Vacation Starts on 10/15

Flying into New Orleans this Saturday and then we are driving to Dauphin Island. I shipped my rods via Fed Ex yesterday to the realty company. How is the land based fishing right now? I'll probably come check out the pier a few times as well.

What is the best tackle store on the island?

In MD we do not using popping corks - I'm assuming these can be purchased on DI? I've made a bunch of drum (redfish) rigs but they just for bottom fishing with cut bait.

I'm also bringing a Shimano TLD 25 down - if I paddle a bait out a few hundred yards are sharks still swimming around this time of the year?

'Ship & Shore' is the closest thing to a 'tackle store' on DI.
or try Jemison's Bait Shop at heron Bay Cutoff.
Either should carry popping corks.
Sharks are still there!

You may also want to try Southern Bama. It is located on Dauphin Island Pkwy before you make it out on to the island. That's where I usually stop to get my bait when I make my way out there to fish. Live bait would be your best bet if you're using a cork. I kayak fish around the bridge and have always done well in the past.

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

'Ship & Shore' is the closest thing to a 'tackle store' on DI.
or try Jemison's Bait Shop at heron Bay Cutoff.
Either should carry popping corks.
Sharks are still there!

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Is bottom fishing with cut bait or shrimp going to work or do I need to use a popping cork - targeting drum.

I've made drum rigs with 80lb mono w/ 5/0 and 7/0 circle hooks.

I've also got some gulp minnows and gulp mantis shrimp I'll be jigging with. I plan on using sabiki rigs with some fish bites to catch bait fish.

Any advice would be appreciated.

80 lb is a little heavy for my taste if you are just targeting drum. As far as rigging, it will depend on what part of the island you plan to fish on. You mentioned paddling in your earlier post, if you have a kayak, you may consider fishing out of your kayak on the back side. Could really open up your options.

15# or 17# mono is plenty strong enough for Black or Red drum, up to 25+ pounds, imho. We do not target drum; our " heavy " test is 10# mono, and we have landed many drum over 20#. The knot and drag are the biggest factors, I believe. Good luck, hope you have a ball.

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Originally Posted by bodebum

15# or 17# mono is plenty strong enough for Black or Red drum, up to 25+ pounds, imho. We do not target drum; our " heavy " test is 10# mono, and we have landed many drum over 20#. The knot and drag are the biggest factors, I believe. Good luck, hope you have a ball.

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What type knot and explain drag, Thx

There are dozens of terminal tackle knots, leader knots, backing knots. Knots for off shore, fly fishing; it is an endless list. My personal favorite terminal knot is a Palomar knot. See netknots on google. Drag is the point that the spool slips rather than the line braking under strain. That isn't the best way of explaining it, just my sense of it. I keep my drags on the light side of line strength.

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Originally Posted by tyjordann

80 lb is a little heavy for my taste if you are just targeting drum. As far as rigging, it will depend on what part of the island you plan to fish on. You mentioned paddling in your earlier post, if you have a kayak, you may consider fishing out of your kayak on the back side. Could really open up your options.

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I'm not using 80lb as my main line - just for the actual drum rig. I'll running 15lb braid for my main line.

Still don't see the need for an 80# leader, it will reduce the number of hook-ups. 20# is more than enough.

I've landed 25# black drum on 8# mainline with a 15# flouro leader.

5/0 & 7/0 hooks is overkill, IMO, too. I use #2 baitholders. The line will break long before you break a hook.

"explain drag"

That little knob at the top of your reel that adjusts the tension on the line, allows the fish to pull line out before the line breaks.
Properly set drag allows you to fish a large fish on light line and to put pressure on the fish without breaking your line.
If you are not fishing around structure, let 'em run.

Also, are you targeting black drum or red drum?
Black Drum will be on bottom, a Carolina rig 1/2 a fresh small blue crab is about the best bait out there.

Redfish/Red Drum, may be on bottom, but also may be around docks, creek mouths, & marshy edges. Live shrimp or a jig under a cork, fished just off the bottom works, as does bottom bouncing a jig. Flounder and specs may also be caught.
If you have a kayak, I would paddle out into the north side and fish the marshes, rocks & structure around both sides of the airport and in Dauphin Island Bay.

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Originally Posted by CarlF

Still don't see the need for an 80# leader, it will reduce the number of hook-ups. 20# is more than enough.

I've landed 25# black drum on 8# mainline with a 15# flouro leader.

5/0 & 7/0 hooks is overkill, IMO, too. I use #2 baitholders. The line will break long before you break a hook.

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I'll be using 20lb leader when fishing jigs and hard plastics. I guess I am just used to using heavier gear for fishing the Atlantic. The rigs with 80# is just for surf fishing. I'm bring 20lb and 50lb leader with me, I can always adjust while I am there.

Thanks for the advice on the north side - my condo is located to the right as soon as your cross over the bridge.

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Originally Posted by animalbarrie

Thanks for the advice on the north side - my condo is located to the right as soon as your cross over the bridge.

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You are in the right spot then, just launch from the condo. Fish the lights at night too.