I have always used at least 30# mainline and a 40# leader about 2 ft. long. Depending on the current, at least a 4oz. sinker will do. Keep in mind that the sinker will be placed above the swivel connecting the two lines. Allow this sinker to slide up and down the line as an egg sinker does. It's the same setup as a flounder rig but much heavier.BLACK DRUM, including Reds are SINKER SHY. Use a large hook too. Crab pieces are the bait of choice, but crawfish will usually work. Rods? Well, one w/ some backbone would be preferred but if you'd like to tackle one on LIGHT TACKLE, have fun. If your on a pier, that wouldn't work well at all. It's like pulling in a wet log. Have fun and goodluck........Oh yes, loosen the drag up when laying your rod down.

 

I know that there are people that will disagree but the 15# you are using is fine...If you want to upgrade that is a personal choice....I like to fight them with lighter tackle...I dont know the size of the hook but I like a circle hook....there is little chance of the hook being set in the stomach....My son last year hook up and landed a 45# big ugly with 12# line and a circle hook right in the side of the mouth...

TS

 

I like something a little tougher just for the hook setting power I'd go at least #20 w/a shock leader of #30-#40!!!

 

was out there last week, nuthin, not even a nibble.
I am the old gray headed coot on the mobility scooter pulling the pier cart like a trailer.
now i say not even a nibble , we were using week old dead shrimp that was frozen as there is no place close to get bait that i know of.

i did see last month a spanish fella pull in a big drum bout 42 in and he was using the biggest shrimp i have ever seen, i am talking mabie 5 count/bbq pit size, huge....

any way hope ya get your wish, me i fish with a light wt fly rod and spinning reel, ya its about the fight..

 

Good info guys. Now I have to decide, change the line or don't change the line. Life is hard...LOL!

Terry, you can get live bait at the 3 Amigos bait shop under the bridge near the seafood shops but on the other side. Shoot me an e-mail and I'll give you the directions. I will keep an eye out for you. I will ALWAYS have my yellow 2Cool windbreaker with the Sheepyhead on it....either wearing it or hung on the back of my chair.

Here is a question that may seem dumb but I have to ask....why is it always oversized drum caught on crab and crawfish? Do the slot sized drum feed on something different? Is it just "dumb luck"? Do the smaller drum show up before or after the big ones?

I will also be fishing for Specks, Reds, and Flounder with a lighter setup using live shrimp.

CoonBubba

 

I have caught big drum and reds on everything from 12 pound main line to 80 pound main line. You can catch get them in on just about any strength line if you fight the fish correctly. Heck, that goes for any fish. My dad caught a blue marlin a couple years ago on 20 pound line an a reel equivalent to an ambassador 7000. We were targeting dorado and just lucked into that.

If you are targeting big drum and reds, I recommend a minimum of 30 pound main line on a reel that can handle it and a rod with some backbone.

Like I mentioned above, you can get them in on lighter tackle but it will most likely take a LONG time to get them in, especially if you tie into a 50+ pound fish.

Every year I see people catch big drum and reds on light rods and it takes an hour to get one in, and it is so worn out that it dies.

Using heavier tackle gives you a better advantage and increases the odds for fish survival.

 

ah, there is the rub, i run down redbluff to 146 and across back to redbluff and over to toddvill rd and up to P.G.

here do this go get the line you want but dont put it on but take it with you, if you loose a big one then thats the time to change the line...

 

I have used just about everything and I really like the 25lb Big Game. To me it is an "in between" strength and works real well. 14-16 lb will work fine, but if you hook into a monster you may or may not get him to the boat. 40lb was a little heavy for me and I couldn't get the capacity that I wanted. I also use this same line for all the nearshore fish and most fish 40 miles and in. Hope this helps.

 

If you are targeting big drum and reds, I recommend a minimum of 30 pound main line on a reel that can handle it and a rod with some backbone.

Like I mentioned above, you can get them in on lighter tackle but it will most likely take a LONG time to get them in, especially if you tie into a 50+ pound fish.

Every year I see people catch big drum and reds on light rods and it takes an hour to get one in, and it is so worn out that it dies.

Using heavier tackle gives you a better advantage and increases the odds for fish survival.

excellent post Brian.

 

In all honesty you do not need anything more than 20#. I use 20# for sailfish, kingfish, dolphin, tarpon, grouper, etc. 30# is overkill especially for just bullreds and drums.

 

I see a lot of 20# and 30# and everyone is making really good points. I really appreciate everyone's input. I'm leaning towards 25# to split the difference. I don't like the thought of fighting a fish for a long time with my 15# and releasing it to die.

