Sight-fishing is a popular way to catch puppy drum. But they can be caught from deep channels -- hence the name "channel bass" -- oyster beds, grassbeds and other structure in the marshes, rivers and inlets. The puppy drum fishing starts picking up in late March or April as the estuaries begin to warm. Puppy drum form schools numbering in the hundreds in winter, suspended over sandy bottoms where there is some reflected solar heat to warm them. Once spring weather comes along, the schools begin to roam everywhere, breaking apart into smaller schools.

DOLPHIN
Dolphin have been called the "perfect saltwater game fish" because they are abundant, fast growing and great tasting. Toss in the fact that they are one of the most gorgeous fish in the world, changing colors from yellow to emerald to steel blue with turquoise freckles in a neon flash when brought from the water. Now add the fact that they have incredible fighting abilities, displaying speed, stamina and aerial acrobatics.

They are also sure bets. Almost every trolling trip offshore for a variety of species from tuna to billfish will result in catches of dolphin weighing up to 70 pounds.

Dolphin can grow to 2 feet long in four months. As food for all sorts of predators, including fishermen, their reproductive and growth rates are incredible. However, there is still concern among anglers that some new techniques, particularly in commercial long-lining operations, adversely affect the dolphin population caught by the U.S. recreational fleet.

Studies have shown dolphin probably migrate from the central Caribbean Sea through the mid-Atlantic area off the coast of North Carolina, then to Bermuda and back to the central Caribbean. But the fact that dolphin are present off the state's coast all year long shows their population dynamics are more complex than is known. Tagging studies underway will shed more light for managers of this important fish.

Dolphin move to within sight of the beaches during northeast winds in mid- to late summer. However, they are much more abundant in and near the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, 40 to 60 miles off the coast.

Anglers catch them by trolling lures at 7 to 9 knots or by casting flashy jigs and lures with spinning tackle to schooling fish. Hooking a dolphin and keeping it beside the boat draws others in for a look, so they can be caught with spinning or baitcasting gear.

The average recreational landings from 1996-2005 were 4,478,921 pounds. It was above that in 2005 at 5,041,254 pounds. The average number of citations for 35-pound fish from 1996-2006 was 308. In 2005, 164 dolphin citations were issued.

The stock status is "viable." Anglers can expect continued excellent fishing for dolphin. The bag limit is 10 fish per angler per day.

SUMMER FLOUNDER
Summer flounder are primarily ocean fish, arriving at nearshore reefs and ledges in April or May and sticking around through fall. They do enter inlets and coastal rivers, where they mix with southern flounder. The summer flounder is identified by a triangular pattern of eye-like spots on the tail with the apex pointing toward the head. There are two more of these "oscelli" widely spaced top and bottom near the center of the body, making a total of five such spots on most fish.

The stock status is listed as being of "concern." Overfishing is still occurring despite a strong recovery of the population over the last decade and a half. Mortality has decreased and the stock biomass has increased continuously due to harvest restrictions.

Average recreational landings were 314,820 pounds from 1995-2005. In 2005, they were 177,223 pounds. Average citations for all flounder species combined issued from 1995-2005 were 377. In 2005, 330 citations were issued for fish over 5 pounds.