Vacation Starts on 10/15

"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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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