Drum Fishing

[hoglaw]

So I'm fishing in the annual "Drum Rodeo" in Smackover Arkansas. I've never caught drum (on purpose) before, so I was wondering if anyone had any experience or advice. This is more of a cultural event and a big party for me, but I would like to catch some respectable fish.

I've caught accidental drum fishing deep diving crankbaits before, but I imagine this will be a live bait affair. It's on the Ouicita River, so I'm sure it will be big and muddy when we go (two weeks). Do drum hold in current this time of year? Are they on sand bars or gravel/rock points? Backwater or main channel? I plan on drowning crayfish and nightcrawlers until we find them, but a little knowledge would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance:

Hoglaw

[zander]

When I lived in Louisiana I caught lots of them and the Cajuns were always happy to take them off my hands, they called them "gaspargou" I caught them by the edges of fast water and slower water, deep eddies and places like that. They fight pretty good, wish they tasted the way they fought.

[hoglaw]

were you fishing live bait on the bottom, or were they accidental bass fishing hook-ups?

[oneshot]

I always used Worms close to the bottom.If your wanting to eat them,they die pretty fast so I always put them on ice.

oneshot

[jdmidwest]

I have always caught them on worms or jigs. They will take artificials if you pass one by them. I have hooked a few on rooster tails. We used to catch them all the time at Wappappello Lake when I was younger. The best time was in the spring while worm fishing during the white bass runs. Cut the rocks out of their head and you will have some Lady Luck charms. The dents on the rocks look like L's. Some kind of sensory device formed from calcium or something. Gives new meaning to rocks in the head. My uncle told me they are called drum because they drum their head on the bottom of the boat. They are fun to catch and put up a good fight. My aunt canned the fish and made fish patties out of them.

[jbeenemd]

Hi Hoglaw,

When is this "Drum Rodeo"? I am from El Dorado and have not lived down there in quite a while. I was unaware of this fishing event, when did this get started?

Jackie

[hoglaw]

Thanks for the advice. We fished live crawdads on the outside channel of main river bends. We all had limits to weigh, but it wasn't enough. We WILL be returning next year, as this was an absolute blast. The entry fee was $6, and the prize pool was $700 plus. There was another $10 for T-shirts, and another $10 for the 800lb crawfish boil. This was one of the more enjoyable events I've ever fished, though I'm sure it helped that we killed 3-30's of Busch Light in 24 hours.

pics here: livingroom.12003.net

[troutman11]

I accidentally caught a huge drum while fishing for catfish with a live, about 3 inch bluegill. It was a very fun experience!