Chapter 15 - How To Catch Channel Bass

The surf angler heaved his chunk of mullet bait into the ocean and it landed with a splash about 200 feet from shore. Then he backed up the sand beach and put his rod into the rod holder attached below his waist. He didn't wait too long, because a few minutes later something grabbed his bait and took off for Diamond Shoals, way out at sea off Cape Hat-teras, North Carolina. The line peeled off the conventional reel at an alarming rate. The angler grew panicky and clamped his thumbs on the revolving spool. The surf rod dipped into a wide arc, then suddenly snapped back as the line parted with a loud crack.

"Did you see that?" the surprised angler shouted as he reeled in the slack line. "Must have been a record drum. I'll bet he would have gone 70 or 80 pounds!" I sympathized with his loss but I couldn't hurt his feelings by telling him how big the fish probably was. Most likely it was a channel bass going somewhere between 20 and 50 lbs. That's the size usually caught from the surf during the spring run in North Carolina. But his real mistake lay in trying to stop the fish's run. Channel bass are stubborn bulldogs and fight like demons from start to finish, no matter where they are found.

If you want to try for them you've got a lot of fishing territory to cover. Channel bass range from Virginia south to the Gulf of Mexico, along the surf and in bays, sounds and rivers. At one time early in the 1900's they were fairly plentiful as far north as New Jersey and a few strays were even caught in New York waters. But today they are scarce in these parts and the best fishing is from Virginia south.

Although the name channel bass is the correct one, this fish is also known by many local names such as redfish, red bass, reef bass, red horse, bar bass, spot tail, beardless drum, red drum, drum and a dozen others. In Florida he's called the redfish and just plain "red." Along the Atlantic Coast he's usually called the red drum or drum.

However, the name "drum" tends to confuse him with his bigger, heavier brother, the black drum. Although they are related there's no comparison in appearance and fight. The black drum is a dark gray hump-backed fish with whiskers below its chin. The channel bass or red drum is a slimmer, more streamlined fish, coppery or bronze along the back and silvery and white along the sides and belly. A sure identification mark is the black spot at the base of the tail. In most fish there are only one or two spots on each side, but others may have more.

The channel bass or redfish is not a true bass but is related to the croaker family, which includes the drums and weakfish. Like most members of this family he can make a "drumming" sound—hence his name.

By any name the channel bass is a favorite with thousands of surf anglers. From Virginia to northern Florida and again in the Gulf of Mexico, the channel bass occupies the same exalted position among surf fish that the striped bass enjoys from Cape Cod to New Jersey. More surf anglers would rather catch a big channel bass in those areas than any other surf fish.

Your chances of catching a big channel bass in the surf are pretty good if you are properly equipped, go fishing at the right time, choose the best spots and know how to use the baits or lures. All this knowledge, of course, comes with experience, but the tips and hints outlined here offer a short cut which, if put to use, will bring results much sooner.

I cannot emphasize too strongly that the proper equipment is very important in channel-bass surf fishing. The combination of sand, surf, tide or current and a big channel bass on the end of the line usually proves too much for a weak rod, reel or too light a line or hook. These fish are real tackle busters and each year hundreds of big ones are lost because of faulty or inadequate equipment.

Two outfits are suitable for catching channel bass in the surf. One is the old favorite: the conventional surf rod and revolving-spool reel. Such a rod should go anywhere from 9 to 11 ft. in over-all length and should be on the medium or heavyweight side. The revolving-spool reel should have a free-spool, a star-drag and hold at least 200 yds. of 36-lb. test braided-nylon or Dacron line.

The other outfit is the surf spinning rod and reel, heavy enough to take this type of fishing. That means a surf spinning rod anywhere from 9 to 12 ft. in length with enough strength and backbone to cast sinkers up to 4 or 5 oz. The reel should be a dependable salt-water surf spinning type holding at least 250 or 300 yds. of line. With the rod described above you'll need a monofilament line testing at least 15 lbs. A beginner would be better off with lines testing 20 or 25 lbs.

The heavy tackle recommended above should be used when fishing for big channel bass in heavy surf and with heavy sinkers and large baits. If the fish are running small or the surf is calm you can often use lighter tackle, or if you plan to use lighter sinkers and small baits or artificial lures you can often get away with lighter rods and lines. But whether light or heavy your rod should be fairly long—not under 9 ft. and ideally 10 ft. in over-all length. To make the long casts that are sometimes required and to handle the long leaders on bait rigs, you'll find the longer rods best.

North Carolina anglers take many channel bass from the surf.

Two types of rigs are usually used to catch channel bass in the surf. The first is the standard three-way-swivel surf rig. On this rig the leader will vary anywhere from 2 to 3 ft. in length. No. 8 or 9 stainless-steel wire is best because of the occasional appearance in the surf of bluefish or sharks. The most popular hook for this fishing is the O'Shaughnessy, in sizes from 5/0 to 9/0. Smaller sizes are used for "puppy" drum up to 15 or 20 lbs., while larger hooks are used for the big 30-, 40- and 50-pounders. A good size for all-around use is a 7/0 hook.

