Chesser Decoys

Fine Decoys and Eastern Shore Hunting

Since 1973

Fishing for Drum

The Eastern Shore is legendary for its trophy black and red drum fishing. Black drum are held in high esteem for their table qualities, while red drum are more famous for their athletic fights. If you are interested in fishing for either of these species, we can accommodate you. In addition to specific trips, however, drum fishing lends itself to combination trips. For example, the best black drum fishing is in the evening. What better way to spend a gorgeous Bay sunset in late May than battling a 70 pound behemoth drum the evening before a relaxing day of speckle trout fishing on the flats?

Holden Creek's fishing boat, a 22' Jones Brothers skiff, is ideal for this type of fishing. The cockpit area is open and easily maneuvered while "hossin" on a whopper drum in a hard running tide. This boat is also very stable given its flat bottom hull design.

Generally, trophy drum fishing on the bayside is a medium tackle affair using bait. Large fish and very heavy tides are often encountered where these fish are concentrated. However, for light tackle enthusiasts, there are some opportunities to try these large fish on light gear, especially if they are destined for the table (black drum are somewhat susceptible to mortality during long fights). The picture below is the one that got away. Capt. P.G. Ross had this 4' long black drum, estimated at 60-70 pounds, within feet of the boat on 8 pound test line spooled on light spinning gear. Unfortunately the line chafed in the end and, happily, the fish swam off vigorously. But man, what a fight! Sometimes you remember the ones that got away a little more than the ones that didn't!

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