The Carolinas - Old drum: where's Waldo?

Thought it might be helpful to everyone in the hunt for old drum to have a resource to track where the bite is happening. We don't need exact gps coordinates just a general area to start in would be helpful.

For example, I am going to be in oriental this weekend. Have the fish moved into the neuse and pamlico rivers yet or are they still holding in the sound? Seems that this time last year they were near cedar island/brant island. I am looking to fish within a few miles of the oriental waterfront and was wondering if old drum should be on the list to try for.

O come on now...someone has got to be catching them by now?!?

Bite around the Neuse has still been really hit or miss, I expect it to fire off within the next two weeks. Still a tad early, although my buddy did have 9 two nights ago, but ran quite a ways, no where nearr the Neuse

Bite around the Neuse has still been really hit or miss, I expect it to fire off within the next two weeks. Still a tad early, although my buddy did have 9 two nights ago, but ran quite a ways, no where nearr the Neuse

I agree just hoping some might be running early we caught good numbers around oriental the first weekend in sept last year. Appreciate the heads up

We went 2 for 3 Friday night. One at 51" and the other was 47". Only fished about 1.5 hours...fish are in the river now!

Chris send me a pm.

Based on the boat distribution on Friday night, Garbacon and the mouth of the South River were popular. I was on an unamed shoal at a 4-9 ft break. We only managed one but left before dark. Haven't heard of any double digits yet. They are around, just not thick yet.

Fished one evening last weekend. We were out on the shoals past the bombing range and the bait stealers were really thick. We did manage two nice fish and ran in before it got too dark.

Lots of bait stealers but no drum near clubfoot on Saturday evening.

This is awesome information guys. I am planning to take my boys out on Friday or Saturday night, if the weather allows. My plans are to stay in sheltered water so they don't get freaked out if it gets rough in the dark. I used to have decent luck just off the channel leaving Hobucken headed out towards the mouth of the Neuse; depending on which way the wind was blowing determined where I would drop anchor. Is anyone else seen or heard of anything from that area? If we get out this weekend then I will post what we find.

had a friend fish at cedar island over the weekend and did very well

Fished cedar island last two nights, two fish monday and night none last night. Fishing hasbeen very hit or miss thus far.

This is awesome information guys. I am planning to take my boys out on Friday or Saturday night, if the weather allows. My plans are to stay in sheltered water so they don't get freaked out if it gets rough in the dark. I used to have decent luck just off the channel leaving Hobucken headed out towards the mouth of the Neuse; depending on which way the wind was blowing determined where I would drop anchor. Is anyone else seen or heard of anything from that area? If we get out this weekend then I will post what we find.


The area you are describing is close to where I caught this one last year. We have a trip planned, just waiting for them to get a little thicker. Looks like we went on 8-13 last yr and my buddy says it was a little early. We caught 3 that night. He's used to double digit nites.
I hope to get a better picture this yr.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture59514-imag0031.jpg

The area you are describing is close to where I caught this one last year. We have a trip planned, just waiting for them to get a little thicker. Looks like we went on 8-13 last yr and my buddy says it was a little early. We caught 3 that night. He's used to double digit nites.
I hope to get a better picture this yr.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture59514-imag0031.jpg

I didn't go last year, now that I think of it but we got addicted a few years ago when we caught double digits almost every night for a few weeks. We were fishing swan island mainly back then in 12' of water. My sons were too small then to go but its time for them to catch something they can brag about. If the weather cooperates this weekend I'm gonna give it a shot and will let you know. If not this weekend then maybe next week sometime. Good luck to you.

We are trying labor day weekend

Picked up one tonight at maw pt. Rough and wet, but at least we didn't get skunked.

Picked up one tonight at maw pt. Rough and wet, but at least we didn't get skunked.

That's exactly where I was talking about bringing my boys. I couldn't remember the name but now that you said it, I remember. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us Saturday night and we make it out there.

How bad are the crab pots on the run out ? The Pamlico is littered with them around Washington so I'm guessing they are bad there as usual.

That's exactly where I was talking about bringing my boys. I couldn't remember the name but now that you said it, I remember. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us Saturday night and we make it out there.

How bad are the crab pots on the run out ? The Pamlico is littered with them around Washington so I'm guessing they are bad there as usual.

About like it was when we use to go several times a week. I lost my numbers we had on Maw point, but know about where it was. Went a few weeks ago and skunked out. Got pretty rough and had the kids so we pulled up early and left. Remember the late night bites?

About like it was when we use to go several times a week. I lost my numbers we had on Maw point, but know about where it was. Went a few weeks ago and skunked out. Got pretty rough and had the kids so we pulled up early and left. Remember the late night bites?

