Drum Rig

[fish-aholic]

Ok, I'm going to spend the next week making up all my tackle for the Tourney coming up. I was thinking of Snelling 6/0 Mustad Circles with 60# or 80# Seaguar Flouro. Do you think the 6/0 is big enough? How long should my leader be off the hook? I've snelled them up short (4-5") and I've snelled them long (4-5'). for casting and effectiveness what would you recommend.

[Coop]

Jeff, all you need is 1 1/2" to 3" 80-100lb flouro leader,,,hooks,,,I use 10 mustad circle demons.

[fish-aholic]

wow, leaders that short???? what if I'm tying to a 40lb Shock leader? would a longer flouro leader be better for visibility?

[Charkbait]

distance distance distance distance distance

1.5"-3" I'm not tossing 10/0's because they are clunky but if heads are what you are throwing then you need some beef to keep them on the hook so follow coop's lead.

[chomper]

[Charkbait]

wow, leaders that short???? what if I'm tying to a 40lb Shock leader? would a longer flouro leader be better for visibility?

I don't think that matters...mono/flouro they'll basically be picking the bait right up off your swivel and sinker/FF.

[Bohica]

Man, this thread is gettin' me pumped. I caught my first Black Drum this May, and am looking forward to hopefully getting a red this year.

[Coop]

wow, leaders that short???? what if I'm tying to a 40lb Shock leader? would a longer flouro leader be better for visibility?

Yep,,,I really don't use flouro because it's invisible but for the fact that it's more abrasion resistent.

[trowpa]

[chomper]

The reds I caught in Daytona were comparable to schoolie stripers up here. Not near as big as the pics of drum i have seen taken in OBX or AI during the spring and fall runs. But they do get big way down south too. Check out some of those Texas reds caught on coastalfishingtexas.com or extremecoast.com. ...looks like alot of fun. Good luck down there...

[Coop]

Not all drum are caught with big hooks. I learned to fish from an old timer who always preached you can catch big fish on a little hook but you can’t catch small fish on a big hook.

But who wants to catch small fish ?,,,I bet that was an awsome suprise when you pulled that fish up.

[Steve]

I use that rig setup for everything, I just change the line and hook size to target specific critters.

[trowpa]

The reds I caught in Daytona were comparable to schoolie stripers up here. Not near as big as the pics of drum i have seen taken in OBX or AI during the spring and fall runs. But they do get big way down south too. Check out some of those Texas reds caught on coastalfishingtexas.com or extremecoast.com. ...looks like alot of fun. Good luck down there...

Thanks for the info Chomper!

[fish-aholic]

Ok, got started last night, respooled 2 reels with 20# Berkley Trilene Big Game and 40# shockleader on a total of about 10 reels. I have one reel that is still at my parent's house that needs a shock leader. I should be out tonight to pick up my flouro leader and hooks so I can make up my rigs. I will be all set before you know it. Oh, got a melting pot, I'm going to attempt to make my own weights too. I may try it like we did in hawaii. use wet sand around a store bought sinker, remove the sinker and bingo, there's a mold the perfect size......

[Charkbait]

damn that's a lot of rigs...better hope for a BIG cut in the bar!