The Outer Banks of North Carolina

Big Drum; the Night Time is the Right Time

By Joe Malat

At right: Puppy drum, such as this one caught by Chris Nowik, readily bite during the day but the trophy fish are often taken after the sun sets. Photo by Joe Malat

Onshore wind. Rising tide. Darkness. Three variables, when mixed together with prime surf fishing locations along the Outer Banks, can set the stage for a memorable drum fishing event this fall. Of the three conditions, nighttime is a major factor in the package. Big drum, typically a wary fish during the day, will venture in to surprisingly shallow water in the surf zone when the sun goes down.

Fishing at night is not easy, because you can't see what you are doing, but that's good. Big fish will let down their guard and come into shallow water to feed under the cover of darkness. Stumbling into potholes, being caught broadside by a wave, or throwing unimaginable backlashes are worth the trade out of sliding a forty-pound drum up on the beach.

Fish are creatures of habit, and will grow accustomed to constant lights, like those under a fishing pier or atop a bridge. Sudden bright lights, such as vehicle headlights or powerful spotlights, will spook drum that are already uncomfortable about being in shallow water. Never shine your vehicle headlights directly on the water; bright lights and big drum don't mix.

Ideally, you will be on the beach, heading to the drum hot spot before the sun sets, to check out the "lay of the land" and get rigged up before dark. If it is dark when you cross the beach ramp, turn off the dash lights to improve night vision, turn off your headlights and use only your parking lights as you approach the ocean. Keep your vehicle in the track, and SLOW DOWN.

At night I use a mini light on a neck lanyard while I bait and sharpen hooks, or tie knots. Lights that clip on a jacket or hat brim are also handy.

If you get lucky and hook a drum, resist the temptation to ask your fishing partner to follow your line with a light. A bright spotlight might spook the other fish, and kill the night vision others for several minutes.

There are many safety issues to be aware of when fishing the nighttime surf. A wader belt that will cinch tightly around your waist or chest is absolutely essential. Add a lightweight foul weather jacket or parka and you have a good combination that will prevent your waders from filling with water if you get knocked down by a wave. Wading out to a shoal or sand bar? Shuffle your feet slowly, to avoid a sudden pothole or drop-off that might make you lose your balance. Do you wear glasses? Secure them with a lanyard that loops around the neck, in case they are accidentally knocked off.

Be mindful of those around you. Remember, those guys can't see anything either. Look behind you with every cast, and watch out for the angler next to you. An eight-ounce weight flying through the air at the speed of sound can be a lethal weapon.

In business they say, "time is money". In fishing, time is fish! A school of drum might come to the beach and stay for only a short time. When this happens, you must move fast! Cast, hook a drum, get him in and release it. Bait up and do it again.

To be ready, in case this kind of miracle actually happens, pre-cut a handful of baits, and keep them in a plastic bait holder clipped over your wader belt. Tie up a dozen or so short leaders for your fishfinder rigs and carry a couple with you in a zip lock bag, in case you hook a fish that swallows a hook that can't be removed.

Learn to tie the knots you use well enough so you can do them in the dark. When you're on The Point surrounded by ten anglers with rods bowed over, and that many more fishermen are dragging drum up through the wash, that's no time to break out the knot book. Your hands will be shaking so much a simple knot can become a chore if you haven't already mastered it.

Fishing at night is fun and productive. But it's specialized, and to make the most of it you must be rigged up. Be prepared, be safe and go catch 'em!