What's happening Gary ?? I don't have the numbers of marsh pt either, just in my head I have a map with different places we did very dumb things at. Its hard to believe either one of us stayed married back then ;-) do you still have the same cell number, you used to have ? We had some good times, maybe we can have a few more. I would love to catch-up with you sometime. Hope to hear from you soon.

Released 11 last night on the west side of the bombing range. Looks like they may be working their way back up the river.

Released 11 last night on the west side of the bombing range. Looks like they may be working their way back up the river.

Its getting hot we'll be out there this weekend

Caught 5 last Friday on garbacon shoal. Hoping to go again Saturday afternoon or maybe Sunday. Let me know how you do cfarmd.

I headed out there on the 10th.

Had plans to fish tonight but those storms messed us up may try again tomorrow or perhaps later tonight

Got skunked last night. One cownose ...ray. No bigguns.
I'll try again mid week.

Rain has messed us up again...

Chris we just can't catch the weather right, no matter how hard we try. We will get on them before they leave cuz, for sure!

what tackel are you using size rods ect I know the rig but not the rod size. will 30 lb test line on speed masters slow them down? thanks

yea that will be plenty, i have caught 40lbers on 560 liveliners and 17lb test

Yep gunner is right on they don't really run all that hard after the initial strike

Fished last thursday and friday and got skunked in the garbacon/south river area. I did have the joy is netting some menhaden that have the alien parasites in their mouth though.

We went 5 for 5 last Thursday night in a few hours. Got set up by 930 and home by midnight to run offshore Friday. All fish were 50" to 53". Fresh mullet and chum blocks.

Caught 12 Thursday night in the river west of gum thicket, nothing until about 10 pm when the moon was high and the fish were chewin! Seems like the full moon really turned it into a late evening/night bite for a couple days. At least 10 of the fish were males, they must of just left the bar...

we went last evening/night and fished the mouth of west bay out of cedar island. we set up on a nice ledge, bait was everywhere, and the wind was pushing the bait off the point and out into deeper water. Perfect scenario, but we didn't get a sniff which leads me to my question.

What do you do when you cannot keep a bait on the bottom for 10 seconds without it being eaten by damn crabs? We had fresh mullet i caught in the cast net earlier in the day, and within a few seconds of sitting on the bottom it was gone. blew thru 10 lbs in an hour before moving to the frozen crap which was old and useless. We tried moving deeper which didn't help any. Do you pick up and run a few miles? I'm at a loss. I'm pretty convinced the only reason we didn't catch any drum was because we couldn't keep any bait on the bottom long enough to matter...what do i do next time?

We went 5 for 5 last Thursday night in a few hours. Got set up by 930 and home by midnight to run offshore Friday. All fish were 50" to 53". Fresh mullet and chum blocks.

just curious river or sound?

we went last evening/night and fished the mouth of west bay out of cedar island. we set up on a nice ledge, bait was everywhere, and the wind was pushing the bait off the point and out into deeper water. Perfect scenario, but we didn't get a sniff which leads me to my question.

What do you do when you cannot keep a bait on the bottom for 10 seconds without it being eaten by damn crabs? We had fresh mullet i caught in the cast net earlier in the day, and within a few seconds of sitting on the bottom it was gone. blew thru 10 lbs in an hour before moving to the frozen crap which was old and useless. We tried moving deeper which didn't help any. Do you pick up and run a few miles? I'm at a loss. I'm pretty convinced the only reason we didn't catch any drum was because we couldn't keep any bait on the bottom long enough to matter...what do i do next time?

Catch the crab and use it

Catch the crab and use it

we had a few we had caught in the net. put them out and something pecked them to pieces too...;?

Garbacon. I got a oyster rock right on a very steep ledge. I always set in 10 ft and can cast to 6 ft and 14 ft. All fish last thursday came on the shallow side of the boat. I stood on the end of my peir Friday night and it looked like a parking lot over there, only a few boats around Thursday.

Also, if you are in the bait stealers that bad, move. I would move to a different shoal. If I dont have a bite within the first 30 minutes on a spot, I'm moving.

should have moved...oh well

Taking the family Sat to fish for these old drum. Putting in at Hobucken. This will be my first trip. I bought bait today but if I can catch fresh bait Sat I will use it.

Taking the family Sat to fish for these old drum. Putting in at Hobucken. This will be my first trip. I bought bait today but if I can catch fresh bait Sat I will use it.

i firmly believe fresh bait is an absolute must

are there any ramps near the mouth of south river?

i firmly believe fresh bait is an absolute must So is the Bay River like the New River and full of bait fish this time of year? If so I'll catch some fresh. Thanks.

alright going tomorrow night where they at??

Yeah there is a ramp at the mouth of south river. Its a long way to drive around if you are on the Oriental side of the river though...