Thanks again guys!

CoonBubba :****

 

I'm leaning towards 25# to split the difference.
CoonBubba :****

Great idea! Seriously it will handle almost anything you get into. While you are fishing for bull reds and black drum, you will most likely encounter other species that will put your equipment to the test (Jack Crevalle, Large Sharks, Huge Stingrays, Tarpon, Ling, etc.) Gotta love the Jetties!

 

Spook this is a little different scenario than fishing from a boat. when fishing from the beach you need to take into consideration the abrasion your line takes from laying on the sandbars. not to mention a wad of trash and weed rubbing on it with the waves for hours on end.

no doubt 20# will handle very large fish like you stated but a little insurance helps on the sand.

 

I cant believe some of you guys, are you fishing for reds or whales???? 12-20lb test is more than enough, especially if fishing from a boat. I catch lots of bull reds on a weekly basis and strictly use 15lb Copolymer and 20lb braid. No need for anything any heavier. I do fish strictly artificials and catch plenty of fish upwards of the 40 inch mark. As someone else stated, 30lb test is OVERKILL.. Let me guess, some of you guys are also fishing for reds with a 4/0 or 50 wide. CRAZY....

 

I cant believe some of you guys, are you fishing for reds or whales???? 12-20lb test is more than enough, especially if fishing from a boat. I catch lots of bull reds on a weekly basis and strictly use 15lb Copolymer and 20lb braid. No need for anything any heavier. I do fish strictly artificials and catch plenty of fish upwards of the 40 inch mark. As someone else stated, 30lb test is OVERKILL.. Let me guess, some of you guys are also fishing for reds with a 4/0 or 50 wide. CRAZY....

I disagree that 30 pound line is overkill on big reds or drum. We use ambassdor 7000's, penn 330 gti's, and TLD 20's. I've got a penn 6/0 that i've used a couple of times as well. The 6/0 is definitley over kill, but i rarely use it unless I am shark fishing.

In heavy current in 30' of water and a 50 pound black on the end of the line it's a chore no matter what line size you choose.

A reason for using 30 - 40 pound line is when an inexperienced angler out in the boat with me can't turn a fish and the line hits the anchor rope, bottom of the boat, motor, etc. there is a MUCH better chance of the fish not breaking the line when it's heavier.

Same goes for when fishing from a pier. If the fish is going to the pilings I'd much rather have heavier line to control the fish better.

Bull reds and drum often travel in schools. Sometimes I will feel the line hit another fish in the school and have it come back all frayed up way above the leader. Smaller line would probably break.

Also, the heavier the line means the fish will be landed and released more quickly and another fish can be caught more quickly. I see people sometimes spend 2 hours fighting a total of 3 big drum or reds on light tackle and have them float off while we'll put 20 in the boat on larger tackle and have all swim off strong.

Well, that's my two cents on why to use larger tackle....

 

I disagree that 30 pound line is overkill on big reds or drum. We use ambassdor 7000's, penn 330 gti's, and TLD 20's. I've got a penn 6/0 that i've used a couple of times as well. The 6/0 is definitley over kill, but i rarely use it unless I am shark fishing.

In heavy current in 30' of water and a 50 pound black on the end of the line it's a chore no matter what line size you choose.

A reason for using 30 - 40 pound line is when an inexperienced angler out in the boat with me can't turn a fish and the line hits the anchor rope, bottom of the boat, motor, etc. there is a MUCH better chance of the fish not breaking the line when it's heavier.

Same goes for when fishing from a pier. If the fish is going to the pilings I'd much rather have heavier line to control the fish better.

Bull reds and drum often travel in schools. Sometimes I will feel the line hit another fish in the school and have it come back all frayed up way above the leader. Smaller line would probably break.

Also, the heavier the line means the fish will be landed and released more quickly and another fish can be caught more quickly. I see people sometimes spend 2 hours fighting a total of 3 big drum or reds on light tackle and have them float off while we'll put 20 in the boat on larger tackle and have all swim off strong.

Well, that's my two cents on why to use larger tackle....

a few fish in 3 hours??? my buds and I use bass tackle and land 50+ reds in a matter of 5 hours of fishing. If I was on the jetty and worried about fish diving down the rocks and fraying the line, I can see where heavy line would come into play but in a boat, there is not reason for it. A TLD for a red?????

Here's a few pics so you know I am not full of it. Also, black drum fight about as hard as a log.
Last weekend

Look at the rod in the background.

