WELL we went out on another charter with craig paige and this is now the 4th citation ive caught, this time it was an 84 pound black drum that we were sight fishing, we got into a bunch of them and boated 2 citations with mine being 48 1/2 inches at 84 pounds and my buddies being 47 inches at 70 pounds, it is so awesome sight fishing for these big fish, we went out on the 23rd and anyone that went out in the morning knows how nasty of a trip it was, we got pounded and got to the eastern shore aboiut 45 minutes after leaving lynhaven and we anchored down for some cobia action which was pretty good, we boated a 40 pounder and lost 2 on top of the water about 20 ft out then we decided to go to the islands to sight fish for the drum, we had a blast and i have a couple more trips booked this year with craig so ill let you guys know how we do.

very nice, what were u using bucktails?

yea we were using bucktails around the third island

I saw you guys (i think) casting at the 3rd on Saturday around 9am - then watched you head out to the shore.

Were you catching the BD then or later in the day? Could you really see them up on top?

yea that was us, we came through there and decided to go for shelter by the shore for cobia which we did pretty good then we came back to the third around 2 and hit on the drum and yea i was on the front of the boat sight fishing and i couldnt believe how many monster drums i saw there, they were not too far down and with polarized lenses they were easy to spot and we hooked up to 2 citations and another one that was 44 inches in about an hour span and we got nailed a bunch of other times, ill be back with craig a few more times this year and cant wait,

I saw you saturday va head hunter, we were in the robalo anchored. We had 2 monsters on 12lb test and both busted off. There were hundreds of drum around. Yall looked like you were trolling, never seen that method before. Did you snag them or hook them in the mouth?

Perhaps I am just a selfish stick in the mud. But I have to say, that I have spent several years out on the water and it wasn't until the last two years that I finally figured out the when, where, and how to sight cast for black-drum. Granted, I had to listen to what other folks said and glean as much info as I could before I finally figured it out. Catching those monsters on light tackle is a blast. I feel as if I paid my dues and it makes being able to catch a fish like that, all the more sweeter. To simply spill all your hard earned knowledge for mass consumption by all.... it pains me. Next weekend there will be a million guys at the third island flailing around trying to finesse a 70+ fish on crappy gear. What a mess. Pay your dues, learn by doing, and have fun doing it. I respect those guys that can consistently go out and catch the big fish.

Dave

yea tony i saw you guys, you guys were anchored, ye we were kinda trolling, i was on the fron of the boat while we had one line in the water and casting on the side where i would sight them at, the last one we caught which was the 60 pounder was snagged right in the side of the head but the others were nailing the bucktails, i love sight fishing and i have never sight fished such big fish like that before so it was awesome to do it, as soon as that one boat with the yellow bikini girl moved out of there we were gettin tore up by those big jokers

well the way i look at it people want to catch fish and if they all want to go out to the third and try at some big drums then go for it, but if all the weekend warriors are huddled in that one area they wont be doing any sightfishing cause they will run em out of there, they were very spookish to boats so it is what it is the bay is a big place and anywhere you go you will nail fish if you know what your doing,ive got some awesome honey holes that im not spilling for flounder but drum is just a fun fish to catch and let go so i dont feel bad talkin bout my experience with them but you didnt hear me talk about where weve been nailing all the citation flounder at have ya lol, if you go out there good luck and hope ya boat a biggun

Very well said va hunter yall look like yall were having a blast with craig paige and he was all smiles good job guys. We figured after spooking them a few times we would anchor and cast but we never boated one what a blast. I will be back out there again thursday sight casting to them. I will report if we boat any.

yea we did have a blast, craig paige is by far the best captain i have ever been around and my dad used to run offshore charters out of bahia marina in ocean city and ive been around alot of captains and craig is someone i will keep booking multiple times a year with because of the experiences i have had with him, i have caught alot of citations on different species with him and he is juat an excellent guy to be around, hopefully ill be buyning another boat in a few weeks so i can get out more often, i was actually going to try bow fishing for the drum that day but we werent sure about the legallities of it with archery tackle so we didnt do it but good luck on thursday and keep me posted, you saw where we were trolling around sighting them at just stick to the same patterns we were doing and hold on to your hats cause that was some of the most fun ive ever had sight fishing plus the fight was excellent, you saw how far we had to run down that one drum we boated, he spooled us 3 times hahahah, it was a great day even though the weather didnt cooperate for us to get on flounder but ill be back with craig in 3 weeks for another trip, i cant wait, talk to ya soon and good luck

Will Do. were you guys marking them also or all sightings and casting to them.

we were marking them as well and they pretty much stuck around in the same areas as we were coming back through

Here's the problem I see with you running your mouth on here. Craig took you to where he's been catching fish because you paid him for a service which he provided very well. You came on here spilling all the beans so there will now be 100 boats in that location trying to do the same thing which will probbaly ruin it for everyone. Craig has many more charters for Black Drum sight casting, you just ruined that spot for the other groups he's taking out. I bet you sure are glad someone didn't ruin that spot for him right before he took you there. I've known and fished with Craig for a long time. He's put in a lifetime of experience in order to have the expertise to put someone like you on those fish. I just don't feel it's right for you to give away all his knowledge, I really feel it's downright unethical.

