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  4. Drum fishing in North Carolina

Drum fishing in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to excellent drum fishing in coastal waters, bays, and nearshore areas where this species is commonly found.

Types of Drum in North Carolina

Best baits and lures for Drum in North Carolina

According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Drum.

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Biggest Drum catches

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Latest Drum fishing reports in North Carolina

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Black drum

Onslow Beach Bridge

length · weight

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Red drum

Avon Fishing Pier

10 in · 1 lb

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Red drum

Avon Fishing Pier

13 in · 1 lb

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Red drum

Avon Fishing Pier

11 in · 1 lb

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Red drum

Dare County Coast

length · weight

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Red drum

Dutchman Creek

length · weight

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Red drum

Currituck Sound

length · weight

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Red drum

New River

length · weight

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Red drum

New River

length · weight

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Black drum

Snow's Cut

length · weight

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Regulations for Drum in North Carolina

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in North Carolina can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Red drum as of April 6th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Red drum

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

1

Min size

18"

Max size

27"

Measurement

Total Length
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Harvest in federal waters prohibited. Unlawful to gig, spear, or gaff. Unlawful to posess redfish greater than 27 inches total length.
Very Good

Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass

Regulations for

35°10′13.9″N 79°51′40″W
Regulations in the map
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