The other surf rig is the fish-finder rig which makes use of a sliding ring. A barrel-swivel acts as a stop so that the sinker won't slide all the way down to the hook. The length of the leader and the patterns of the hooks are the same as those used with the other rig described above. (Both rigs are described more fully and illustrated in Chapter 4.)

The bait usually used for channel bass in the surf is mullet. It is almost always available and makes a good, tough bait which will stay on the hook. Freshly caught mullet is the best, but frozen or iced fish can also be used. Some anglers also use salted mullet, which is very tough and often works well. The mullet should be scaled and if it's a small one, say 5 to 8 in. long, you can use it whole, but if the mullet is a pound or more in weight it can be cut into chunks about 2 in. wide. Or you can fillet the mullet and then cut each fillet in half to make four good-sized baits.
Another good bait is mossbunker or menhaden, especially if it's fresh. It is oily and bloody and draws fish from a distance. Stale bunker is not too good because it is soft and comes off the hook too readily. Even fresh bunker is often tied on a hook with thread or rubber bands to keep it from flying off on a cast. When using bunker you can prepare it in the same way as mullet.

Still another good bait to use in surf fishing is the shedder or peeler crab. However, these are more expensive if bought and also tend to fall off the hook too easily. Hard blue crabs are also used but if you want to use them you should remove the top shell and tie the rest to the hook with thread.

Channel bass in the surf will also take clams, squid, shrimp and chunks of fish such as bluefish, croaker, spot and herring. I've even cut strips from channel bass already caught and used them to catch still more fish.

Although most channel-bass fishing in the surf is done with natural baits on the bottom there are times when they will hit artificial lures, so it pays to carry metal squids, heavy spoons, underwater plugs and jigs, to use when the fish seem in the mood for lures.

The big problem in catching channel bass in the surf is to locate the best fishing spots or the fish themselves. Sometimes, especially in the fall of the year, this may be easy. The fish appear in large schools near shore and the water above the fish looks reddish. At other times channel bass can be seen chasing bait fish in the surf or inlets.

Most of the time, however, you have to study the formation of the beach to locate the best fishing spots. Veteran channel-bass anglers search for sloughs or holes where the fish may be lying or feeding. A slough is found between the beach itself and the outer sand bars. It can usually be spotted by the darker, deeper and smoother water. The incoming waves crash over the outer sand bar, then level off until they reach the beach where they curl over once more. Another good spot is a cut or break in the outer sand bar through which the water enters and leaves. Still other productive areas are inlets which empty into the ocean. Channel bass can also be caught from piers or jetties which jut out into the ocean.

When fishing any of these spots it's a good idea to cast your bait as far as possible. Let it lie there a few minutes, then move it in a few feet. Again, let it lie; then move it. Keep doing this until the bait is almost on the beach. In this way you cover the entire width of the slough or hole. If you get no results in an hour or two you can move to another spot and try there.

In bait fishing it is important to give the channel bass plenty of time to mouth and swallow the bait. Don't strike when you feel the first pickup or nibbles. Instead, wait until the fish starts moving away with the bait—then come back with the rod tip to set the hook.

Over the years surf anglers seeking these fish have found that the incoming tide is most productive. So, many of them like to get down to the beach at low tide and fish the incoming tide right up to high water. Yet there are times when the best fishing is found in the outgoing tide. So if the incoming tide doesn't produce, try the first two or three hours of the outgoing tide.

Like striped bass, channel bass aren't afraid of a heavy surf and will often feed when there are plenty of breakers crashing on the beach. In fact, some of the best channel-bass fishing takes place when there is a moderate surf. A severe or prolonged storm, such as a northeaster or southwester, however, will usually kill the fishing for a few days, especially if the water turns dirty with seaweed. But immediately after the storm the fishing often gets hot. You can catch channel bass during the day, but the peak periods are around daybreak, dusk and often at night.

If bait fishing fails to produce, try casting a metal squid, heavy spoon or underwater plug in the surf. These lures are especially good when schools of channel bass are seen lying or feeding near the surface.

Along the Atlantic Coast there are two main periods when you can catch big channel bass in the surf. These are during the spring run in April and May and in the fall during October and November. Sometimes the fishing lasts into December. At this time many of the beaches from Virginia south to northern Florida may produce, but North Carolina from Nag's Head south to Topsail Inlet offers the most consistent sport. The most outstanding spot of all is the point at Cape Hatteras, where big fish are taken each spring and fall.

Almost as exciting as surf fishing is casting from a boat for big channel bass. The procedure here is for the captain of the boat to wait until he sees a school of channel bass swimming near the surface. Then he maneuvers the boat alongside the fish and two or three anglers cast metal squids, heavy spoons, jigs or underwater plugs at the fish. It is important not to cast into the middle of the school or the fish will be spooked. The idea is to cast ahead of the leading fish or beyond the main body of fish and reel through it. If two or three anglers hook fish at the same time, as often happens, there will be plenty of fun and excitement.

