[dropcap]S[/dropcap]eptember is the time of year giant red drum enthusiasts are searching the Pamlico Sound and its tributaries for North Carolina’s giant redfish. Several different tactics are used to catch these giants; however, the most fun and exciting way to catch them is to use a popping cork or even a topwater bait. Believe me…once you see one of these giant fish come to the surface and attack your bait, you’ll be HOOKED for life!
Your typical popping cork setup consists of a medium-heavy to heavy-action cork-gripped spinning rod (lighter weight than a gimbal butt boat spinning rod for repeated casting all day). I use the Temple Fork Outfitters MH action Tactical Series Inshore Spinning Rod (7’). For the reel, I use a Quantum Cabo 40 spooled with 30-to 40-pound braid. You need to use braid for the extra capacity and longer casting distance to cover more water. I use a twofoot section of 30-pound leader tied to the braid using a uni-to-uni knot. On the end of the leader I attach the top swivel of my popping cork. I use the Bomber Paradise Popper (the kind with the scooped head which make more noise and throws more water when you pop it). I use an 18-inch shot of 60-pound monofilament leader material from the cork to the bait. For the bait, I use a Z-Man six-inch SwimmerZ or a seven-inch Scented JerkZ in white or some other sort of natural color. The bait is really insignificant. I like the Z-Mans because they have a great action and are very bluefish resistant. You also need to use a 1/4-ounce jig head (do not use anything heavier than a 1/4-ounce, as it will pull the cork too far under the water between twitches).
You also need to make sure the jig head hook is heavy gauge and has a wide gap. This type of jig head is difficult to find. Hogy Bait Company manufactures the Little Big Jig Head which is a 1/4-ounce head with a big Mustad 6/0 J-hook. This is the head that I use.
For finding the fish, look for bait activity on the surface. The more concentrated the bait and the more nervous-acting the bait, the more likely there are drum underneath. Remember….the presence of the drum is making the bait surface and act nervous. When fishing around bait schools, I’ve caught the big drum in three feet of water and all the way out in the middle of the river and sound in 22 to 23 feet of water. The depth doesn’t matter, but the bait has a tendency to prefer certain depths or changes in depth.