[/quote]
first of all there rob i really dont care what you think about it personally, i pay craig cause i enjoy going out with him, we take our boat as well but heres the funny thing, those fish change up so often that they will most likely be moving on. they werent there earlier in the week like that and probablly wont be there next week so whats the issue? i never said exactly where we were just that we were around the third island, last time i checked the bay was a public place and pretty big as well, my fault i didnt see your posted signs out there next time ill look better. see the funny thing is that you are making such a big deal about a fish that really has no other value except to catch and release them so why all the selfishness? im not hurting anything for craig he is who he is because of what he does and he is good at it and he will stay booked year round because he can put you on fish any day, AROUND the third is not the only place he fishes. that guy could catch citations in a mud hole hes that good. im sorry this topic has upset you, but i still dont see the problem with what i said, did i give out gps coordinates? no i said we were around the third island, big deal its not like people dont follow craig around and jump in his spots every day anyways, im not giving out the "who shot kennedy" documents i simply shared an experience that was fun, get over it

oh and second wind of this. craig does seminars and public speaking on how he catches the fish that he does so how am i giving out his years of expertise? i just simply said we were around the third and the only reason we were there was cause we couldnt go for flounder which was our target species, and when you say guys like me does that make me any different then guys like you? you pay craig to know his knowledge too, think about it before you go hanging me on a cross.

LOL. You need to get your panties out of that bunch. I'm not going to argue with you, I stand by what I said in my post.

You obviously have no idea who I am. I've been fishing with Craig many times over the years as his peer, 2 excellent fishermen sharing a good time on the water.

I'm sure that had you asked Craig if was ok to post your trip location and techniques on the internet he would've said NO.

I don't think this thread is going to hurt Craig's business one bit ...... In fact I think I may give him a call myself. Excited clients get me excited!

From his website "Captain Craig has been featured on The World of Saltwater Fishing with George Poveromo as seen on ESPN2 and is sought as a speaker for many fishing forums and angling clubs."

Sounds like Craig is following in DR Wrights footsteps, a TEACHER to all.

Wow, all this over drum..........you cant even eat 'em. This is the reason we only fish offshore. We dont have any problem telling we caught yft's and hoo's on the whatever line in 100 fathoms. Its a big ocean and a big bay, the fish are all over the place. I never understand why people get upset about giving a very general location because skill has got alot to do with it. You bay guys are funny......

I forgot what I was really gonna post.......Congrats on the Paper. That fish must have given some awesome pullage

lmao my panties are not in a bunch i think its funny that you would say such things thats all, like i said before i never gave out exact locations, the third island is not one of the worlds undiscovered treasure and the techniques i used were the same techniques anyone else would have been using and we were using the same things anyone else would be using for drum so its no big mystery, i had another excellent trip with craig and i have a few other dates this year to go out with him and im sure he would not be upset with me posting about an excellent trip that he created for us once again. we fish all over the bay and the ocean from ocean city to florida so im not new to this or someone that needs to be talked down to, i just wanted to share my great experiences not get into a pissing match

[ thanks alot scallywag, he gave a good 20 minute fight and almost spooled me lol it was alot of fun

This thread has most likely brought Craig business.......he sounds like he could put me on some monster cobia. I'm gonna get a few together and charter him

yea he put us on a few earlier in the morning, we boated a 40 pounder and had about a 50 or bigger spit the bait about 20 ft behind the boat and had another around 40 get off and then the turd sharks started beating us up so we got out of there and tried some other stuff, the next trip with craig in 3 weeks is going to be for flounder again and i am pumped he put me on 3 citations in an hour last year and another that missed citation by 3 ounces and 1 inch.

WOW WOW WOW i am lost for words!!!!

I thought this site was for sharing information? How boring would it be if every post was "I caught a fish in the water today." or "Drum are out there somewhere."

