NC Red Drum fishing...the Double D Wilmington saga continues...

[gottaflylee]

another Drum



Ok before we get to the fishing today, lets back up and remember the trip that DD took with the Nicks...something about a couple of nice Red Snappers...ya with me...
Well I somehow got invited to dinner with Double D and his wonderful other half as well as the 2 Nicks and their other half's...SFC's Godfather, "Bite Me" Lou and myself made up the "Odd Couple" for dinner, and what a dinner we had. The fish was prepared exquisitely at Szechuan 132 in several ways...

the wrap...




First course






Second course



The main entree



After all this food, to say that we were all stuffed would be an understatement, fat and happy we headed home with plans made for Double D and I to meet in the morning and hit the Drum flats. After a wonderful cup of coffee,were off for another big adventure.

With a little wind out of the north and much cloud cover the air temperature stayed chilled off along with the bite. We worked down the first bank seeing a fish here and there swirl and bust on the occasional bait, but no bites on our plugs. Working down another bank we finely found a nice school swirling and mudding but not actively feeding so we headed out of that cove. Toward the mouth of the cove, I saw something that I liked and cut the motor and let us coast with the wind. When we neared the outer point, Double D scored a hook up that ripped line off the reel. The big Drum ran into the pocket of the cove and then out to the point, pulling drag as hard as it could, another feisty one on the Gold spoon. As fast as it started, it was over, the hook pulled... I went to the back of the boat and eased the anchor over and we went to fan cast the cove, shortly, game on again...Double D, hooked up again...

this one stayed on to have her picture taken...



I smiled as that black and white furry thing flew out of the boat once again, pressure is off.



with her released, I took out the top water plug and worked the Top Dog as Doug worked the spoon. A nice one blew up the Top Dog and missed it near the boat. Second cast after that, the Top Dog scored. I hand Doug the rod so I could man the camera...

The fight...











another one that I like...



A quick unhook and...



picture time...



A wave good by....



and back to fishing. We work the area some more but after 3 fish being hooked, it was time to move. We eased out of the cove as an Osprey flew over us fussing about us being in its area. Still in 14" of water I put the boat into a circle and spin us up on plane and we head to our next spot. Pulling into the back of the cove, the Mullet were not jumping as they should have been due to the northern wind. When I pulled the motor back, coming off of plane, we bumped bottom in about 18" and I saw the first tell-tell signs that what we were looking for. Easing toward the bank, we saw a huge explosion as a large Drum blew up on a bait just down the bank from us.
We eased down, making sure that we cover the water well in front of us, seeing the active feeding Drum blow up again. Casting in that direction the spoon was getting slapped time and time again by spike trout that could not get hooked up. Working on down the bank, we see the big Drum swirl with its back out of the water, chasing bait, just out of casting distance from us. I pull the anchor once again and ease toward the Drum. I ease the anchor down again and hop up on the casting deck with Doug, working all the area inside and out into the flat.
I make a lofting cast to get the spoon as far as it will sail in the wind, no sooner had it hit the water and I shut the bail, the big Drum explodes on it...game on. I hand the rod to Doug and grab the camera...

game on...








God, I love that blue Tail...



into the boat for the photo opt...



and a star is born...





We work down the bank with out seeing much else and decide to look at a spot that I have not fished before, so off we went. When we got there, we were greeted with wind, current and clear water. Blind casting we each had a nice hit but never came tight and it was now time to head back to the hill. Happy with our day, we head out and bring another Drum...



to an end...hope you enjoyed the day as much as I enjoyed spending it with Doug...the pleasure was all mine Double D...

[clt_capt]

Congrats DD - Looks like a fine day on the water as told by a master storyteller.

Some mighty fine eats at the beginning too!

[Jesse Lockowitz]

nice report lee. that color topdog aint werth' a dern on them overcast days eh?

good to see waters warming and fish being more agressive.



Jesse

[Bite Me]

It was good to see Double D, Doug and the rest of the boys and girls again and with no disrespect to Lee, I had the least attractive "date" at the table. Food was great and as usual the company and conversation was better. Joe at the 132 has been cooking our local catches for years and never disappoints.

Tickled Doug got to go wet a line with you this morning Lee.
great post and pics.
Class act..............

[SeaBiscuit]

Fine slot fish there captain Lee and Doug! Bright blue tails too!

Glad that Doug & his bride got to experience a bit of Cape Fear NC this week with a special little "Asian" snapper dinner detour.

Thanks for the beautiful pictures & report.

SeaBiscuit

[Double D]

I'll tell you, Lee can really sniff those drum out! He stalked that last fish for a good 300 yards, then when we were in position, he put that spoon right on his head (not that we could see where he was). Lee didn't even have to turn the crank and it was game on. Thanks for a great day Lee, it was alot of fun.

Szechuan Joe - that man can COOK! What a great meal with a great group of people. Is it a coincidence that my 2 best meals of the past year were shared with Nick and Nick? I think not, these boys know their food

My whole trip was a testament to the best that this forum has to offer. What could have been a so-so trip was turned into a week to remember by the good folks I have met through this site. People were bending over backwards the entire time to make sure I was entertained, fed, educated, and kept warm and dry. Thank you so much Slip, Biscuit, Gottafly and Bite Me. I only hope you will let me try to reciprocate when you venture to the chilly north

[bigfish4me]

5 star report right here, nothing beats a great time on the water with great people.

[BOTTOM DWELLER]

Great report and catch Capt Lee and Double D. Between the Nicks and Lee you can only expect great fishing, good food and excellent reports.

[Squidnation]

phenominal post and great people down towards the southern. The nicks, lee and the godfather treat every person that make the trip as family.

If I were a real estate in the wilmington area I would be knocking on dd's door. Trips like those will make people want to stay forever.

[WAHOONBOX]

WHAT A COOL EPIC PHOTO ADVENTURE!


GLAD DD HAD A GREAT TRIP.....I JUST WISH HE WOULD CHECK OUT THE MOTHERLAND 90 MILES TO THE NORTH EAST AS WELL!