Tania and I were up bright and early Saturday morning—4:30 AM—to drive up to spend the morning fishing on the Indian River Lagoon. We met up with Captain Isaiah Michael of Reel Finesser Fishing Charters at the dock at 6:25 AM, eager to chase after some big black drum.

As we left the dock, a layer of fog appeared in the distance, but within minutes of heading south, we were entirely engulfed. Visibility dropped to about 15 feet, creating an eerie atmosphere. Thanks to modern GPS and mapping technology, we felt secure navigating through it, yet it was still an intense ride. About 10 minutes into the journey, Captain Isaiah reminded me that we had forgotten to start the day with a prayer, so I offered one as we continued toward our first fishing spot.

We were rigged up with 1/2 oz jig heads with 4/0 hooks, using Nomad Design rods paired with Shimano reels. Our setups had 20lb braid with a leader, and we were fishing live blue crabs cut in half—a prime bait for big black drum.

The weather started at 62 degrees with thick fog that didn’t burn off until about 10 a.m. Despite the limited visibility early on, the conditions were perfect for targeting drums.

We didn’t have to wait long before I hooked into a 15-pound black drum—exactly what we were looking for! Captain Isaiah’s brand-new boat was outfitted with an impressive electronic package, allowing us to track the schools of black drum in real-time. Tania and I were amazed by how accurate the technology was. Even better, Captain Isaiah went out of his way to assist other nearby boats, offering them tips on where to drop their lines so they could catch fish too.

We stayed in the same spot all morning because the action never stopped. Tania and I both landed two big black drums, but we also lost multiple fish. Unfortunately for me, I lost more than Tania did.

The day’s highlight was Tania’s fierce struggle with a massive black drum. She fought it for about 10 minutes, bringing it alongside the boat three times before it made one last dash. She was worn out, and when it shot under the boat, she couldn’t drop her rod quickly enough, unfortunately, it broke her off. The heartbreak was real, but that’s fishing!

The funniest moment came when I switched things up and threw a Vibe Trex (artificial bait). My first catch? A catfish—not what I was hoping for, but it gave us all a good laugh.

My last black drum of the day was extra special. I caught it on the Vibe Trex with 10lb test on a 2500 reel—a much lighter setup than we had been using. The fight was long and intense, and I was completely worn out when I landed the fish. But it was worth every second.

By the end of the day, we had achieved exactly what we set out to do—catch big black drum. Thanks to Captain Isaiah Michael for an unforgettable trip and for sharing his knowledge and technology. If you want to target trophy-sized black drum, I highly recommend booking a trip with him!

Tania and I send our best wishes to all fellow anglers. May your fishing adventures be safe, blessed, and filled with tight lines and good times! Until next time, keep casting and chasing those dreams on the water.

The Treasure Coast Chapter of Salt Strong now hosts monthly meetings in Fort Pierce on the 4th Tuesday of each month. These meetings offer a range of benefits to members, including a 20% discount on tackle, access to Smart Fishing spots, and insider information on local trends. Additionally, there will be monthly tournaments and guest speakers featured. To learn more about Salt Strong, click the links below for a FREE pack of Slam Shady or a 30-day test drive.