Winter Goliath Drum on Dale Hollow

[fishfindergeneral]

Now is a great time of year to test your arm strength on what i think is the hardest fighting fish in Dale Hollow lake. I think they could really give a stripers a run for the money. They are hard pulling, bull dogging fun. Here are a couple from my last two charters....

[chaseasl]

I actually enjoy catching them, although I've never fished for them exclusively, they are are hard fighters though.

[MNfisher]

WOW! How much do those things weigh? Do you specifically target large drum?

[jaystaler88]

What tactics do you use to specifically target drum? I've caught them several times on the Cumberland River and JPP, but always while bait fishing for other species.

[agelesssone]

For drum, use nightcrawlers fished on the bottom as these are bottom feeding fish.

Nightcrawlers fished on a walleye spinner rig is a good bet too.

We catch them a lot in the Gallatin Steam Plant discharge using 4 inch shad we net in the bay.

[fishfindergeneral]

We catch them with very small spoons, suspended near main lake points. Form 30 ft down to 80 ft or so. Usually over 120 to 140 ft of water. Yes, they can be targeted, mostly with clients that just want to catch fish, big fish. They feed on shad and alewives like most everything else in Dale.

[SAMBOLIE]

Originally Posted by jaystaler88

What tactics do you use to specifically target drum? I've caught them several times on the Cumberland River and JPP, but always while bait fishing for other species.

Use the same tactic as fishing for smallies. This always works for my partner. Really pi$$es him to catch one. Not because I make comments though.

Seriously I have always found drum where there was smallies.

[agelesssone]

Go to Gallatin steam plant, catch some small shad in a cast net, put them on a bare #5 circle hook, cast them toward the shore lines....soon you will catch one!