Recreational landings reached an all-time low in 1997 of 38,327 pounds, the first year the restrictive regulations had an effect on landings. In 1998, recreational landings rebounded to their peak of 591,435 as the protected “super spawn” in the wake of the hurricane season of 1996 reached the slot size limit. Since then recreational red drum landings have averaged around 220,000 pounds and they were right on target at 216,115 pounds in 2006.

Red drum fishing will continue to be excellent. Plenty of big adult “channel bass” for catch-and-release fishing will continue to spawn in Pamlico Sound, as well is in the offshore waters, in summer and early fall. Only juvenile fish make up recreational fishing landings because the fish reach maturity at a length greater than 27 inches and therefore cannot be retained. The fish are protected against harvest beyond the three-mile extent of state waters jurisdiction.

The best places to catch the big adult redfish, which can weigh well over 40 pounds, will include Pamlico Sound, Cape Lookout, Oregon Inlet, New River and the beaches and bars of Cape Hatteras. However, newly discovered places for catching the big fish include the Brunswick County coast’s NCDMF artificial reefs, Bald Head Island’s beaches and the rocky bottom structure offshore of Fort Fisher.

Juvenile “puppy drum” swarm in all the marshes, with Pamlico Sound, Neuse River, Cape Fear River, Topsail Island, Middle Marsh, Core Sound and nearly any other of the major estuaries hosting large populations of redfish. The best time for catching puppy drum occurs in the warmer months in the estuaries and along the beaches in the colder months. The best months for big adult redfish are July, August and September in Pamlico Sound and September, October and November along the nearshore structure and in the surf of the southern and northern coasts.

SUMMER FLOUNDER
Summer flounder are primarily ocean fish, arriving at nearshore reefs and ledges in April or May and sticking around through early fall. But they still enter inlets and coastal rivers to mix with southern flounder. Summer flounder are 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 spots on most fish. The patterns on southern flounder are not distinct and the oscelli are absent.

The official word from NCDMF is that there have been improvements in the age-class structure, spawning stock biomass, and fishing mortality of summer flounder stocks since the early 1990s. However, NCDMF states that overfishing is still occurring and as a result, there is continued concern for the stock.

The commercial fishery takes the vast majority of summer flounder from Atlantic waters, but management includes restrictions on recreational fishing as well. In 1990, recreational landings of summer flounder were at a high of 523,591 pounds. The last several seasons, landings have been curtailed to around 200,000 pounds. In 2006, recreational fishermen landed 203,582 pounds, which was at least an improvement over 2005, when recreational landings were down to 176,483 pounds.

Unless fishing effort isn’t curtailed, summer flounder populations will continue to remain flat. Regulations aimed at reducing recreational harvest include bag limits and size limits, which are subject to change. Currently, recreational fishermen may keep eight flounder caught from offshore waters having a size limit of 14.5 inches.

Summer flounder commercial landings are controlled through the use of quotas and seasons. Offshore flounder rules have varied from year to year, with rule changes usually implemented in the fall or spring, so anglers should watch carefully for any size limit changes or season closures.

Fishing reports for summer flounder catches have been spotty along the North Carolina coast. It may be that they occur in abundance in one place to the detriment of another because the species is migratory. Best bets have been the natural ledges and artificial reefs offshore of Bogue Inlet, Morehead City, Southport and Wrightsville Beach. Ocean fishing piers continue to be excellent places to catch summer flounder.