Yeah there is a ramp at the mouth of south river. Its a long way to drive around if you are on the Oriental side of the river though...

will be coming from morehead city, where is the ramp and is it public for a fee?

To the ramp at South River, from Morehead take 70 towards Beaufort. Make a left on 101 to Laurel Rd. Make a right on Laurel. That is where Parker boat plant is and capt Kennys BP gas station is at that intersection. Take Laurel to the end and make left on Merrimon Rd. Take Merrimon about 10 miles north toward south river. Hang a right on S River Rd when the road forks at the white church. Stay on S. River Rd. Stay to the right at the next fork (this is S. River Rd.) and stay left at the next fork (this is S. River Rd.) and the ramp will be on your left. Best I remember its $3 to launch, put in honor box. I've launched my 20' seacraft many times there. Coordinates from google earth are 34*57.699N 76*35.465W. I know this is very long winded but roads in this area are a maze if you dont know where you are going. I've made that drive from Oriental many times over the last 10+ years and still have to remember which fork to take sometimes. There is parking in the grass area next to the ramp.

Chris i'll send you a pm of where we have been fishing.

Landed 14 old drum Sunday night and lost 6. Hooked up a tarpon early in the evening for about 2 mintues before he spit the hook. They are there and they are hungary.

will be coming from morehead city, where is the ramp and is it public for a fee?

Put in on Radio Island. The boat ride is better than the drive. Probably faster, too.

Put in on Radio Island. The boat ride is better than the drive. Probably faster, too.

Yep agreed that's what we are doing

Just broke a 40+lber off at the boat...its slow and leaning towards rough

stop posting and fish

Dont let them whoop you!

Wish I was with you boys, have fun!

Got my first old drum today. 40 inches long with a 32" girth. Pulled like a freight train. Caught on a hunk of frozen mullet.

There is planty of thesefish out there and there are no secret spots!Hooked a tarpon and
went 19 for 23 fri night, mouth of the neuse! 15 min boat ride from oriental. mullet or shad on the bottom change baits every 10 min. if that!

Hey guys, we will be heading down on Wednesday night and pulling an allnighter for the big drum. Trying to get my dad catch a big one. I was wondering this, do you guys think that the drum are closer to the sound or are they further up the rivers this time of year. We will be coming from Atlantic Beach on my new to me 2310 Parker. I figured we would start at Garbacon Shoals and then move accordingly. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance

Had a cold front move in today, we fished two different shoals out of Oriental and got skunked. Hardly anybody on the water, we weren't able to make a long night of it this time and came in right at dark.

We had a great day on the Lower Neuse. We fished with Capt. Ray Massengill throu 4 Seasons Guide Service. We boated 8 Old Drum, had a 9 one come off near the boat, and landed a Blue fish and a Bull Ray. Well, we let the Bull Ray of with bringing him aboard.

As this was my first trip fishing for these fish, the Capt did a great job. He answered all my questions about how to fish'em, what to look for and explained a little bit about what was showing on the fish finder. As a new fisherman, I could have asked for a better combo.

we fihed locally to where I lived for a quite a few years, with a local guy that went to my high school, albeit a few years behind me, using a locally made boat - a 23 foot Parker Pilot house.

I have some pictures to post up later. We only photo'd a few fish, the rest we splashed as soon as we got the hook out.

Edit to add a link to the photo's

http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii241/bfeller_photos/Red%20Drum%2010%20September/

Does anyone know if the Wildlife Ramp in Oriental fills up during the day on Saturdays? I would like to launch from their to fish this Saturday afternoon.

Does anyone know if the Wildlife Ramp in Oriental fills up during the day on Saturdays? I would like to launch from their to fish this Saturday afternoon.

yes and there isn't much parking at all. I would say a dozen spaces tops and then you are forced to try and find something along the road. if you go in the afternoon...good luck. you can try the ramp at minnesott beach on dawsons creek

Better yet head to paradise shores. Right off the lower neuse.

Better yet head to paradise shores. Right off the lower neuse.

Is that a Marina?

Paradise Shores is the name of small community off of broad creek, the last creek on the north side of nuese river before it opens up on the pamlico sound, maybe 2 or 3 miles from old steel tower. I believe the marina is too named paradise shores. Doun couny!

Haven't seen it since the hurricane last year. I know they got hit hard down there. God's country, for man and mosquito.

Found it and used it. Thanks for the tip. It was. Short run out to the mouth of the neuse from there.

We only managed to hook up a single bull ray.

