Reds - Thursday 31 May 12 - 6 for 8

[Mike Avery]

Did another Red Drum trip Thursday evening (31 May 12) with co-worker Ken and Al. I was the closest boat to buoy 10 near Fisherman's Island in 27 feet of water. Best bite is usually good right sunset/dusk but that is when the tide went slack so no bites.



Had to wait for the outgoing to get running good around 1030 then went 6 for 8, all nice fat reds (no critters). Smallest was 40 inches biggest was 47 inches. Bait was hard blue crab on 8.0 Gamakatsu cirlce hooks. Lots of female blue crabs floating by the surface so when the bait was getting low, we just scooped up one and sent it down.

[Greg BShk]

Wow!!!! Great job guys. love the pics!!!

[Semper Fidelis]

Need some help here, I'm sure the thrill of catching one of these is well worth the time and effort. Having only caught puppy drums off Ft. Story, what can be done with a drum this big eating wise if anything. Barbecued drum ribs. :o) Little Friday morning humour for those that need it. :o)

[Al B]

You can't keep a Red over 26". But, back when you COULD keep one, they're really good on the table. Drum Chowder, Fried Drum... you name it.

Good fishing Mike... it's been KILLING me NOT to be on the water lately. Evidently, I've got my priorities all jacked up.

[Mike Avery]

Need some help here, I'm sure the thrill of catching one of these is well worth the time and effort. Having only caught puppy drums off Ft. Story, what can be done with a drum this big eating wise if anything. Barbecued drum ribs. :o) Little Friday morning humour for those that need it. :o)

Al B has it right. The big reds are strickly a catch and release fishery. We use circle hooks to minimize the gut hooks and do a very quick tape measure then followed by a quick photo, then back in the water fast to minimize any trama. Most drummers are doing it for the pure enjoyment of doing battle with these big fish. I love fighting cobia and reds as the fight just does not compare to the wimpy striped bass fight.

[Rick Wineman]

Wow! Nice fish Mike. We went 3 for 5 (51", 46" and 50") at buoy 8. I switched to 9/0 Owner circle hooks awhile back, due to the fact that I have had brand new 8/0 Gamakatsu cirlce hooks from different packs break on me at various times over the last two years and lost some really nice fish eeling for Rockfish, live baiting for amberjack and jack crevalle and drum fishing. Have not broken an Owner hook yet. To be fair though we have caught alot of big fish on 8/0 Gamakatsu cirlce hooks that did not break. But, it's the big fish that break-off that haunt your dreams.

[Semper Fidelis]

Thanks Mike & Al for the heads up on the 26, keep the regs handy for what ever I pull out that looks borderline. Keep on it. Sarge

[tonydivefish]

WTG mike & crew, 75% ain't nothing to sneeze at. Don't know which one is Ken & which is Al but, the one with the beard, got a bushel of blue crabs in just for you!

[Kevin Smith]

Nice going Mike & Crew! Love the pics! Congrats Guys!

Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[Fishboy OV8]

Do they bite as well on a flood tide as they do on an ebb tide ?