Reminds me of something I see every day up here on the Appomattox River. Some jackhole in a 70k Ranger with all the bells and whistles, sponsor stickers and shirt, 1k rod/reel combos, electronics up the wazoo, will come flying in here at 90mph, fish for 20 minutes, catch nothing then 90mph out of here. 10 minutes later a little old man with a 12' Jonboat, 10hp 1955 Johnson OB, Zebco reel and a old reused Culprit worm will go to the same spot and nail a 7lb fatty.

Moral of story: "...they dont call it catch'n."

AMEN AMEN AMEN

WOW, what a drama? You'd think you gave away a real secret for all that angst?........Head Hunter, don't even waste your time defending yourself. It's really not worth it. Nice fish!! Thanks for sharing your trip. That's what this site is for, right?

P.S. Here is another secret: I've been catching loads of Blue Marlin at the first island almost every trip since May. Just troll some chicken necks at 6.5 knts in the 3rd wake. Works every time!

No comment......well maybe one. Maybe you could ask Craig if he minded. Then we would all know.

I am sure Craig Paige reads this message board and if he had a problem he would address va head hunter on this topic. besides this is no secret, these drum have been around these islands for years like this and they usually have major lock jaw. So if you can get one to eat have at it. This board sure does get out of control sometimes on the dumbest issues. I usually do not post because of this nonsense but i happen to see va head hunter catch some fish and they looked like they had a great time and so did craig paige. I guess i will go back to not commenting.

Thanks for the report. The entire point of this board is to share fishing reports. The islands are 5 acres and almost a half mile of circumference so 100 boats shouldn’t be an issue.

BTW - when you post on your flounder report be sure and not to tell us you caught them at the CBBT or people will be all over the pilings fishing for flounder too.

It didn’t sound like you were the one with your “panties in a bunch”.

You spilled the secret

BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/28/05 0-00 47.8 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 182833
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 50.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) JIGGING 182840
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 55.0 Y CRAB, UNSPECIFIED BAIT FISHING 182839
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/29/05 0-00 47.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 175653
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/29/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 175654
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 51.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 178951
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 47.5 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 178951
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 51.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 178952
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 46.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 178952
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 145767
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/30/05 0-00 46.5 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 178953
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/27/05 0-00 47.5 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 178939
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/06/05 0-00 49.0 Y CLAM BAIT FISHING 175123
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/06/05 0-00 49.0 Y CLAM BAIT FISHING 175124
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/28/05 0-00 49.5 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 183738
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 05/28/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 183737
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/05/05 0-00 46.0 Y FISH BITES BAIT FISHING 175501
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/09/05 0-00 47.5 Y BAIT (UNSPECIFIED) BAIT FISHING 175154
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/18/05 0-00 52.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 183746
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/07/05 0-00 52.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 175148
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/12/05 0-00 47.5 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 181168
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/22/05 0-00 50.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 178982
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 06/27/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 179686
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 07/10/05 0-00 50.0 Y BAIT (UNSPECIFIED) BAIT FISHING 177610
BLACK DRUM CBBT 1ST ISLAND 307 07/11/05 0-00 50.0 Y CLAM BAIT FISHING 200103

BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 05/22/05 0-00 48.0 Y CRAB, PEELER OR SOFT BAIT FISHING 181437
BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 06/12/05 0-00 46.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) TROLLING 183070
BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 06/11/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 180977
BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 06/07/05 0-00 52.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 175149
BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 06/17/05 0-00 49.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) JIGGING 175629
BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 07/02/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) JIGGING 177647
BLACK DRUM CBBT 2ND ISLAND 307 06/30/05 0-00 51.0 Y CUT BAIT; CUT FISH BAIT FISHING 177646

BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 06/04/05 0-00 51.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) JIGGING 180835
BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 06/19/05 0-00 50.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) JIGGING 180022
BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 06/17/05 0-00 47.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 179237
BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 06/16/05 0-00 47.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 179231
BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 06/16/05 0-00 48.0 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) CASTING LURES 179232
BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 07/11/05 0-00 46.0 Y MINNOWS BAIT FISHING 200009
BLACK DRUM CBBT 3RD ISLAND 307 07/19/05 0-00 47.0 Y CRAB, UNSPECIFIED BAIT FISHING 183137

BLACK DRUM CBBT 4TH ISLAND 306 06/12/05 0-00 47.5 Y LURE(UNSPECIFIED) TROLLING 183069
BLACK DRUM CBBT 4TH ISLAND 306 06/15/05 0-00 51.0 Y LURE (BUCKTAIL/GRUB) CASTING LURES 179228
BLACK DRUM CBBT 4TH ISLAND 306 07/16/05 0-00 51.3 Y CLAM BAIT FISHING 182793
BLACK DRUM CBBT 4TH ISLAND 306 11/12/05 0-00 47.0 Y CRAB, UNSPECIFIED BAIT FISHING 203640

yea i didnt think it was that big of deal i mean we released them so both the citations we caught are out there for someone else to have fun with lol i guess some people just take things way to serious, i just wanted to brag about my experience with craig

Been keeping an eye on this one ......

