when should they start entering the bay.....

They are here,the netters have been getting them already.Wont be long before someone catches one.

Come the first of May, anchor up at the Cabbage Patch and fish with sea clams----stinky but good bait.

what about the bull reds.. ive caught a few big ones while cobia fishing and black drum fishing they should arrive same time as the blacks right?

Just what I wanted to hear!

No,The red Drum like it warmer than the Blacks I would guess 2 weeks for the Big Red Run.You might see some caught Early but they will mass up on the shoals in May .

Where do I buy sea clams???

so if i go try the black drum on sat. think id catch any or would i be wasteing my time???

I find that the best weekend is mothers day weekend,But the hard head make it difficult to fish.

[quote=JDOGHUNTS,Apr 15 2007, 07:41 PM][quote=Getaway,Apr 15 2007, 11:47 AM]Come the first of May, anchor up at the Cabbage Patch and fish with sea clams----stinky but good bait.
[/quote]
Where do I buy sea clams???

[/quote]
Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle usually has them.

Someone has to be first and who knows what the results will be after this blow we have had.

When they show up is anybody's guess and depends on the conditions. I think it's safe to say they will be here sometime in May. As someone already said, somebody has to be the first to report a catch.

As for ways to catch them, two years ago on Memorial Day weekend, I joined a group of boats at the 1st island of the CBBT casting lures to them. I used a pearl 6" storm shad and had one fish break me off before landing a second fish that went 44".

Over the past two summers, I've caught them on the shoals using fishfinder rigs with 8/0 circle hooks and using blue crab for bait. Knock on wood, that combination has resulted in black drum catches from 32"-45" with no trash fish.
The one problem though is I have yet to catch a red drum.

went out and tried it with no success. guess ill try in 2 weeks. that noreaster screwed up everything. was hard finding clams too.

First black drum will show on the sea side inlets most likly this week, they are catching them in the nets and the trott lines will set this week. Look for blacks to show first week in May on the Northern side of nine ft shoals. I have had excellent results fishing with whole blue crab that location that time of year. The reds will show at the end of April beginning of May in the Magothy Bay area. Water temps 55 to 60 degrees with a light south east wind and a bright sky on incoming tide is the right time to sight cast the big schools of reds entering the inlet. 550 gold hopkins spoon lure of choice for sight casting. Reds will be on the bars of the outter islands the following week. The second week in may they should be on the nine ft shoals, prefered bait is fresh mullet until critters show then I switch to whole live blue crabs. Will fish the reds till the end of june then start tarpon fishing. If you want to go drum fishin with me give me a hollar and will see what we can work out.
Capt. Pete

Chris’ Bait & Tackle said the lines have been set for a couple weeks but as of last week they were just catching a few. Chris predicted early May before any significant catches by recreational fisherman.

Got a report from a friend of mine that some black drum were caught out of Willis Wharf this past weekend.

I would like to go chase and get into some Black Drum with Ya. Please Reply.

Jdog

The fish were caught in Great Machipungo inlet, there were also some caught in Delaware Bay.

I guess the fish are still up north a little bit.

Fish being caught otu of Willis Wharf since Sun. Most people fishing flood tidew with chowder clams.

Thanks for your Imfo. I'm sorry i am so new to the waterways, where is willas wharfs???

Thanks for your Imfo. I'm sorry i am so new to the waterways, where is willis wharf???

Jdog

QUIMBY ES of VA.

There's been some in the nets, but the reports of the trot liners catching them good is what I'm waiting for. Cuz says the guys trot lining w/500 hook rigs are catching a couple (3-10), and not many big ones. All this is on the seaside off Cobb and Hog Island(s). Usually, when the trot liners start catching them good, it'll be another week or so before they show up good at 13/16. Cuz set up for them yesterday afternoon... waiting on the report (which usually is NOT a good sign).

My guess/prediction: May 5 at 13/16.

i am trying this weekend on sat. will report if any landed. pete, you have got to blind fold me and take me tarpon fishing. i can put up with the bugs!!!
casey

Hey Casey, nice to hear from you! Whats been happening? There were a couple of fish caught out of Oyster yesterday, one off of Cape Charles, dont know where, all small30-40#. Will fish the full moon next week. Stay in touch!

Thanks for the tips! Great info!

Excuse my ignorance....are Black Drum any good on the table?

Brett

I fish for them to get monsters, but so far Ive caught 3 that were all around 36-38 inches.

This will change this year.

I might be wrong, but I heard the big ones are very old fish that can continue to live alot longer.

If I remember right only one over the 80# citation mark was killed last year, but many were released.

It is mostly a release fish along with big red drum.

If you want to take one, maybe take one around 30#s.

I say there are better fish to fill your freezer with.

Eric

Yeah, they're good on the table... as long as you think "pork chop" instead of fish. Been eating them for years, and am looking forward to having some fresh drum SOON!

tried sat half hearted on the out going, but no luck. hard crab and c-clams. 9' shoal in 14" north side and ship shoal inlet 8'. might go tonight after the report from the other thread.

casey

Capt. Pete.....I sure would like to catch a black drum. Never have. I've gota penn330 just waitin to get broken in. Let me know if you have room for another rod on on of your black drum trips!

Thanks,

Danny