black drum IRL

It’s been a few weeks since we have had anything of substance to report, but this past week we got back out on the water and had some fantastic black drum action. As water temps warmed out of the mid to upper 50 degree range and into the mid 60’s, big black drum started making an appearance on some of the deeper flats in the Titusville area. Black Point, Peacock’s Pocket, Turnbull Basin and flats around the NASA causeway are areas that we search on calm days looking for these fish. Some of the schools only have 30 to 50-fish in them. Others we’ve found are numbering into the 200-plus fish category.

Most of the time when you find drum on the flats they are there to feed, so much of the battle is already won. Captain Justin and I like to cast large shrimp rigged on a 1/4 ounce Saltwater Assassin jig head to these schooling fish. In the case of the larger 30 to 50-pound class drum we tackle up. We’ve found that a 5000 or 6000 size Penn Battle or Clash reel loaded with 30 or 40-pound test Sufix 832 braided line casts well and stands up to the abuse of other fish in the school running into it. To the braided line we attach a 40-pound test Sufix fluorocarbon leader. When a school of drum is moving it can create a wake that looks like it came from a boat but they can slip away from you very easily if you pressure them too much. Using a push pole or trolling motor (set at a low speed) is the best way to get close enough to cast into the school and get hooked up.

These fish will only be around for a few weeks before they start their annual migration northward, so if you would like to feel the pull of a giant drum give us a call at 321-636-3728 or check our available dates on our website at finelinefishingcharters.com. Let’s go catch your next memory!!