We went out of Hobucker Marina Saturday at 5am. Took awhile to catch bait and didn't get set up fishing til around 8-8:30 and evidently missed the morning bite. Once we got on some cooperating bait after 2 throws of the net and we had enough for 3 trips.:thumbsup:

Headed back to the marina mid day and picked up my bro n law's coworker and his son. Got back out and set up on a spot around 3pm and landed 1 within the 1st 30 minutes. Then it slowed down. Then our buddy got a call that his bro n law was hooked up with 3 (he was fishing solo). We pulled anchor and went to him. Around 6pm the bite for us got steady and we landed 6 more between 41" and 49". We boated 7 total for the day and hooked 3 more. Our buddies bro n law boated 9 solo. :o

I'm the good looking one (red shirt)
Here's my bro n law with his coworker's son. This is the 49"er.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61387-drumwithhoward1.jpg
Putting the heat on 'em
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61390-dsc03651.jpg
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61393-dsc03663.jpg
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61389-dsc03645.jpg
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61388-dsc03629.jpg
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61392-dsc03660.jpg
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/baypro21-albums-baypro21-picture61394-dsc03673.jpg

not too shabby boys...pretty work!

11 for 11 tonight at the mouth of the neuse. 2 'smallish' ones, about 34-36". The rest were monsters, well over 40" and fat. Gonna be a long day at work tomorrow, but the fish wouldn't let us leave! Every one of them was covered in some sort of parasite.

Yep, those are sea lice. They must not have been caught before. From what I understand they de-lice themselves when boated so if yours had lice they were virgin. We had to rinse the deck after each one boated.

Good job, strong ain't they? :thumbsup::thumbsup:

;cool;

Fished the same area Saturday afternoon and went 11 for 12, largest being 49 inches...good fishing boys better get after them now be over soon

Well we (Bodie, my brother, and my dad)went Wednesday night and the weather was clear but the sound was very angry. Left from Atlantic beach and was set up around 730. Since the wind was not at all what it was suppose to be and we were going to be there all night, we had to adjust our plans. Took shelter and anchored up very shallow. 11 fish from 45" to 54". Shrimp wrapped in bacon and hot dogs on the grill!!! Great first allnighter. But very tired the next day. Probably would have gotten more sleep if my dad didnt snore so bad. Pictures to come.

Haven't been in about 2 weeks, thinking of giving it a go tomorrow night. Anybody caught them in the river lately? Garbacon? Gum thicket? Or are they closer to the sound?

I was told they're getting them at Gum Thicket, and was sent a pic of a 60 lber caught there. I think it's more consistent down river though.

Caught these last Wed. with Lpwoodle on an all nighter. Had 11 or 12 o fthese big boys.

Caught these last Wed. with Lpwoodle on an all nighter. Had 11 or 12 o fthese big boys.

Where'd you put that big boat in? The 2 places I've been with my buddy (Hobucken Marina and Paradise something) can't handle mine (I don't believe).

Nice catches:thumbsup::thumbsup:

its lpwoodle's new boat a 2310 Parker. We drove it on the water from our places at Morehead City.

The wildlife ramp in oriental is pretty good. Deep water, ramp is great. Parking is tight, and road access is a little narrow.

I was thinking Oriental might have one, thanks. Not sure if I will get out there again this year but will keep that ramp in mind.

If you went all the way to Hobucken, you are just down the road from the cambell creek ramp. The ramp itself is nice with plenty of parking, but you do have to wind your way out a creek then run out of cambell creek.

Really pay attention for crab pots until you get to the ICW (about 1 mile) but I have launched 25 foot dual engine cats from there with no issue.

Caught these last Wed. with Lpwoodle on an all nighter. Had 11 or 12 o fthese big boys.

They are definitly some nice ones. We plan on fishing Friday or Saturday.

Very nice. That second pic is a hoss.

Going after them saturday afternoon/night out of clubfoot creek area. Any general areas to start? If you out there ill be on ch 68 "Pura Vida"

Boated 3 last night at the mouth of the Neuse. Two more hits that didn't hook up. Anyone do better up river?

We caught 7 fishing the mouth of souh west river right at dark.

I seem to be stuck on 3. But they were 3 hogs last night, 43, ~ 45, and 50 inches. My Buddy about 400 yds away had 6. Mouth of the Neuse.

Believe I fished close to you two last night, boated 2 at 44 and 47. Had to leave early to get a passenger back with a emergency.

So at 19 inches he’s nowhere near the largest fish here but to my son (4yrs old) he’s a whale , he hooked him up just out of oriental this past weekend. We did see some a bit larger but nothing to brag a

Last Friday about 10am caught a 55lber, 51" in the river on the South side of Oriental. 4 hook ups total. And a damn Cow Nose Ray that was like pulling a washing machine off the floor......

going back down weekend of the 13 and was wondering if they are still active??? hope so its all the 4yr old can talk about....thanks for any input? Rob