blog.tacklemonkey.com

by Capt. Owen Lupton

What is the purpose of the short leader drum rig with circle hook?  That is a legitimate question some of you may have asked.  In an effort to save our big red drum, so the spawning stock can increase, the Division of Marine Fisheries closed the season on taking any red drum over 27” in length a few years ago.  Since there was an extensive fishery operating in Pamlico Sound on large fish over 27” it became apparent that status quo of using j-hooks and long leaders would result in killing far too many fish.  DMF was also very aware of the probability of this taking place, and was considering a night time closure for drum fishing.  DMF biologists reported seeing big drum floating at daylight on several occasions as a result of the use of j-hooks and long leaders.  It was then that I decided there must be a better way of catching these fish without causing so much harm.