Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Red Drum in North Carolina Outer Banks june fishing.

  • Sciaenops ocellatus
  • Seasonal Movement
  • Good

Summer pattern — tailing fish on flooded flats.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Red Drum · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

Swipe to scroll →
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Schooling fish in deep marsh holes. Typical water temp: 50–58°FGoodFeb — Good Same — winter cluster pattern. Typical water temp: 52–60°FGoodMar — Good Fish spreading back onto flats. Typical water temp: 58–66°FGoodApr — Good Spring redfish on flats and oyster bars. Typical water temp: 62–70°FGoodMay — Good Strong flats fishing. Typical water temp: 68–76°FGoodJun — Good Summer pattern — tailing fish on flooded flats. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 80–86°FGoodAug — Good Hot water — fish on cooler edges. Typical water temp: 82–88°FGoodSep — Peak Fall bull red run on beaches and inlets. Typical water temp: 76–82°FPeakOct — Peak Peak fall drum migration. Typical water temp: 68–76°FPeakNov — Good Bull schools dispersing back to bay. Typical water temp: 60–68°FGoodDec — Good Wintering pattern returning. Typical water temp: 54–62°FGood

Migration pattern

Resident year-round throughout NC and Lowcountry. Fall bull red run on Cape Lookout and Outer Banks September–November is one of the iconic American saltwater events.

Best locations

  • Cape Lookout
  • Oregon Inlet
  • Hatteras Inlet
  • Pamlico Sound

Top lures

  • Live mullet under popping cork
  • Cut mullet on bottom
  • Gold spoons
  • Soft plastic shrimp
  • Topwater plugs (skinny water)

Red Drum in other regions

Chesapeake Bay (Lower) →Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore →North Carolina Southern Coast →South Carolina Coast →Georgia Coast →Northeast Florida →All red drum regions →

Get a notification when red drum show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in North Carolina Outer Banks.

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