As the water warms in March and fish make their way back toward the beach from the warmer ocean waters, surf fishing starts to heat up the action. On calm clear water days surf casters may be fishing lures for puppy drum. Gold Hopkins and STTR series Mirrolures are great baits for these early season puppy drum, and they can often be effective before these first cool water fish are actively feeding on bait.
Once the water warms enough for bait fishing, usually high 50’s or low 60’s, puppy drum rigs and drum rigs become popular choices, such as the Tradewinds puppy drum rig, Joe Moore drum rig, and Sporto rig. When the wind breezes up strong from the SW, warm water may bring in the citation sized red drum. Surf conditions often require 6 ounces or more of weight to fish in these currents, which requires a strong 11 or 12 foot surf rod rated (click to see more)
