Freshwater Drum.

[jdmidwest]

Was sitting around bored tonight and was surfing the net, it is that lull between deer season and duck season. My last muzzleloader deer hunt ended Sunday and I can't find the time to duck hunt till Wed. or Thur. Came across this article on Field and Stream and thought I would run it up on here. As a youth, I spent a lot of time on Lake Wappappello and the St. Francois River system. One of the fish we loved to catch and eat was the freshwater Drum. One spring, my uncle and I caught enough to fill several jars with the rocks out of their skulls. The little growths in their heads with the L's engraved on them like Lady Luck. We always made a habit of cracking skulls and extracting the rocks. Pretty good eating, cut off the red meat and keep them fresh. At the same time we would catch striped bass also, so it was always a good fish fry. Any one else on here enjoy the sport of fishing for freshwater Drum?

Field and Stream, Freshwater Drum

[Stoneroller]

caught a couple of 12 inchers both times I fished LOZ this year. both on a white crappie spinner bait. they fight really hard for their size. never eaten one though.

[jdmidwest]

The do fight good, they bulldog like a catfish. I have caught some weighing over 4 lbs while crappie fishing that really strained a light weight rod.

They are pretty good eating depending on where you catch them. Water quality is always a plus, brackish water produces the worst tasting fish while cool river water makes the best. You can fry them or can them.

[Al Agnew]

They are surprisingly common in some of the streams I fish. When the water is clear I see a lot of them on the Current and Meramec, and I'm surprised that I don't catch more by accident. I've been disappointed a number of times when I hooked a big fish while bass fishing that turned out to be a big drum. Takes a little time but their refusal to jump or even come up close to the surface will make you realize after a bit that you don't have a bass.

The best way to actually fish for them is with crawdad tails, according to people I know who do so. But they'll hit deep diving crankbaits pretty well.

Bob Todd, former owner of the River Hills Traveler, targeted them for a while so that he could prepare them like blackened redfish. Since they are the only freshwater member of the same family that redfish belong to, they are pretty similar to redfish in taste.

[Guest]

Big Muddy rivers and their oxbows.

I grew up catching them along the St.Francis River, Ark river, Miss River.

Usually worms and crankbaits over there.

I've connected with a few big drum this year on numerous Ozark lakes.

smoke grub marinated in shad LPT

I caught a 9lber on a spinning rod during the Ark Big Bass Bonanza a few years back.

Thought I had it won, until that Gasper Ghoul rolled into the net. LOL

Grennel have a knack for eating pig and jigs too. Mean bastards...

[jdmidwest]

We used nightcrawlers and minnows for bait. I have caught them on jigs, cranks, and even the flyrod while bass fishing on the Saline creek.

Interesting note about the blackened redfish recipe, may have to try that this year.

[Mitch f]

Was sitting around bored tonight and was surfing the net, it is that lull between deer season and duck season. My last muzzleloader deer hunt ended Sunday and I can't find the time to duck hunt till Wed. or Thur. Came across this article on Field and Stream and thought I would run it up on here. As a youth, I spent a lot of time on Lake Wappappello and the St. Francois River system. One of the fish we loved to catch and eat was the freshwater Drum. One spring, my uncle and I caught enough to fill several jars with the rocks out of their skulls. The little growths in their heads with the L's engraved on them like Lady Luck. We always made a habit of cracking skulls and extracting the rocks. Pretty good eating, cut off the red meat and keep them fresh. At the same time we would catch striped bass also, so it was always a good fish fry. Any one else on here enjoy the sport of fishing for freshwater Drum?

Field and Stream, Freshwater Drum

I think the rocks in their head are called the "Otalith" ? anyway did you ever notice that when you hook a drum (usually in the middle of the river in current)with a jig, they always seemed to hooked in the bottom lip? I was told by an old timer that they cant see the bait until they twist upside down to get a better look. Don't know if its true or not but I DO know that a high percentage are hooked in the bottom lip. Absolutely cant keep them off my wiggle wart in the lower Meramec. And for a split second, you always think you caught the grandmother of all smallies!! They are fun to catch!

[creekin bassnerd]

Ive caught many of them over the years fishing Arkansas river valley lakes. Usually fishing a crankbait when my bait gets slammed and rod tip doubles over. They definitely bulldog like a catfish. I appreciate the fight as I usually catch one when the bass aren't biting. Always pisses me off when my primary bass crank breaks off in one of their mouths.

Was watching a fishing show in the great lakes and they were calling em sheepsheads. Never thought about eating one, but maybe I should. Theyre definitely abundant. Would never eat a grinnel though, just ain't that hungry, yet.

[ollie]

I can't keep them off my line when I fish Elk River! If I don't catch at least one on every trip I feel like I have done something wrong! lol When we were younger we use to crack open the head and take those things out too. When we had enough Mom would put them on a necklace. Don't think we ever wore one, but always thought it was "cool". Never ate the meat though. He considered them trash fish and not worth his time I guess. We did always wonder if anyone ever ate them however. Now I know!

[Outside Bend]

I've caught a few while white bass fishing in northern Missouri, never any larger than 15" or so but still fun on light tackle. I've heard they're good eating once the red meat is removed- blackened, grilled or steamed.

Maybe it's something I'll have to try this season...