Instead of casting for the fish you can also try trolling on the outside of the school with big spoons or feather lures. However, in calm, clear water this tends to frighten the fish so trolling is best when the water is rough or choppy and the fish are feeding over shoals or sand bars. Boat fishing for big channel bass is usually practiced at Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet and near other inlets or spots where schools gather to feed or migrate. This tendency to gather occurs during the spring and fall months. For this fishing, you can charter boats together with the necessary tackle for casting or trolling.

Another form of boat fishing is practiced off Cape Charles, Virginia, during the summer months. In this case the fishing is done at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on the bottom, with a sinker and in water anywhere from 50 to 100 ft. deep. The hook is usually baited with a chunk or strip of bunker, but other fish, such as mullet, croaker and spot, can also be used. The fish often run big here, with quite a few in the 50- to 65-lb. class taken during June, July, August and September. So the tackle should be fairly heavy—a boat rod or trolling rod and lines testing from 36 to 50 lbs. will do the trick. The present rod-and-reel-record channel bass was taken in these waters: an 83-pounder caught by Zack Waters on August 5, 1949.

For light-tackle thrills catch a channel bass on a spinning outfit like this one used by Mrs. John B. Swift in the Florida Keys.

When we move down to Florida we find that it is only necessary or worthwhile to fish for channel bass in North Carolina style, that is with regular surf tackle, only in the surf from Fernandina Beach at the Georgia line down to around Vero Beach. This is because you often have to make long casts, use heavy sinkers and baits and may hook only an occasional channel bass in the 40-lb. class. In the rest of the state the reds run mostly from 3 to 20 lbs. A channel bass in the 30-lb. class is a whopper in most parts of Florida.

For this southern fishing I like a light salt-water spinning outfit which can be cast with one hand. A sturdy fresh-water spin reel or a light salt-water model matches this rod and is loaded with 8-lb. test line. With such an outfit you can cast the small lures used for channel bass in Florida waters. One of the best is a small yellow or white buck tail or nylon jig. Jigs are killers because they can be worked to resemble a shrimp, a favorite channel-bass food in the South. To do this you reel slowly and jerk the rod tip at regular intervals to give the jig the darting, hesitant stop-and-go movement of a live shrimp.

Other good lures for channel bass in Florida waters are small spoons, metal squids and underwater plugs. At times the bass will also come up and sock a small surface plug of the torpedo or popper type. Whichever lure you use, the thing to remember is that most of the time Mr. Redfish is a slow, methodical bottom feeder. He hasn't got the speed of a barracuda and prefers to take lures that are moving slowly. So lures that are worked at a snail's pace and especially near the bottom get the most strikes from channel bass.

Channel bass are also taken by the thousands with natural baits in Florida waters. They'll take small pieces of mullet, menhaden, crabs and shrimp. One of the best baits is a live shrimp fished either with a free line and no sinker or on the bottom with lead. The best hook sizes to use are Nos. 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0—small enough so that you don't miss the smaller fish that hit.

In Florida you can catch bass in the surf and from piers, docks, jetties, boats and the shore. The mouths of inlets and rivers themselves are always good places to try. During the winter months channel bass often move up the rivers right into brackish or fresh water. They also feed over sand bars, oyster and other shellfish beds and along the edges of channels. Channel bass can be caught in Florida waters all year round, but peak fishing usually takes place in the fall, winter and spring.

Channel bass can also be caught along the beaches and in the bays, sounds and passes in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas with methods and tackle similar to those used farther north. However, in these areas channel bass are also stalked on the flats by fishermen wading in knee-deep water. This is similar to bone fishing in the Florida Keys, where you first locate a fish before you cast. This method calls for plenty of patience and quiet footwork. In these shallow waters the reds are skittish and you have to be careful not to spook them. Any splashing or sudden movements will frighten them and they'll take off.

The tackle preferred in this type of fishing is a 6-ft. bait-casting rod with bait-casting reel and a 12- or 14-lb.-test braided or monofilament line. The so-called popping rods of this type are very popular. (See Chapter 1 for more details on such a rod.) However, light salt-water spinning outfits will also work fine. The most productive lure is a small nickel or silver spoon with a buck tail or feather, but at times the fish will also take jigs and small surface plugs.

Once you spot a school or an individual fish you should wait until you can get within casting distance. Then it's best to cast 3 or 4 feet ahead of the fish—not right at them. One exciting feature of this type of fishing is that you can often see the fish chase the lure. So you can delay your strike a second or two to make sure the channel bass has the lure in his mouth.

No matter where you catch him you soon develop a healthy respect for the fighting power and stamina of a channel bass. From the small "rats" up to the big "bulls" the reds rarely give up without first doing their best to smash your tackle. And they often succeed, especially with anglers who get buck fever or try to horse these stubborn mules. The angler who takes it easy and lets the fish run when he wants to lands the most and the biggest channel bass.

When you do catch channel bass, save those under 15 lbs. or so. They make pretty good eating if broiled, baked or made into a fish chowder. The larger fish can be eaten but they're coarser, stringy and have less flavor, so when the fishing for the big ones is good, many anglers keep one or two and let the rest go. After you've battled a big channel bass you can't help but feel that he has earned the right to fight another day.

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