The Elusive Black Drum

I guess the black drum tails started popping up in the NMZ in November.  Since then I made about five or six visits there targeting them.    I had the privilege of fishing with Mike Admason on a couple of occasions and also with Barrie Mann.   Funny , but prior to our day fishing there together, Barrie was in disbelief that fish even did such a thing as tail.  Even though we were basically shut out that day, he left with a smile on his face thanks to the ubiquitous tailing black drum.  The smile was later erased when his pick-up truck was later rear-ended, but that is another story that he can tell if he chooses to.

So why five trips in the span of a month?  When it comes to conquering some sort of fly fishing challenge, my theory is that the shortest path to victory is emersion.   Two summers ago I had an obsession with catching snook on the beach.  I went down to bathtub beach in Stuart week after week until I was successful.   Fly fishing is clearly one of the least productive ways to fish.  If you want to “catch” fish, the spinning combo should be your friend.    However, it is my feeling and that of many other club members that there is a degree of satisfaction that comes with fly fishing that is not there with conventional tackle.  We know that our odds improve significantly when we can sight cast and when we make a good presentation, and fly selection also comes into play.

What makes fishing for black drum (BD) in the NMZ so compelling?  There are many factors, and let me point out my favorites.  Sight Casting – these fish tail and they are easy to spot.  Occasionally you will find singles and doubles but most likely you will find a school or grouping of fish.   Their sheer size.  Mike and I marveled that we could be in 30” of water and still see tails.  That would be because many of the fish are greater than 30” long.  Incredible!  A small BD is 15lbs, the big ones go over 40lbs!  You get lots of shots -  get on a group of BD, say 8 or 10 fish and you can spook a fish or line a fish and the school stays in tack.   You might disturb one, but the rest hang around oblivious.   They are also somewhat difficult to spook.  There were times when I was able to take 10-15 shots at a single fish.

You were probably thinking, wow 10-15 shots and no take?  He must be either a terrible caster, the fly or presentation is flat out wrong, or the fish are just completely disinterested.   Well, casting does need to be “spot on”.  Since these fish do not spook easily save yourself the aggregation and sneak up on them.   To do it right, you really need to wade and be very cautious of stingrays.  They are everywhere!  A 20” cast is safe.  Inside of 10” feet and they will likely see you.  However one of the most valuable lessons I learned came from casting at a fish about 8 feet away that did not see me.  The water was clear enough that I could actually see how the fish moved on the fly.  And coincidentally I still went for the hook set too soon!  As far as flies are concerned, crab patterns work and dark bunnies, or “Bunny Boogers”  as John Kumiski likes to say.  Presentation is tricky too, more on that later.

OK, so did mark actually learn how to catch a BD, not just cast at them?  Yes, he did!  I was able to refine my presentation, my approach and my hook set and brought two to the boat, and lost another when the leader broke while I was trying to heft him to the boat.   There was a fourth that I battled for about 5 min.    Since I recently broke my 8wt rod, I was using a 6wt, which is not recommended.  A 7-9 is probably best.

This was one big fish!!!

Here is a second one: