Redfish are one of the most popular saltwater gamefish in North and South Carolina, and for good reason. They're available year-round, they'll eat everything from live shrimp to artificial lures, and you can catch them in water ranging from shallow marsh creeks to the ocean.
Here around Ocean Isle Beach, I spend a lot of time targeting Redfish in the Intracoastal Waterway, the Shallotte and Calabash Rivers, backwater creeks, oyster-lined marshes, and around our inlets. During the fall, the fishery expands into the ocean when big Bull Reds arrive along the beaches and nearshore structure.
There isn't one technique that works best for every Redfish. A 20-inch Red cruising an oyster bank is a completely different target from a 40-plus-inch Bull Drum feeding around a school of menhaden. Where I look for them, what I feed them, and the tackle I use all change depending on the fish and the time of year.
If you want the short version, start with three things: structure, current, and bait. Find two of those together and you probably have a place worth fishing. Find all three together and I'm probably going to hang around for a while.
For artificial lures, a paddletail is my best all-around starting point. Live shrimp and small baitfish are hard to beat for inshore Reds, while large mullet and menhaden become much more important when targeting Bull Drum. And here in the southern part of the North Carolina coast, October is the month I circle on the calendar for the big ones.
Redfish, Red Drum, Puppy Drum and Bull Drum: What's the Difference?
Redfish, Red Drum, Puppy Drum, Bull Drum, Bull Red, and Old Drum are all names anglers use for the same species. Red Drum is the official common name, while Redfish is probably the name most anglers use in everyday conversation.
"Puppy Drum" generally refers to smaller Redfish. You'll also hear fishermen talk about underslot, slot, and overslot fish based on the legal size limits where they're fishing.
Once Red Drum get past about 35 inches, most fishermen in the Carolinas start calling them Bull Reds, Bull Drum, or Old Drum. These are the mature fish that can reach well over 50 inches. As a matter of fact, the world record redfish came from right here in North Carolina. So, we're sorry Louisiana, it wasn't caught there, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's where the next world record redfish comes from.
That distinction of size matters for more than terminology. Most of the Redfish I target throughout the year are inshore fish caught on relatively light spinning tackle. When the Bull Drum arrive in the fall, I use completely different rods, reels, line, leaders, hooks, and techniques. Same fish. Very different fishing.
Where to Find Redfish in the Carolinas
Redfish are structure-oriented predators, but "structure" doesn't necessarily mean a wreck, reef, or something you can see sticking out of the water. A slight depth change, oyster bar, creek mouth, or point in the grass can be enough to alter the current and create an ambush point.
Think structure + current + bait. If two of the three are present, fish it. If all three line up, stay put.
Oyster Bars and Shell Banks
Oysters are some of the best Redfish habitat we have. They provide structure, attract bait, and create dozens of little current breaks that Redfish can use to feed without fighting the full force of the tide.
I pay particular attention to points, pockets, and irregularities in an oyster bank rather than treating the entire bank equally. An inside corner where the current slows or a small point that concentrates moving water can be much more productive than a hundred yards of otherwise identical shoreline. Oysters will also destroy your line in a hurry, so fish hooked around heavy shell need to be turned away from it quickly.
Creek Mouths and Drains
Small creek mouths and marsh drains become particularly productive when water is moving out of the marsh. Shrimp, mullet, and other bait are pulled toward these openings, and Redfish don't have to be geniuses to figure out that dinner is being delivered to the same place every six hours.
Rather than casting directly into the fastest water, I usually pay attention to the seam between moving and slower water. That's often where the fish can hold comfortably and intercept whatever comes past.
Grass Banks and Marsh Edges
As the tide rises, Redfish gain access to water they couldn't reach a few hours earlier. Grass edges, flooded oyster, and shallow marsh points can all become feeding areas. Mullet moving along the grass are one of the first things I'm looking for.
Sometimes the difference between an empty-looking shoreline and one loaded with feeding Reds is simply another foot of water.
Docks, Seawalls and Other Structure
Docks and seawalls can provide shade, deeper water, current breaks, and food in one place. They're especially useful when the surrounding water is relatively featureless.
Look for differences from one dock to another: depth, current direction, oyster growth, shade, and nearby bait. A dock that looks perfect to us isn't necessarily the one the fish chose.
Rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway
The larger river and ICW systems connect all of these smaller habitats. Around Ocean Isle Beach, that includes the Shallotte River, Calabash River, ICW, and the maze of smaller creeks feeding them. Redfish move throughout these systems as tides, bait, and seasons change.
That's why I don't have one "Redfish spot." I have areas I expect fish to use under particular conditions. And those conditions change throughout the year.
Seasonal Redfish Patterns in the Carolinas
One of the reasons Redfish are such a great Carolina gamefish is that we can catch them twelve months of the year. That doesn't mean we fish for them the same way in July that we do in January.
Spring Redfish - March Through May
Spring is a period of increasing activity. As the water warms, Reds begin leaving some of their tighter winter patterns and spreading onto warming shorelines, oyster bars, creek mouths, and marsh points.
Early in spring, a sunny afternoon can be more productive than fishermen accustomed to summer fishing might expect. Shallow water warms quickly, and a few degrees can make a difference.
As spring progresses and bait becomes increasingly abundant, Redfish become more willing to chase. Paddletails, shrimp imitations, and gold spoons all become good options, and live bait becomes increasingly easy to find.
Summer Redfish - June Through August
By summer, food is everywhere. Mullet, shrimp, menhaden, and other forage are abundant, and Redfish can spread throughout the inshore system rather than being concentrated into a handful of winter areas.
Early morning is one of my favorite periods for shallow-water summer fishing. Reds may be feeding along grass, flooded oyster, and marsh edges before the heat and boat traffic build.
During the day, I pay more attention to moving water, shade, docks, creek mouths, and current seams. Summer isn't necessarily about finding the deepest water. It's about finding the places where bait and current give a Redfish a reason to be there.
Fall Redfish - September Through November
Calling September, October, and November simply "fall fishing" misses what actually happens here. These are three different stages of the transition from summer into winter.
September - The Transition Begins
September is our first transition month. Early September can still feel a lot like summer. The water is warm, bait is abundant, and many of the same inshore patterns that worked in August continue producing.
As the month progresses, days shorten and the water gradually begins cooling. Mullet become particularly important, and slot and underslot Reds feed aggressively around creeks, marsh edges, oyster bars, and the ICW.
By late September, I'm also paying much more attention to what's happening outside the inlets. Large concentrations of bait begin moving along the beaches, and the first Bull Drum can start appearing. It's the month when I begin looking for them without yet assuming they're going to be everywhere.
October - THE Month for Bull Redfish
October is different. For this part of the Carolina coast, October is THE month for Bull Reds.
Slot and underslot Redfish are still feeding well inshore, but mature Red Drum become a major part of the fishery outside. I'm looking for concentrations of mullet and menhaden along the beaches, around the inlets, and over nearshore reefs and hard bottom.
The groceries matter. When big concentrations of pogies are holding close to the beach, I pay attention. Bull Reds don't necessarily need deep water, and I've found plenty of reasons over the years not to drive past shallow bait looking for fish somewhere farther offshore.
This is also when I change tackle completely. The light spinning outfit that is perfect for a slot Red around a marsh bank isn't what I want when a 40-plus-inch breeder eats a pogie.
Captain's Note: When I'm looking for October Bull Reds, I'm usually trying to find the bait first. Find enough groceries in the right area and the big Reds often aren't far away.
November - The Transition to Cold Weather
November is another transition month, this time toward winter. Bull Drum can remain available early in the month when bait and water conditions cooperate, but eventually that fishery begins winding down.
Inshore, Redfish increasingly begin behaving like winter fish. They group more tightly and start concentrating in protected creeks, backwaters, and areas where shallow feeding water is close to deeper escape water. Water clarity also generally becomes more important as the season progresses, which means quieter boat positioning, longer casts, and more attention to presentation.
Winter Redfish - December Through February
Winter can produce some of the largest schools of inshore Redfish you'll see all year. The challenge is that clear winter water makes them easier for you to see - and makes you easier for them to see.
I look for areas with oyster, shell, sand, or other hard bottom near deeper water. Sunny periods can warm shallow areas enough to draw fish up to feed.
This is the time to slow down. Long casts, lighter leaders, and subtle presentations become increasingly important. Paddletails and shrimp profiles worked slowly near the bottom are dependable winter options. A school that won't eat doesn't always need a different lure. Sometimes it needs you to quit running over it.
Best Lures for Redfish in the Carolinas
There isn't one magic Redfish lure. Water depth, current, clarity, season, and available forage all influence what I throw. But there are a handful of lure types that consistently catch Carolina Redfish.
Paddletails / Swimbaits
If I had to start with one artificial lure for Redfish, a paddletail would be hard to beat. Two of my regular setups are a Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ on a Texas Eye jighead and a Z-Man MinnowZ on a Trout Eye jighead.
Paddletails can be fished shallow along grass, bounced around oyster structure, swung through current, or worked deeper by changing jighead weight. I generally want enough weight to maintain control of the lure without making it fall like a rock.
Retrieve speed matters too. Sometimes they want a steady swimming bait. Other times, slowing down and allowing the lure to fall or swing naturally through the current produces the bite.
If you're new to swimbaits, check out my guide on How to Fish a Swimbait for Inshore Fishing.
Shrimp Imitations
Shrimp are a major part of a Redfish's diet, so carrying a good shrimp imitation isn't exactly revolutionary thinking. Two I use are the DOA Shrimp and Z-Man Prawn StarZ.
I like shrimp profiles around creek mouths, docks, deeper holes, and other places where shrimp are naturally moving with the current. They're especially useful when I want a slower presentation than a paddletail.
Topwater Lures
Few Redfish bites are more entertaining than watching one crush a topwater. I like them around shallow grass, flooded shell, and flats when fish are actively feeding, particularly early in the morning or during other low-light periods.
Topwaters also cover water efficiently. If fish are scattered and willing to chase, you can find them quickly. But there's a time to put one down. I'm not going to keep throwing a surface plug at inactive fish just because watching one eat it would be fun.
Two of my favorites are the Whopper Plopper in Bone and the MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. in White/Red Head.
Gold Spoons
Gold spoons have been catching Redfish since long before any of us needed an internet article to tell us how. They cast well, produce plenty of flash and vibration, and can be particularly effective around grass and oysters.
Weedless versions can be worked through places where an exposed jighead spends more time collecting grass than catching fish. They're especially useful when the water has enough stain that vibration and flash help fish find the lure.
My favorite spoon to use for Redfish is the Johnson Minnow Spoon in gold color, 3/4 oz size.
Twitchbaits and Jerkbaits
Twitchbaits and jerkbaits earn their place when fish aren't necessarily pinned to the bottom. They can be especially effective as the water cools and fish are holding around shell, creek edges, or deeper structure.
The key is the pause. Don't get so interested in working the lure that you never give the fish a chance to eat it.
My favorite twitchbait to use for Redfish is the Mirrodine 17MR. I prefer the ‘Pilchard’ color in the ‘Skin Series’ because its hyper-realistic finish closely resembles a small Pinfish, which are common in our waters and a regular part of a Redfish's natural diet.
I also wrote a blog on How to Fish a Mirrodine Twitchbait Lure. Check it out for some great tips on working a Mirrodine for Reds and Trout.
Best Natural Baits for Redfish
Sometimes the easiest way to catch a predator is to feed it what it's already eating. Redfish are opportunistic feeders, and shrimp, mullet, mud minnows, and menhaden are all excellent natural baits.
Finger Mullet
Finger mullet are one of my favorite all-around Redfish baits. They can be fished live or fresh-cut and are particularly effective when mullet are already abundant in the area. A carolina rig with a 1/2 oz egg sinker and a 6 inch leader of 20 pound fluorocarbon with a 2/0 to 4/0 circl hook will work well for you. I prefer to either snell the hook or use a Palomar Knot.
A live mullet struggling naturally near an oyster edge or creek mouth doesn't need much help from the fisherman.
Menhaden - Pogies
Menhaden, sometimes referred to as Bunker, Shad, or Pogies, become especially important when I'm targeting larger Redfish. Here we usually call them Pogies, and during the fall they can form enormous schools along the beaches and even well inside the inshore system.
For Bull Drum, I'll use them live when possible, but fresh-dead pogies are excellent bait too. There are plenty of situations where dead bait catches fish just fine. Fresh matters a lot more to me than whether the bait is still swimming.
Live Shrimp
It's difficult for a Redfish to ignore a live shrimp. I use them around creek mouths, docks, oyster structure, and areas where shrimp are naturally being swept through the current.
Depending on depth and current, I'll fish a live shrimp near the bottom or suspend them beneath a slip-float rig. The downside is that almost everything else likes shrimp too. When pinfish and other bait-stealers are thick, you can spend more time rebaiting than Redfishing. And if you bought your live shrimp, which are sometimes as much as $1 each at a tackle shop, then you definitely don't want to give them up to pinfish.
Mud Minnows
Mud minnows aren't glamorous, but Redfish don't seem to care. They're tough, easy to keep alive, and make an excellent inshore bait around docks, creeks, oyster, and other structure. However, I typically don't use Mud Minnows if other live bait options are available. They're just small and easy to go untouched by decent sized redfish. When fishing them, I'll often fish them on a 1/4 oz jighead.
Rigging for Slot and Underslot Redfish
For normal inshore Redfish, I want tackle that's light enough to cast accurately and present baits naturally but strong enough to handle a good fish around structure. This is not the same tackle I use for Bull Drum.
My Inshore Redfish Rod & Reel Combo
My preferred inshore Redfish setup is a Temple Fork Outfitters Intracoastal Inshore Rod paired with a Shimano Nasci 4000 Reel. I spool it with 20-30 pound PowerPro Super Slick V2 Braided Line and use a 20-pound Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon leader.
That gives me a setup that's light enough to cast artificials accurately all day but still has enough power to handle a good Redfish around oysters, docks, and other structure.
Rigging Artificial Lures
For paddletails and most other single-hook artificials, I keep the setup simple: braided main line connected to fluorocarbon leader with an FG knot and then to the jighead or lure with a Palomar Knot. For a lure that needs extra action then you can use a Loop Knot.
The exact jighead weight depends on water depth and current. The goal isn't to use the heaviest jighead you can get away with. It's to use enough weight to maintain control while still giving the lure the presentation you want.
Live Bait Rig for Slot Redfish
When I want to put live bait on the bottom, I use a modified Carolina-style rig that gives the bait some freedom to move while keeping the weight controlled with a rubber bobber stop above the sinker.
For normal inshore fish, the tackle stays relatively light. There's no reason to build a Bull Drum rig to catch a 22-inch Redfish in 2 feet of water.
Fishing Live Shrimp
Live shrimp can be presented on the bottom or under a slip-float rig. A float makes sense when I want to control depth and move the shrimp naturally along a grass bank, oyster edge, or other structure.
Bottom fishing makes more sense when the fish are holding deeper or I need the bait to remain in a specific area. The important part is matching the presentation to where the fish are - not deciding in advance that every shrimp needs to be suspended.
Rigging for Bull Drum
Bull Drum are a different deal. When I'm intentionally targeting mature Red Drum, I use tackle capable of controlling and landing a large fish efficiently. That isn't about making the fight less fun. It's about not fighting a breeder to exhaustion because I brought tackle that was too light for the job.
My Bull Drum Rod, Reel and Main Line
My current Bull Red setup uses a Penn Spinfisher VII 6500 combo loaded with 50-pound PowerPro Super Slick V2 braid.
That gives me the line capacity, drag, and strength needed for big fish while still being comfortable enough to fish for hours. This tackle is considerably heavier than what I use for normal inshore Reds because the job is different.
My Bull Drum Bottom Rig
I keep my Bull Red rig simple. My modified Carolina-style setup uses a ball-bearing swivel, 80-pound fluorocarbon leader, a 3-4 oz egg sinker, and an 8/0 in-line circle hook. The rig itself is short - no more than about six inches.
