Dam area - July 3

[Quillback]

I launched at Indian Creek, but spent most of my time fishing the rocky banks between the launch and the dam.  Got out early, started about 0545 and got off the water at 10 AM.  

Pretty good smallmouth bite, mostly 12-14 inch fish, but caught 4 that were above that keeper mark of 15".  Zoom UV Speed craw on a 3/4 oz Carolina rig was what I caught them all on.  Didn't catch any green fish.  Did catch a drum that I estimate went 7-8 lbs.  It was hooked in the right ventral (I think that's what it is called) fin which gave it some extra oomph on the fight.

I don't think I caught a fish in anything shallower than 15 feet.  They were around rocks, if I could feel my weight banging over rocks I was confident I'd find a bite.  

Quite a few boats fishing the deep water by the dam, I wasn't close enough to see what they were doing, but I bet they were striper fishing.  

If you get out early, the rec traffic isn't too bad.

Surface temp 84-85.

 

[Johnsfolly]

Congrats QB. Nice bunch of fish, even the drum!

[Quillback]

3 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

Congrats QB. Nice bunch of fish, even the drum!

They are strong fish (drum), fun to catch, but I have to admit it is a bit of a letdown when you see them.  I knew it wasn't a bass, but held out hope that it might be a big walleye or striper.  

[Ham]

Heck Man, I love catching Drum. Gaspergoo are a fun fish to catch. I’m not disappointed at all when I catch one. 

[Johnsfolly]

The last one that I caught was my personal best and I was fishing the Current River with @Ham. I'm sure that I didn't smile when I caught that fish either !

I sight fished that one. So knew what it was.

[Ham]

And I still think I was happier you caught it than you were. I still owe the Current river Goo some payback. Way too often they turn down my offerings. 

[Terrierman]

I still don't get how redfish are so sought after and their freshwater brethren are considered by many to be trash fish.

[Johnsfolly]

1 hour ago, Terrierman said:

I still don't get how redfish are so sought after and their freshwater brethren are considered by many to be trash fish.

Pretty sure that before blackened redfish became a national dish, the redfish were thought of as a less than desirable species as well. I have been reading up about black drum on the eastern seaboard. They're gaining in popularity as well because they can get really BIG.

[Terrierman]

I won't put a knife on any drum.  They're fun to catch though!

[Ham]

I won’t kill a Redfish to eat. Lots of better options out there. Love to catch them ZERO interest in eating one again. 🤮

The Black Drum I have caught were beasts to subdue. Gotmuddy caught a mammoth one that I can’t imagine the pull from.