Inshore Hatteras · Pamlico Sound
Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus · also called Redfish, Puppy Drum, Channel Bass
The headliner. Pamlico Sound holds NC's strongest red drum fishery.
Red drum are the bread and butter of an inshore Hatteras trip. The Pamlico Sound estuary is one of the most consistent red drum fisheries on the East Coast, and the slot fish that come to hand at 18 to 27 inches make for a great photo and good eating.
We sight-cast on the shallow flats in spring and fall, drift cut bait through the inlet on outgoing tides, and jig deeper holes when the water cools. In October and November, the spawn brings citation-size fish over 40 inches into reach for catch and release.
Every angler aboard usually puts at least one red drum in the boat. Repeat customers come back for the citation reds.
Most reviews on TripAdvisor mention red drum by name.
When to book
Red Drum season at a glance.
Book a red drum trip
Target red drum with Captain Doug.
Half-day or full-day. Out of Teach's Lair, Hatteras NC. Call Doug to confirm peak-season dates.
More target species
