me w/ any other valuable information!!!

 

[Scott Hobbs]

?Sure add all the pics you can to the site.

I use mostly spinning reels in the 1500-2500 size, 20 pound Power Pro line, 5/0 circle hooks and fresh finger mullet. I also use a couple of baitcasters that are left over from my major bass fishing days. I use them both bottom fishing and casting plugs.

Mirror lures, jigs, redfish Magic (spinnerbait) are hard lures to beat. Assorted topwater plugs in Zara Spook, TopDawg, She Dog all work great on reds.

A lot of bass tackle you have will do just fine for most of the drum you will encounter in the major ICW's and creeks.

If you go stalking for the old reds (40 pounders) you will need something with a substantial backbone to pull em to the boat.

tight lines and good luck <*)))))>{

 

[speckhunter80]

OCL,
I mainly target specks in the marsh and when I do I mainly use a 7' ML spinning rod with a Penn 4300ss reel with 6 lb Fireline and an 1/8oz jig with a Saltwater Assasin or Zoom super fluke or Mann's Shadow Minnow. I also use 1/4 oz heads on occasion and throw Mirrolures. Normally I will throw these on a 7' M spinning reel with a Penn 4400ss with 10 lb. Fireline. I seldom ever use a leader. When I do I use regular 10lb and 20lb florocarbon line. I have caught specks over 8lbs and reds over 12lbs on both these rigs.

 

[LINC FiShEr]

just responding to reference this thread later

 

[Brannok812]

Great info from all posters! Bass gear will work for puppy drum in general. I have not tried buzz baits, but I have read that they will smash them just like a bass. Also, shallow crankbaits and jerkbaits will catch puppy drum as well, if they are not up into the marsh grass. Left over tube jigs in your bass tackle will work too. They will chew on creature baits like a Brush Hog as well. Of course, GULP! seems to catch just about everything, especially on a slow day.

 

[h2ohhh]

For pups:

15 lb. powerpro braid, 20 lb. fluoro leader (length determined by water clarity but typically 6 feet or so).

I would not suggest that 6 wt. Unless you just want an excuse to buy another fly rod. 8 weights more like it.

 

[Guest]

Yes, thanks to all for the info. I definately need to get over to the coast and fish a couple days !