Looking to go for Red Drum

Hey guys,

My arrival is fast approaching and I'm dying to have my first go at red drum. I'll be staying in a condo on the beach. I have my own surf rod and I'm just wondering what I need to get going for red drum. Simple locations and suggested baits and retrieve styles is all I need. I'm a very experienced fisherman and just need some simple pointers to get started with. Anything will be appreciated. Thanks in advance. P.S. if anyone would want to fish one of the days I'm down there for a couple of hours to show me the ropes, that'd be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Ryan

perdido pass and fort morgan from what i've heard are some of the best places to surf fish for reds, small live mullet or bigger cut mullet are my preferences, I only fish for the big bull reds though, if you want to catch those, use a size 5-7 circle hook, a pyamid weight with size depending on the strength of your rods, I use everything from a 3oz to a 6oz, use about a 2-21/2' shock leader with a clip swivel for a slider(for the weight), put regular swivels on both end, and add a 1' leader for your hook, i'd use 60-80lb mono shock leader and 80lb single strand wire for your hook, sharks are thick out there, really hope this helps, but I can't tell you squat for little slot reds, sorry

The Little Lagoon Pass area is sometimes as good as those other locations this time of year.
Plus nice redfish are randomly being caught in the surf by fishermen targeting whiting and pompano.
Some nice sized black drum too!

So besides the 'big rigs' it wouldn't hurt to try a lighter outfit for 'just about anything' ;-)

coming from some one who fishes fort morgan point alot during the fall and the winter the best advice i can give you is if the current aint moving you aint catching. also the best bait is 3-4 inch live ly's and finger mullet. use a carolina rig with an egg weight that will hold up to the current and a 30-40 pound mono leader. with a size 2 circle hook the fish will practically hook its self with the circle hook just let the line get tight before you set the hook. oh and there is also alot of sharks out there so if you get bit off a couple times you switch to 32 pound steel leader. :headbang: :shark

How do the fish respond to artificial baits? I'm more accustomed to using casting baits (strong musky and bass fishing background) but live bait is certainly doable if it will get me into fish. Is it easiest to just hang out on the beach and cast it out and let it sit? I've been dying to catch a redfish all of my life haha. I'm not worried about having to spend a little money to get this to work too.

[quote author=kingkiller7255@gmail.com link=topic=2943.msg26704#msg26704 date=1363904617]
with a size 2 circle hook the fish will practically hook its self with the circle hook just let the line get tight before you set the hook. [/quote]

If you set a circle hook, you're likely to come up empty. When the fish takes the bait and begins to move off, simply begin reeling. Not trying to cross his eyes takes some getting used to. But the design of the hook is such that when you simply reel, the hook will turn and take the fish in the corner of the mouth.

O trust me I understand how a circle hook works out, done some fishing for catfish in my life time haha. I'm just trying to get a handful of things I can try out. Like I said, I've seen these fish fight and I can say that I know I'm already addicted. I need to get my first fix and this week will be my perfect opportunity

Good luck. Hope you get your wish and catch a big un. :fishing:
Also, might give the old stand-by spoon a try.

If you're not the 'chunk & soak' kinda guy you might want to try a big spoon or better yet a 4" Gulp Shrimp on a 3/4 or 1 ounce jighead bounced off the bottom.

You would do well to go on the link at the bottom of Pier#r's replies---he is an excellent shore guide and could be a big asset for you in your search for the bull red if you can catch him with an open date.

[quote author=Haywire link=topic=2943.msg26722#msg26722 date=1363913317]
You would do well to go on the link at the bottom of Pier#r's replies---he is an excellent shore guide and could be a big asset for you in your search for the bull red if you can catch him with an open date.
[/quote]

True dat. You're not going to get a better shot at it than taking HW's advice.
Especially since you said:

[quote author=SconieBassHunter link=topic=2943.msg26706#msg26706 date=1363904978]
I'm not worried about having to spend a little money to get this to work too.
[/quote]

Spending a little cash in the right place is a small price when it comes to scratching a bad itch.

Back in the fall i caught quite a few reds and one good one on gotchas at west beach pass,,,,and also used finger mullet on a circle hook casting into the current

Twitch baits in the goon.. That is all

So what I understand so far:

-Live and cutbait on circle hooks in a carolina rig fasion
-Twitch baits in the lagoon (from shore?)
-Gotchas (what size and color?)

Anything else I should consider?

Follow #r's advice about the big silver spoon - bout 4"-2oz maybe...? Lotsa fish that'll eat 'em. White w/ red head gotcha is a favorite. Won't hurt to have a couple silver or gold ones. Personally prefer the smaller gotchas - not sure of weight.

The little place across from Wells Fargo when coming into GS called Twice the Ice gives best bang for buck on ice. Self service 20lb bulk for $2 or 16lb bag for $1.75

You left out calling Pier#r. He can get you off to a start that you can't do for yourself. ---And, no, I'm not kin to him---I just know the value of a good guide.

Bull reds are a BI catch for me while mackerel fishing but slots are yum. :eat: I would go with Pier#'s original advice and use light gear in the surf for whiting and pomos and the occasional red. You will get a better fight on lighter line IMO :headbang: But for a bull dead bait in the bottom at west pass during the fall is decent also. And I would suggest releasing the monster to let em' fight another day. :)

I'd pay for a guide but my dad is already paying for a 6 hour offshore trip. Otherwise the guide would definitely be in the cards for me. College student running off of a tight budget. I'm willing to spend some money on tackle and that's about all I've got. Next time I come down I'll consider a surf guide but this time around I'll need to go it alone. Thanks for the solid reference though