Drum Question

[backbay]

i might give a go for drum this weekend but never really targeted them in NJ, ill probably try great bay and im just lookin for a few pointers.

1) what depth should i look for
2) do they prefer a certain type of bottom, rough or sandy
3) does a strong current affect them? should i try a channel with more current or are flatter slower moving areas better?
4) is it worth chumming?

any input is appreciated and ill make sure to post a report if i end up going for them... thanks

[shrimpman steve]

A friend or mine got one off the surf with a clam last week inRB

[Dino]

not an easy thing to target black drum specifically in NJ waters north of delaware bay. good luck

[Gerry Zagorski]

A few are caught each year in the northern areas of NJ usually on clams in the shallows of the surf and bays. Not heard of anyone targeting the successfully other then in the Cape May/Delaware Bay Area.

[backbay]

im mostly going to get some clams and im gonna try for the big blues that have been around and hopefully a bass but figured id stay a little after dark and try for drum, I know people catch them around there this time of year, i guess my biggest question would be do i try deep or shallow

[Gerry Zagorski]

Most people I've talked to caught them shallow.

[Fish_Harder]

Fish shallow for them. Drum stay deep except for feeding. They come up onto rocky bottom in search of clams, crabs etc. If they are there you wont miss them on your fish finder. Drop right on top of them and keep a tight line ready to set the hook. They bite by sucking in the bait so it is very subtle. When I use to target them in Maryland we would use soft shell crabs cut in half.

[shresearchdude]

For what it's worth. The fyke net guys do catch drum.

[1captainron]

Leave them alone...they look like Old tiered men when they hit the deck....When I saw what was left to throw on the grill from a 60 pound fish, (from what I heard was so great) I will "NEVER KILL" another one again. Beautiful, Unique creature that just keeps swimming because he doesn't realize he's hooked yet everyone thinks...What a fight!! BS....That's not a fight, it's an accident that it happened.

[team heat]

Iwent on a drum charter years ago in Delaware Bay.The captain kept telling us the most important thing to do was keep the bait absolutly still at all times.Hope this helps.

[Fish_Harder]

Iwent on a drum charter years ago in Delaware Bay.The captain kept telling us the most important thing to do was keep the bait absolutly still at all times.Hope this helps.

Agreed 100%

[Capt. Lou]

I agree still bait seems to be the choice , clams chosen bait . I've caught a few no expert on Drum fishing but I agree with Capt Ron. I released all mine , their eating qualities R suspect , put up decent fight since most R big fish but having said this I would practice CPR on all !:cool:

[backbay]

thanks for the advice, i've also heard rotten clams work better because drum are pure scent feeders and aren't picky, the only real experience i have with "bigger" ones was out in texas a few years ago, I caught a lot in 10-20 lb range just jigging a gulp shrimp off a pier at night but im not sure how applicable that would be in NJ.

as far as keeping them ive seen how much meat comes off a 55 lber a friend caught last year and in my opinion its not really worth the hassel or the waste. I might keep one, but the rest will be revived and released just like all the big bluefish i catch

[Capt. Debbie]

Love that description Capt. Ron!

Leave them alone...they look like Old tiered men when they hit the deck....When I saw what was left to throw on the grill from a 60 pound fish, (from what I heard was so great) I will "NEVER KILL" another one again. Beautiful, Unique creature that just keeps swimming because he doesn't realize he's hooked yet everyone thinks...What a fight!! BS....That's not a fight, it's an accident that it happened.

[Captain Ahab]

We have great luck using sand fleas in DE - but clams are your best bet

Would not use rotten clams as other scent feeders will beat the drum to your bait - mostly the ones that flap and bark

Fish on softer bottom near mussel or clam beds - these big girls use the crushers in their throat to heat all sorts of crunchy critters