Fresh Water Drum

[Panman]

Read an Article about a large dieoff of these fish in Arkansas. Not being familiar with the drum I read several articles about the fish. It seems that some anglers look at the fish as a rough fish not worth eating while others give it high marks for its fighting ability and its table fare. Also read they could be taken on a wet fly. Would some of you give me your opinion about the plus and minus' of the drum?

Thanks: Tim

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/03/fi...1_lnk5%7C34367

[djo]

I have hit into pretty good fishing for drums a couple of times. Both times were in the spring and there seemed to be a lot of them in near shore (breeding or just feeding I do not know). They readily took nymphs, black buggers, and small foxy red clousers. The 5 pounders put up a pretty good tug with a 5 wt - I would compare them to largemouth bass (boy that will likely cause some flack). Both times I was fishing for gills and largemouth and the drum were pleasant surprises. I have never eaten one but then I would not eat a largemouth (or any fish out of an Iowa lake or river - if you think we can poison the nation's egg supplies you should see what we do with our waterways).

David

[quivira kid]

They do like Clouser minnows! I know that for a fact. Pull like crazy... They're a lot of fun to catch. My buddy's dad says they taste great, but I will stick to crappie, gills, and white bass.

[Mato Kuwapi]

AKA Sheephead... They also like crayfish patterns. They are fun to catch, but where I get them from, I wouldn't eat them. They will grunt when you're handling them.
Here are some interesting links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwater_drum

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...t-useless-fish

Some recipes:
http://www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/_doc...er%20catch.pdf

http://www.ifood.tv/network/skin_fre...m_fish/recipes

[zaxaca]

I grew up in Texas and we called them gaspergou.

[Thunderthumbs]

I've caught a few while sight casting to them along the dam of Clinton Lake in Lawrence, KS. Fun fish to fish for, fun to fight too. Haven't eaten any though.

TT.

[wgflyer]

Haven't got one on a fly, yet, but I've caught quite a few on jigs with plastic grubs, so I know they'll readily take a fly. Drum in these parts average roughly 2 to 6 or 7 pounds and their characteristic battle mode seems to be an initial drive for deep water that is very persistent. They really make the drag sing. I have noticed that they lose steam after the initial bursts of energy. But if you tie into one you better have your drag set properly.
Enjoy them. They're great fun.
Bill

[Bluegill222]

My best luck has been on small minnow patterns, very sparsely tied clousers, crawfish, and large dark nymphs. I've eaten a few, a bit oily, but not bad. On neat little fact, their native range is the largest north to south range of any fish out there and can be found from Manitoba clear south to Guatemala. Very adaptable critters indeed.