I just dont see the reason for the heavy lines unless you are guiding and have fisherman on board that have no clue as to what is going on. In that case, I would have a heavy braided line to get more line on the spool. I am not trying to bash but unless fishing jetties, 20lb should be more than plenty. Also, what kind of reel do you have that can put out 30+lbs of drag? Avet or other conventional?? and for reds??? I do understand your argument of fighting the fish too long on light tackle but a good fisherman can usually work a good size red in fairly quick if he knows what he is doing. It is sad to see a warnout red float by without being vented. They just lay on top and float.
This one also caught on a low profile reel with 20 lb test and this was his first fish ever!!!!

My reels of choice and spooled with 15lb test on a 7'6 loomis rod.When dropping bait, a calcutta 400 spooled with 30lb braid does the job well.(I will use 30 on occasion but only braid as the mono is too thick in diameter)

As stated, I am not bashing but trying to pass on some good information. There is no need for the heavy line unless you just have no clue as to what is going on or you are worried about frays.

 

Stick with the 15 lb test.

 

Wel I am going to have to butt in again

I have caught and sucesessfully landed some monsters from the area and have never fished with anything bigger than a 6500 ultracast on a 7' med action rod....w/15# mono
I have never struggled more than 20 min. tops...those big guys put on a show for about five solid minutes and then it is a log your pulling up from 45' of water
Reds will put on quite a different spectical.... just a little longer

I see no reason in the world to hook a fish onto a boat winch and proceed with reeling him in....no sport to me

unless your hooked up with a 1200# blue marlin or your fishing for anything that is a racer then the need for winches is not there.....

I dont have any idea how big drums get but a 320GTI to me personally is too much reel

I surf fish with a 320GTI and a 140 squidder...that is wear you need big stuff to combat the abrasion of the sand.....

But I will get off my soap box....lol

people fish with different stuff for a lot of reasons and I am not saying any of it is wrong...I just like to fight THE BIG UGLYS...no other reason but for the fight....I do not keep them...and eat them...I turn them loose to try and figure out what the heck just happened ....
One of the biggest thrills in the world is to hold onto a reel and watch 100yrds of line rip off in a matter of seconds
Now come on and think about for a second.................. your standing on the back of the boat listening to the sound of the gulf...when all of a sudden that reel in the holder starts to click.....click click click........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


well did you get there??????????


I was right there

BOOYAAAA!!!!!

Dont get no better than that

I am going to be on the South jetty come Sunday Morning

meet me there ....Me and Zork and the kiddos

Tight lines

 

:help: What # line do you use for the "big" fish. I am going out on Fri and Sat at Pine Gully park pier and will fish crab for some large drum which have been good over there as of late. I am currently spooled with new 15# line but am concerned it may not get the job done if I hook up big. Also, what kind of terminal tackle would you recommend?

Thanks,
CoonBubba (RP in my past life )

PS A big HI goes out to my friends from gatherings past (Mont, DargelJohn, CoolChange, Mojo, Hardhead, Havens, and Walkin Jack:walkingsm ....just to name a few). I hope you guys are doing great and maybe we can hook up soon.

If fishing from a pier use 30lb. The pillings are tuff on line.

 

Spook this is a little different scenario than fishing from a boat. when fishing from the beach you need to take into consideration the abrasion your line takes from laying on the sandbars. not to mention a wad of trash and weed rubbing on it with the waves for hours on end.

no doubt 20# will handle very large fish like you stated but a little insurance helps on the sand.

I didn't get my boat until last year, I've alway use 20# main line on piers, shores, and jetties with out any real problems. If you can't handle a red/drum with 20# main line and a 40-50# leader with a med heavy rod rated for 20-30# then there is something wrong with your technique.

I'm not saying 20# covers every scenerio but that is a safe lb test to use for almost every species in texas other than sharks etc. Obviously using 30 or 40# main line would whoop up on everything but with that heavy line you are limited to what/how you can fish.

 

Thanks to everyone for the insight. I understand everyones point and do appreciate them all. Since I have a seperate light setup I decided to go with the 25# line on my med/heavy setup. I am using 10# on my light setup and will fish live shrimp under a popping cork with it. I bought some pre-fab leaders (60#) with a 6/0 circle hook and a slip egg sinker. So I think I am set.

Thanks again everyone. I'll give a full report Sat afternoon/evening.

CoonBubba :****

 

By the way ....CoonBubba...welcome to the board

 

Thanks troutslayer. With a handle like that I expect I can learn a lot from you. Mont sure put together something special with this website.

Saturday can't get here fast enough! I sure am glad the weather is going to hold out until Sunday.