NC Bull Drum bite

Havent reported in a while because i really havent been fishing. Boat has been left full time down at the beach til October, and I have been busy training for the new job.

spent a week down at oak island fun fishing, and fishing the annual M.A.D event held in southport every year. Weather has been rough so we have been pinned to the beach for 6 of the 7 days. the 7th day we should have stayed close, but thankfully the 27ft boat handled the rough seas like a champ when it did blow up on us out at the stream.

For those who want to catch a big red drum, now is the time down at Southport/Oak island. The bite will be hot for the next 1.5 months. each day we have been hooking anywhere from 5-10 big drum...and thats usually fishing from 11am-4pm. There is no need to make a LONG drive to MHC, the Neuse, or Pamlico Sound. just a 3 hr drive from Charlotte. Fish have been pretty consistant from 36-46 inches with one going about 52.

Just a few pics of the ones we caught while fishing, and while fishing the M.A.D event. had a boat full of happy troops that each got to reel a big one in.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pss6z1daxd.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pstkvstkap.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pserkpp3zl.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pslmlz6rgv.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psa8jtzz7a.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pshkrpbahl.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psjk4omcan.jpg

is there any where around there to catch them inshore ? it would have to be a very calm day for me to get out in the big water with my 18 ' skiff

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Originally Posted by tangled

is there any where around there to catch them inshore ? it would have to be a very calm day for me to get out in the big water with my 18 ' skiff

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They may be on the way back out now. They have been in the inland waters (sounds and rivers) for three weeks or more spawning. Can't keep most of them but lots of fun. Like hooking a run away train.

enjoyed the post.Have to admit though a little green with envy looking at those pics. I wish I could spend half the year fishing saltwater and half fresh....and non working LOL.

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Originally Posted by doggone

enjoyed the post.Have to admit though a little green with envy looking at those pics. I wish I could spend half the year fishing saltwater and half fresh....and non working LOL.

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If you want to fish....DON'T RETIRE. I retired so I could fish and don't have time. Crazy

Tangled - I don't know about where they catch them down around Oak Island but if you are fishing the Pamlico/Neuse they are inshore although those waters can blow up too with closely stacked waves real quick if a storm moves in on you. The season is winding down and the low pressure system that is on us is scheduled to stick around for a while still so it may be about done for this year. In the Pam/Neuse the fishing usually starts picking up in late Aug and runs thru early Oct.

Pete - Good job on those fish and helping with the wounded warriors! I know you have lots of experience handling fish so please remember those big red drum don't do well being held like a largemouth so please encourage folks to cradle them for photos. It sure is nice catching them during the day vs folks only night fishing like just a few years ago.

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Originally Posted by tangled

is there any where around there to catch them inshore ? it would have to be a very calm day for me to get out in the big water with my 18 ' skiff

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Tangled, I fish out of a 17ft skiff/bayboat. your boat is plenty good to make it out. There are plenty of areas in the River that consistently have big fish, however it is only a 2 hour bite with the tide change and it shuts down. I will say that the river at times gets NASTY! worse then the ocean.

The beauty of Oak island is that it is a South facing beach. this time of the year, the wind blows from the N NE or NW. with that, it keeps the beach flat to where a 12ft john boat (no exaggeration) can make it out 3-4 miles as long as it stays below 15mph

there are a few ways of fishing for them. If you are sincerely interested in going out there, shoot me a pm and ill give you additional info to include a few spots and maybe even a GPS # or 2

Great to see your post! I have been wondering what you have been up to!!:fish

Tangled in the Neuse and Pam folks used to think of it as a night bite over the last few years folks have realized the fish are hungry in the day. The rage of late is casting a popping cork to them vs soaking bait on the bottom.