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The strong onshore winds will push bait onto the beach, though pier anglers have noticed that a steady offshore wind (out of the west) can suck bait close to shore and bring big drum within range of anglers casting off the planks.

Surf anglers also wish for nasty weather. Alderman said that a 10 to 15 knot southwest wind will turn on the action at south-facing beaches such as The Point in Buxton and the south end of Ocracoke Island.

"You want it rough enough to cloud the water and keep the drum feeding on the bottom," Alderman said.

Drum fisherman must master three skills: finding the fish, casting far enough to reach them and choosing the right bait to entice one of these big and powerful fish to bite.

Anglers new to the sport should focus their efforts on well-known drum beaches or on area piers so they can take the guesswork out of locating red drum.

But even an angler fishing in the right location will have to make a perfect cast -- more than 100 yards -- to get a bait in front of one of these fish.

Special gear

It takes highly specialized equipment to cast a big bait and bring in a big fish.

Folb suggests drum anglers use a 12- to 13-foot surf rod matched to a high-speed conventional reel.

"There are enough mid-range combos -- priced from $150 to $200 -- that you don't need a high-dollar rod and reel to start drum fishing," he said.

Hillsman spools his reel with 17-pound-test Suffix Tritanium line then attaches 15 feet of 50-pound shock leader to the mainline with a Bimini Twist-No Name Knot combination.

"The shock leader keeps the sinker from breaking the line on the cast," he said.

Alderman has come up with a twist on the traditional drum rig, which consists of an 8/0 circle hook snelled to a short length of 100-pound test monofilament. On the mainline, he slides a bead, a fishfinder rig and another bead, then he connects this line to the leader with a 150-pound test swivel.

"I leave the tag end of the snell long and stick it through the ring on the snap swivel on the fishfinder slide," he said, "which keeps the bait and sinker from spinning on the cast."

Once the rig is tied, he snaps a 6- to 10-ounce pyramid sinker to the fish-finder clip and threads a chunk of bunker, mullet or spot onto the hook.

"We use the same rigs and the same tackle on the pier and the beach," Hillsman said. "I'll fish all day on the pier and then run to the beach for the evening bite."

His marathon fishing schedule is hardly out of the ordinary.

There seems to be no limit to the extremes these anglers will go to in order to catch a big red drum, Hillman said.

"It's a good group of guys with a passion for fishing," he said.

If too much heavy holiday dining and snacking leaves you craving a different taste, lighten up with these great kabobs suggested by Carolina Outdoors correspondent Keith Hobbs.

Grilled Fish Kabobs

entree

1 pound firm fish steaks or fillets

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 bay leaf, crumbled

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley

lemon wedges

Cut fish into 1-inch cubes and place in bowl.

Combine all other ingredients except lemon. Pour over fish and marinate for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.

Remove fish from marinade. Thread on metal or wooden skewers, leaving slight space between each piece. (If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for 1 hour before grilling.)

Reserve marinade.

Lightly oil grill and place skewers on it. Grill over hot coals, brushing with the reserved marinade, turning once. Cook until done, about 6 to 8 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges.

(From "No-Salt Seafood," An Early Book by Joyce Taylor)

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