Bald Head Island red drum fishing started slow this morning, on the last stop we landed two-slot size fish making for a great ending for the charter.
Fishing the backwaters close to Bald Head island can be a challenge at times, the key to finding fish for me lies in the tide stage. Experience over time has given me the knowledge of where to fish whether it is low tide or high tide. This comes with many years of experience, watching the grass line banks for the movement of the finger mullet can be a good indicator. Watch the actual movement of the grass itself could mean a red drum has bumped the blades.
Rods and Reels
My favorite fishing rod for the red drum is a 7′ rod sold by “The Reel Outdoors” out of Emerald Isle, N.C. TRO817S70 8-17 lb test line. With a Penn Fierce II 3000 reel loaded with Ande 15 lb.test with a 5′ piece of ande 30 lb. test to help with the abrasion because fishing around oyster beds can cut your line. Use a standard Carolina Rig, an egg sinker that slides on the line, a barrel swivel, and a short 6″ leader of Ande 30 lb.test as a leader. Hooks used are 1/0 or 2/0 Kahle by Eagle Claw.
Baits
Favorite bait is the finger mullet, they normally show up late June or first of July, they are caught using a 6′ cast net. This is normally when the red drum bite turns on in the backwaters of the Cape Fear River. Other baits include shrimp, fillet a croaker into 4″ strips this makes an excellent bait in the heat of the summer. Bluefish is an oily fish it also makes excellent cut bait.
Artificial baits Rapala X-Rap is my favorite.
The weather was beautiful clear skies mild temperature made for a great morning to be on the water.
Cape Fear Guide – Capt.Mike Dennis – 910-619-0928
210 Peninsula Drive, Carolina Beach, N.C.