Black Drum can be found inside right now around the area bridges, docks and deepwater oyster rocks and structure. Cut shrimp is a sure thing. Speckled trout are coming from a lot of the same areas including drop offs and pot holes inshore. I like throwing a MirrOlure She pup, Saltwater Assassin curly tail under a Four horsemen Oval Cork and good ol 17 MR for the September specks. September is one of my favorite months for redfish. The shrimp are larger and on the move and the red drum are gorging themselves on the abundant shrimp and baitfish. We are throwing gold spoons, topwater plugs and various Saltwater Assassin plastics at the slot reds.
Tackle Tip
I spend a good bit of time in August and September chasing old drum and I get a lot of questions online about my popping cork rig. I will break it down for you guys this month. We are throwing 4000 series Shimano on MH rods with 30# Fins Sling Braid. (made here in the USA) I like a 5” Four horsemen Tackle popping Cork (made here in the USA) with a 6” Saltwater Assassin Seashad (Made here in the USA) on a 7/0-9/0 . ounce jig head. Those larger hooks guarantee a hook up when you get bit, and cut out any deep hook situations. The fish 99% of the time get that large hook in the corner of the mouth.
6-7” shot of 50# leader on top of cork attached to mainline with Albright knot 20-30” of 50# leader below cork attached to cork and jighead with either improved clinch knot or 100# knot depending on the brand of leader material you are using. I use Seaguar Blue Label and it accepts an improved clinch knot without any issues. The leader attached to the top of the cork prevents any twists and tangles with braid and the . ounce jighead pairs perfectly with large buoyant plastics for a slow fall after popping.
