In 1971 the North Carolina General Assembly officially designated the Red Drum as the state saltwater fish.  There is, however, little known about the lifecycle of the Red Drum after the puppy drum stage (up to app. three years).   Their migration habits for adult courtship and spawning still remain a puzzle.  The adults aggregate in large schools moving southward in the late fall for the winter and northward in the early spring for the summer.  They feed on shrimp, crabs, and other fish.  It is believed that the fish can live approximately 60 years.  

It is believed the spawning occurs in inlets and the young fish in and around Pamlico Sound.  Their name Red Drum is due to the fact that the males make a loud distinct drumming sound by vibrating a muscle in their swim bladder to attract females.  The Red Drum is related to spotted sea trout, weakfish, sea mullets, croaker, spot and black drum which also make drum sounds. Its color can range from a deep dark coppery color to almost silver, but they are most likely found to be reddish-bronze.  The Red Drum has a black spot on its tail also known as a false eye which could possibly attract predator fish to their tail instead of their head giving them a better chance of escape.  A Red Drum averages in weight from 30 to 40 pounds.  A young Red Drum is also known as a Puppy Drum weighing approximately eight pounds and this is most likely the size you caught most often.  In 1984 a huge Red Drum was caught off Hatteras Island weighing 94 lbs 2 oz. Out of the 16 current world records 10 of these Red Drum were caught in North Carolina.

The brook trout, or speckled trout as it is called locally, is the only trout native to North Carolina is found only in cold water streams of the mountains. This brilliantly colored fish is easy to identify by the white strip, outlined with black, on its lower fins. Brook trout could once be found throughout the mountain counties, but because of having to compete with the rainbow and brown trout, land usage changes resulting in habitat changes, over-fishing, and competition, they no longer are found in such a wide range. Instead they are found mostly in relatively remote headwater streams. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are now attempting to protect these trout as a special resource and in 2005 the State General Assembly declared the southern Appalachian Brook trout (AKA “Specks”) as the State Freshwater Fish.  In another effort to attain this goal, Rainbow and brown trout are not stocked into streams which contain only easily caught wild brook trout. Today’s typical brook trout is eight inches or less in length and rarely over 12 inches. Because of their small size and likelihood to be found in small, overgrown streams the brook trout seldom get to put up much of a fight when hooked.

Fishing License

Before you begin to fish in North Carolina it is important to realize their fishing License regulations.  Saltwater licenses cost $15 for NC residents and $30 for non-residents.  If you obtain an resident adult lifetime saltwater license it will now cost you $250.  You don't need a license to fish from an ocean fishing pier or off of a charter boat, but if you are fishing saltwater areas of the sounds, surf fish on the beach, fishing from a bridge, from a private boat or a bridge you will need a saltwater license.

In the freshwater area  of the sounds, Kitty Hawk Bay and Kill Devil Hills, behind Duck and Corolla etc. you will need a freshwater license.  Don't forget to check the area for snakes and  or alligators.

The wildlife resources commission has worked hard creating easy access to public Fishing  areas by clearing banks of underbrush, constructing handicapped-accessible fishing piers, creating graveled or paved parking lots, installing fish attractors, or baiting the areas with grain or fish feed. 

There are community fishing areas located primarily in parks owned by the city or county that provide fishing opportunities in intensively managed bodies of water. Community Fishing Program sites are stocked periodically in the spring through early fall with channel catfish that are ready to be caught.  There are also tackle loaner programs similar to that of a public library. Parents are responsible for children under the age of 18 and upon return of the tackle, the participant will receive a free mini-tackle box containing hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and a stringer.   At some sites adaptive fishing gear can be loaned to disabled anglers.

The public fishing access areas and community fishing program site maps have been divided into three areas: The Mountain Area , The Piedmont Area and The Coastal Area.

Surf Fishing

Although the surf has crashing waves that beat the sand and powerful rips currents  the fish not only survive they thrive in this environment. They love the high oxygen levels and the plentiful food supply.  The sandy bottom and is home to clams, marine worms, sand fleas marine snails, shrimp, crabs and above the sand live a large variety of small fish. 

Once you have made the decision to try surf fishing, Little expense and effort is required to catch a fish from the beach.  All you need are a few rigs, a rod and reel and some bait.  Now is the time to visit your local tackle shop.  They are not only in the business of selling bait and equipment they often relish the opportunity to hand out free advice on how to catch the local "big one". 

Deciding which bait to use depends on what kind of fish you want to catch.  If you are fishing for spot, sea mullet or croakers you want to try bloodworms.  Bloodworms are safe bait from skates and rays.  You can stop off at your local seafood market and purchase small shrimp with the heads on.  These work better than frozen shrimp.  Either way keep both the bloodworms and shrimp in a cooler on ice or in the fridge.  Avoid getting any water in the bag with your bloodworms or they will die for sure.   If the smaller fish or crabs are eating your shrimp or bloodworms from the hooks try using squid.  Cut bait (fresh oily mullet stays on the hook longer) or menhaden is good for trout, bluefish, stripers, red drum and cobia.  Flounder love live minnows while live eels are the feast for stripers.   Hooking the live eel a few inches from the tail will encourage it to try to swim away and avoid a tangled line.   Use gloves or a rag to hold the slippery eel and remember to avoid getting bit.  Green eels don't bite.  Keep them cool and they will live out of water for several days.   Fish can be picky and what works on time might not work the next time so be prepared to try different size and kinds of bait each time you go out.  Try digging for sand fleas when the waves roll out to sea.  You will see the little sand ripples as the water resides and if you are fortunate enough to have a sand flea scoop you can easily fill it up.  Keep them cool and dry and you will have enough bait for several days.  Kids love digging for sand fleas.

If you are taking food and drinks to the beach for an all day fishing on the surf, I suggest you carry two coolers.  One, the size is optional, especially for bait such as bloodworms that you will later cut into small pieces, squid that you cut into triangle shaped strips, shrimp or mullet cut into chunks or strips.  You don't want your bait to dry out in the sun and you want to keep your bloodworms alive as long as possible.  If you are fishing for dinner you will want to place your catch in your bait cooler.  Baits are seasonal and the fish you are trying to catch will definitely want his/her meal to be as fresh as possible.  It won't hurt to carry along some artificial shiny and heavy enough to cast lures.  Choose lures that look as close to small, real fish as possible.  These are especially tempting for  bluefish, spanish mackerel or striped bass early in the day and just before dusk.

In order to protect your rod and reel while baiting your hook or while you are distracted from major fishing, a sand spike made of 2" PVC pipe shoved deep into the sand will serve as holder.   Purchase a six foot piece at the hardware store and cut it at an angle in the middle and you now have two of them. If you are fishing for larger fish you will need to make doubly sure the pipe is shoved extra deep into the sand.  Sand will quickly and fatally attach to every nook and cranny in your reel.

As with any type of fishing you will need extra rigs, as lines break and if you only have one rig the fishing stops.  Remember to carry a bait board, knife, pliers, and a rag in your bucket.  Wear sunglasses and protection from the sun and the following day you won't have regrets.  Be prepared for insects, especially when the wind is blowing off of the marshes instead of the ocean. 

Enjoy practicing safe casting while taking note of where other anglers are as well as swimmers.  Before you know it you will be a master caster.

When you get home don't forget that it isn't only sand that can cause future problems with your equipment, but salt can also create problems.  Rinse your equipment with fresh water, pay special attention to drying your rod and reel guides.