Does anyone know when drums start biting?

[Stick500]

Last year I got into a great run of drums (sheepshead) in mid April in the mouth of the Turkey River (Miss. tributary S of Guttenburg in north central IA).

Since it's been so warm I'm wondering if they might be getting fired up early this year.

Is there anyone on this forum who has caught any drum soon after ice-out or are they primarily a spring fish?

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[mainbutter]

I'm pretty sure they're active even in cold water. I'd bet plenty get caught in upper 30s temp water. They've often been the first river fish I catch on the first open-water outing of the year.

[Selmer]

I'd say the question is more like, "When aren't sheepshead biting?" Nightcrawler on the bottom gets them every time...

[TonyKay]

go get em now with either a shiner or crawler on the bottom. they'll always take an easy meal no matter what the water temp is. i caught a bunch early last spring bouncing a spoon off the bottom.

[mainbutter]

anyone ever catch these on a fly?

[fishface]

Yes, VERY FUN, (wooly buggers on the 5 wt.)because when you find one, more are waiting.

Coon rapids darn is where I've encountered them, but not every year.

One year they are thick, the next, they are nowhere to be found.

Done best in very low water wading.

[lakeshoremunster]

Just bring yourself over to the still water power plant and get your fill, I herd that that place is full of them right now.

[Stick500]

thanks for the tip munster- I think I'll be able to get over to Stillwater there this week

I finally caught one to start the season on St. Pat's Day down in IA- it was a big one so I didn't keep it- didn't swallow the hook either!

[maplegrovefisherman]

Going sheepshead fihin tonight on the croix in Hudson. Kids love catching them. Will post how I do.