4-4-15 report.

[Chillfish]

Launched around 8:00 am at highway 12, and never fished out of eyesight of the ramp.

Water temp: 56. Stained but not muddy.

Began with spider rigs with live bait with no success. Began trolling flicker shad shortly after.

Color: white and silver

Stayed in depths from 14 to 18. Lots of crappie and white bass suspended. Managed four crapie @ 13" and one more @ almost 14. All full of eggs. Also caugut about 12 white bass with 5 keepers, most of which were also full females. Fairly early on I caught my first drum, which was around 3 lbs.

[Feathers and Fins]

Very Nice, congrats.

[Guest]

That's a nice mess of fish.

I'm just curious, are you gonna eat that drum that's laying on the tailgate?

[wc1063]

Very nice!!

[Chillfish]

Im going to try it. I have heard some people say they are great and some say they are terrible. Should know for myself tomorrow. Looks too much like a redfish not to try.

[JohnF52]

Drum have a very firm meat with large flakes. Almost the consistency of shrimp. Rather strong flavor. I don't enjoy eating it very much.

[J-Doc]

I stopped by the 12 Birdge area. Looked like I-40 come 3:00 with all the bass boats flying through. Lots of traffic and that point across from the ramp at 12 gets beat on like a punching bag as the last stop before weigh in.

I found a wad of crappie but I couldn't get them to bite with all the noise and fuss. That and I've not had that much luck finding the right color as as well as feeling the bite. The crappie bite has been so very soft for me. Just barely feel it. And I'm using a B&M Uncle Bucks Super Sensitive graphite rod with 6lb flouro. I managed to get some later on a dock using tight lined live bait. Even then at 8-10ft below my boat. Could barely feel the bite. It's like they were tickling the bait instead of eating it. No "thud, tick, or tap tap tap". It was much more subtle than that. When you have to stop and think, "did I just feel something?"......it was that kind of bite for me.

I didn't get a limit so I let mine go. I've got a report to write up so I'll save the pics and such for that.

Nice job on the crappie. Let us know how the drum turnsout. :-/

[Chillfish]

Ok, I ate the drum. I will begin by saying that my family moved to the area 23 years ago from florida. The only fishing we knew was salt, with redfish being one of the favorite targets. It is also my Dad's favorite fish to eat. Last night I was with my family, so we heated up some oil, put salt and pepper on the fillet, and popped it in. Every one of us ate some, and the consensus was that it was a really tasty fish. The flesh was firm, but not off putting, and the flavor was full, but in no way fishy. My dad and brother kept saying how much it tasted like redfish. My wife and mom even liked it, and they are the type that won't touch a fish if it has even the slightest fishy flavor. I'm sure most of you are now thinking I am either crazy, or have lost my taste buds. I will say that the fish went on ice as soon as I caught it. It has a line of red meat, just like white bass, and I'm guessing that if allowed to expire in a livewell, it would be strong and fishy, but with an ice bath, I would eat these fish over and over. Point your fingers and laugh all you want at this Florida Cracker, but I just added another fish to the "keep list" on Beaver Lake.

[hoglaw]

I've always heard that they're good to eat when properly cared for. Good on you for giving it a shot.

[Kayser]

Drum are great, but tough if overcooked. Slice into thin pieces across the grain to fry them, or just blanken the loins. Used to troll and fill the cooler with 3-5lb drum and not think twice about it.

Plus, there's no need to worry about other people muscling in on your spot!

Anyways, what speed do you troll, and what size baits? My trolling game is way off recently, and I need to change that.