1. sports
2. fishing

Bull Reds
Big Black Drum
CAPTAIN MIKE AVERY
SEADUCTION CHARTERS
SEADUCTION.AVERYS.NET
757-329-5137
Red Drum

Red Drum, channel bass, redfish, or just reds.

Found all along Atlantic coast Mass to FL and Gulf FL to Mexico.

Scientist believe the spots help predators think the tail is the head,
helps to escape.

Current regs are 18-26 inches, 3 per person. (Puppy drum)

All big reds is a catch and release fishery.

46 inches will earn a release citation.

Satellite tagging shows our big reds spend winter months in gulf
stream from Hatteras to Morehead City NC.
Black Drum

Black Drum

Found along Atlantic coast Delaware to FL and Gulf FL to Mexico.

Black drum also spend the winter in the gulf stream warm waters.

Powerful jaws can crush oysters and shellfish.

Chin barbells are sensitive helping to find food.

Current regs are 1 fish per person 16 inches or bigger.

46 inches is release citation, 80 lbs is weight citation.

Small black drum have vertical bars often mistaken for sheepshead.

Black drum make loud drumming sound.

A school of black drum under your boat can be head.
When

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Spring water temps hit 60.

First red reports from Ocracoke, Hatteras, OBX and Sandbridge from the
surf.

Usually late April reports of drum in the breakers off Fisherman’s Island.

Whole month of May is often game on for reds and blacks.

Once temps hit around 70 drum are more spread out.

Can catch all summer often while targeting other fish.

Blacks often school up around the CBBT Islands all summer.

Sept and Oct is good for reds as they stack up leaving.

Full moon fishing is usually very good.
Where

First reports for blacks are all along shallow waters seaside of Eastern Shore.

Reds first show up in the breakers between Fisherman and Smith Island.

Breakers usually are only 2-4 feet of water and can be dangerous.

Both reds and blacks can be caught in the breakers, shallow water warms
fastest.

Once reports come from breakers add about 2 weeks and reds and blacks
can be caught along shoals. Nautilus, Latimer, 9 foot shoals.

Look for drop offs, deep water next to shallow.

You can sometimes mark schools under the boat.

Pick a spot out and drop anchor.

Give each spot a good chance but move around if not getting bites.

Reds and blacks are often in schools.
Tackle

Medium to heavy spinning or conv reels.

Recommend against very light tackle which prolongs fight.

Penn Battle or Shimano Baitrunners or TLD 15, Torium, GTI 320.

50-65 braid is about right.

Fish finder rig. Short 60-80 lb mono leader snelled circle hook.

Bank or pyramid or pancake sinker enough to hold bottom.

Spinner casted out far, conventional close in.

Drags set at strike enough to hook fish but still run.

Fish will hook themselves most often with rod bent over.
Spread and Fight

Deploy as many rods as current, crew, and boat allows.

Crab, clam, crab-clam sandwich, whole crab, top popped off crab,
give them a choice.

Very powerful fish, pure joy to fight and land.

Take your time and enjoy the fight but don’t prolong the fight.

Goal is to release fish healthy.

Land with large landing net head first.

Once fish is in net, point handle straight up to trap fish in net.

Lift using net rims so you don’t break the handle.

Quickly dehook, measure, lift and support fish, take photo and
release.

If the fish is distressed, lower in water to run current over gills until
revived.
Other Methods

Methods so far works best in spring.

Summer and fall a variety of methods work.

Trolling using spoons.

Casting buck tails or jigging along structure.

Live bait or cut bait works too.
Conclusion




Big reds and black drum is sportfishing at its finest.
Powerful fish make for very exciting fishing.
Respect these fish and try to release healthy.
Get out there and give it a shot.
Captain Mike Avery
Seaduction Charters
seaduction.averys.net
757-329-5137