If a fisherman ever wanted to catch a really big red drum (redfish), this next month would be the time of the year to give North Carolina’s Pamlico Sound and River a try. The big drum are in our area to spawn and they’re hungry. All that’s needed is someone with a seaworthy boat who knows where these fish are feeding, some medium heavy tackle, some fresh mullet or spot for bait and a strong arm to fight these renown sport fish.

The Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system is known as one of the most important nursery area for many species of fish and shellfish. It’s a relatively shallow, brackish water system that (usually) has a good growth of aquatic vegetation to offer cover for juvenile fish and shellfish. In spite of some who feel that the area is too polluted to support such marine life, the system is one of the better known coastal areas in the entire world for both sport and commercial fishing.

There’s no better time to go fishing for these magnificent sport fish than right now.

The adult red drum swarm from the Atlantic Ocean during July and August to feed and spawn in the Pamlico Sound system. During this critical time, they are particularly vulnerable to both sport and commercial fishing.

The Pamlico red drum are renown for their size, numbers and table qualities as a food fish, qualities that led to an alarming decline in the red drum population a few years ago. New regulations have led to improved redfish populations and North Carolina now seems to have a sustainable population.

Although redfish are available to sport fishermen throughout the entire Pamlico area, if you really want to go out for the big ones, you need to figure on going out into the Pamlico Sound. You’ll need a good guide who’s familiar with the habits of the redfish and has a working knowledge of the notoriously rough water of the sound.

There are certain spots in the river and sound that seem to produce more redfish than others. Experienced anglers and guides have the GPS coordinates for these spots and can confidently locate a good amount of fish this time of the year. They know the tackle and fresh bait you might need to catch and release these redfish that may weigh up to a hundred pounds (The world record red drum was taken from the surf Near Hatteras in 1984. Angler David Duel took the fish, which weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces).

Although the fishing for red drum is often better at night or during the early morning or late afternoon hours, they can be taken at any time of the day or night. The drum often lie in the deeper parts of the sound during the daylight hours, invading the shallows during the night. The fish respond to the smell of fresh bait, such as cut mullet or spot. During the evening hours, good-sized drum may be caught in water that’s only a couple of feet deep.

Although most sport fishermen are urged to release all red drum they catch, fishermen wanting to keep one for eating are allowed to as long as it measures between 18 and 27 inches in total length. All others must be released as soon as possible after removing the hook. Circle hooks are recommended and anglers are urged to bring the fish to the boat as soon as they can to keep the fish from wearing itself out fighting the hook.