So far so good, valid debate, discussion interesting, no rudeness, nothing to personal or insulting, a little inflammatory but not to bad.

Craig is a VBSF sponsor and we value his support!

i apoligize for startin the thread i was just trying to share my experience with craig and he is the man,

I'm with you VA Head hunter...THANKS for sharing the wealth. I'd LOVE to get in on some of that black drum action, if you ever need someone to go with you, let me know. I get out there whenever I can.

Haha, I guess you have to expect turf protection comments from some of the Old Salts. Professional fishermen are not generally known for their civility. Methinks that the 3rd island is indeed a spot considered to be public knowledge. Awesome fish hunter!

Which end of the chicken neck do you tie the leader on? Is flouro better than regular mono in this situation? Any help you could give is greatly appreciated - I've been itching to catch one of those blue marlins!

what is wrgaff?

"Ah, come on guys... It's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays..."

Cheers,

Skip

lol manure hauler jacknifed on the santa ana, god awful mess, shoulve seen my shoes.

I understand, but as a "old Pacific salt", you cant have it both ways.

Advertise using a computer and you will get computer users.

Its a double edge sword.

Get used to it, the world is getting smaller.

EDIT: BTW, "Paige II Charters" was on 2 nights ago reading this thread. Apparently it wasn't worth a post.

[quote=nocturn,Jun 29 2007, 06:49 PM][quote=isobar,Jun 29 2007, 04:12 PM]I think I see both points of view,however,I have to say that in this me,me, me.world that most people do not want to make an effort to find fish themselves,they want everything handed to them on a platter.
sharing techniques and helping others is great.But let the people catch on thier own without holding thier hand.8 years ago before the internet got strong,the lazy ones went home.now they puch online to get easy wreck numbers and exact hot spots at a touch of a button,and then become unglued because an old salt such as rob,who has put in the time thru the years to learn how to catch fish regularly and will now be swarmed with boaters at the third while the fish are put down due to heavy boat traffic. a simple post would've been that the drum were nailed while casting the islands.Okay info out but let the lazy ones work a little.thats why its fishing and not catching.
  I try lots of ideas each and every wreck trip,however i share it with friends not to 10'000 people.  i've seen way to many spots overfished in a short period of time due to someone trying to be the man! and broadcasting info on the internet.
  Now on a brighter side,congrats on the drum,nice fish   and good luck on the flatties.
  Claude. V.P.-W.R.G.A.F.F. fishing club,Virginia chapter.


like i had said before all i said was that we went to the islands lol, if i caught the fish at the lynhaven pier would that be wrong of me to say that i caught it there also? i mean both places get pounded by fishing pressure and from the citation reports since last saturday when i got mine with craig he has boated  more citation drum so i dont think i gave up any secrets.

   Before i get slammed,yes i do look at reports,but for general info.not exact spots.and I know my post count is low so slap my hand
[/quote]

I understand, but as a "old Pacific salt", you cant have it both ways.

Advertise using a computer and you will get computer users.

Its a double edge sword.

Get used to it, the world is getting smaller.

EDIT: BTW, "Paige II Charters" was on 2 nights ago reading this thread. Apparently it wasn't worth a post.

[/quote]

again i apoligize for releasing the top secret information that craig put me on fish in the bay it wont happen again, i didnt know this site was a site for everyone to join and not talk fishing or experiences again my fault.

LMAO!!!

Great fish by the way!!

Should we?


...only kidding.

So....yeaaah, VA HEAD HUNTER was really stoked and wanted to share what he caught, at least he did share the "general" area of where it was caught. We all read so many vague posts about citations/record breaking fish being caught and no one ever has a chance to go out there and get themselves one. Think of HEAD HUNTER's bean spillage as a gift to all of us.

I must admit, I always try and put 2 or 3 tuna in the box before calling my buddies on the radio to let them know IM on a big school. But I never feel the necessity to clam lip about it all day.

Now, let me find a school of speckled trout that no one knows about and it's my secret forever!!!! ....... lol lol

lol

Anyone got GPS numbers for this 3rd island? Im thinking about taking my canoe out there on saturday, its 14ft is that long enough?

Willing to buddy up with any other boat.

N37 02.183
W76 04.612

be sure you let us know how you did but dont give any exact locations of what you catch.