[OldBay]

We are gearing up to fish the NCBBA red drum tournament in a couple of weeks. Everyone is hoping Matthew blows by with minimal impact to Hatteras Island (and the whole east coast for that matter).

The tournament is catch and release, and anglers can wait up to 15 minutes for a judge to come measure your fish on the beach. I am looking for suggestions on how to keep a big drum in the water, and comfortable while waiting for a judge. Last year I caught a nice fish and ended up basically bear-hugging the fish in the surf until the judge arrived. I ended up soaked and sandy from head to toe, but the fish was fine.

There must be a better way. No gaffs are allowed in the tournament so a lip gaff won't work. I considered a long handled boga grip but I think the sand and saltwater would kill that quickly. I may just buy a pair of fish lip gripper pliers but there must be a better solution. https://www.amazon.com/Fish-Grip-Ad...d=1475675569&sr=8-4&keywords=fish+lip+gripper

What do you guys do or what do you suggest?

Thanks, Jeremy

 

[ASK4Fish]

I use the plastic lip grippers attached to a short(<10') rope to hold my fish and I've yet to have one come undone. A mooring rope with a loop on the end to wrap through the mouth/Gill plate(not between the rakers) also works, just be sure to try and let the fish do what it wants and don't jerk it around in the surf to reduce the chances of damaging the fish in any way. Walk em like a dog down the beach to the judge if it will speed up the process. Key here is to release the fish as quickly as possible and still get your points...

 

[cooper138]

Last year I had one during the tourney we called the judge pretty quick into it. Before the judge arrived I just held onto the bite leader 4' of 130# and positioned her between me and the beach in the wash. I kinda knelt down and cradled her on my feet, leader in left hand rod in right hand angled toward the beach. Plenty of water flowing over. After judged ok'd the catch I handed my rod off and was easily able to cradle her up and onto the board. Long story but just kinda imagine crouched down almost like a catcher with the fish between you and the beach still in the wash. Have waders on and a spotter for big waves. Keep cell phone handy. Hope you have a buddy with you.