Go ahead and take some leave from work for the holiday season. And since you’ve got the free time, go shopping… for red drum! Outside of boats and tackle, material items are overrated anyway. Instead, give your family and friends the gift of a fun fishing trip.
Red drum are not as active with the cooler temperatures, but on a bright sunny day they’ll be in search for food. Start at daybreak, preferably with an incoming tide, and grab a cozy spot out on the pier diamond. Rig up some shrimp on a bottom rig, then cast, sit and relax. When they strike, smaller red drum will fight with sporadic motions and jerky pulls, whereas bigger bull reds have a more consistent solid pull in one direction. Once landed, one can see their dark reddish color gleam off the scales on the back all the way to the spotted tail. Remember to be conscientious of fish not within slot limit, as they are more prone to exhaustion in the winter water. As always, catch and release when appropriate.
Joey Crawford
Folly Beach Fishing Pier
jcrawford@ccprc.com
(843) 588-FISH
