I really want to fish the shallows for puppy drum. Every report since last fall says that they are all over the place inside lynnhaven inlet. Is this true, and can I simply pop the trolling motor and sight fish for these fighters in the grass @ high tide. This is how I catchem in N.C. thanks

Cant say first hand but what works down there should work here. Give it a shot and good luck.
DB

I don't see puppy drum tailing in Lynnhaven Inlet... but I catch my share any way mostly in the shallow areas. Most of my catches have been on bait... shrimp and even minnows. Good luck!

A week ago, we caught a dozen in the 1 to 3 pound range fishing the cuts in the marsh grass on an outgoing tide. All of the fish were caught blind using Berkley Power Baits Punkins. They are ugly little brown blobs but the reds tore them up. We rigged them on a 2/0 hook attached to an inline sinker by 18" of mono. They were a blast on a day when it was to windy to get out!

Travis

What exactly do puppy drum look like? I know this may seem like a dumb question, but I have been throwing back a few un-recognizable fish thinking they are kingfish or sea mullet. By the way, sea mullet are very good eating.

You'll know when you catch a puppy drum... it bites and takes off peeling drag! Some times they nibble at the bait for a bit before taking it. Looks like an oversized croaker with a distinctive spot on the base of the tail... here's a pic

http://www.indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/drumred.html

We tore them up over the weekend with fresh peeler crabs.

lisatiptonmiller@comcast.net


why dont you ever ask me to fish with you.................... i am insulted. no more phone calls asking for course heading to waypoints......