Surf’s up! Time to hook it and cook it: A Virginia Delicacy!
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WFXR) — Surf’s up!
On Virginia’s Eastern Shore in April that means it is time to grab your surf fishing rod and head to the beach to target black drum.
Black drum move into the region from April to June. They are large fish, sometimes reaching lengths of five feet long and weights of 100 pounds.
There is nothing too complicated about going after black drum; it is basic bottom fishing in the surf.
Assateague Island is one of the first places on the Atlantic coast to receive a run of black drum.
“We have some high-low rigs, circle hook rigs,” said Jimmy Vasiliou of Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle in Chincoteague. “Use clam, crab, and sand fleas. Tip them with Fish Bites in clam, crab, or sand flea. They eat more crustaceans, but they will eat a fish, so don’t be afraid to vary your baits.”
While the technique is easy, you do have to pay attention to your bait.
“Change your baits every 15 to 20 minutes and vary your casts, too,” said Vasiliou. “A lot of people keep the same bait out there for hours. you might get lucky, but your bait’s probably going to be gone by then.”
A lot of people look forward to the black drum run because it means access to a Virginia delicacy, fried drum ribs.
The ribs of the fish are sectioned out, dredged in flour, dipped in egg, then coated with cracker or corn meal, and deep fried.
While you can catch your own, fish markets and restaurants on the Eastern Shore also have them to sell at this time of year.
Ray Twiford sells drum ribs at his restaurant and seafood market, Ray’s Shanty, on the road into Chincoteague. Twiford is also a commercial fisherman and sells the drum he catches. Fish that were swimming in the morning, could be on the table or in the market that afternoon.
“It doesn’t get any fresher,” said Twiford.
The window to catch or purchase black drum is limited. The fish are generally on the Virginia coast from April into June.
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