Three to four ounces isn't a universal rule. The sinker needs to match the current and depth. I want enough weight to keep the bait where I put it without adding unnecessary hardware.
I'll fish this rig with live or fresh-dead mullet and pogies. If I'm fishing live mullet, I prefer at least a 6 inch bait. If I'm using dead mullet, a head or big chunk from a cob mullet works well. I prefer pogies alive, but I'll absolutely fish fresh-dead pogies too. If you're using dead / cut bait then alwasy make sure it's very fresh.
Captain's Note: Don't confuse complicated with effective. Bull Reds don't care how impressive your rig looks in the garage. I want strong connections, an appropriate circle hook, and a fresh bait sitting where the fish are feeding.
Circle Hooks and Hooksets
Circle hooks work differently from traditional J-hooks. When a Bull Red picks up the bait, the goal isn't to rear back and cross its eyes. Let the fish come tight and allow the circle hook to rotate into the corner of the mouth. I instruct my clients to leave the rod in the rod holder, reel up tight when there is a bite, and not even pick up the rod until the rod is doubled over.
That improves hookup consistency and helps reduce deep-hooking, which is particularly important when these oversized Red Drum are going back into the water.
What About the Lupton Rig?
You'll sometimes hear the term Lupton rig when fishermen talk about targeting large Red Drum in North Carolina. A true Lupton-style rig uses a circle hook with the barb compressed and a fixed sinker of at least two ounces positioned no more than six inches from the hook.
North Carolina requires that style of terminal tackle under specific seasonal, nighttime, natural-bait, and geographic conditions in the Pamlico Sound area. That requirement does not apply here around Ocean Isle Beach.
Interestingly, the Bull Red rig I use here is already very similar in overall design: a heavy fixed presentation, a very short leader, and an in-line circle hook. I use it because it works well for big Red Drum, not because a Lupton rig is required in our local waters.
How to Find Bull Redfish
Finding Bull Reds is different from working a marsh bank looking for slot fish. During our fall fishery, I'm paying close attention to bait concentrations and the routes large Red Drum use around beaches, inlets, and nearshore structure.
Follow the Bait
If I could choose one clue, I'd choose bait. Large schools of menhaden are particularly important. When pogies are concentrated along the beach, I'll spend time around them looking for signs that larger predators are feeding nearby.
Mullet movement matters too, particularly during the fall migration. Birds can help, but I don't need birds diving everywhere before I'll investigate a large concentration of bait.
Don't Ignore Shallow Water Along the Beaches
One mistake is assuming a 40-inch Red Drum must be somewhere offshore in deep water. If the bait is in shallow water along the beach, that's where I want to look first.
I would rather fish ten feet of water that's full of bait than forty feet of empty ocean.
Inlet Edges
Inlets provide current, depth changes, and concentrated bait - all the ingredients large Reds need. I generally pay more attention to edges and seams than the strongest part of the current.
Big fish don't need to spend all day swimming on a treadmill when they can hold nearby and let food come to them.
Nearshore Reefs and Hard Bottom
Nearshore reefs and areas of hard bottom can also hold fall Bull Reds. Depending on the structure and current, I'll anchor or Spot-Lock up-current and position the baits where I expect fish moving around the structure to encounter them.
There are also situations where drifting makes more sense. The important thing is that the bait ends up where the fish are likely to travel. Dropping directly on a waypoint isn't a fishing strategy by itself.
How Tides Affect Redfish
People love asking which tide is "best" for Redfish. I don't think it's that simple. Different locations become productive at different stages of the tide.
Rising Water
Rising water gives Redfish access to feeding areas that were previously too shallow. Grass edges, oyster bars, shallow flats, and marsh points can all improve as the water rises. Rather than thinking only about the tide direction, watch what the water is allowing the fish to do.
Falling Water
Falling water takes those same feeding areas away, and that can be a good thing. Shrimp, mullet, and other forage leaving shallow marshes become concentrated around drains, creek mouths, and current seams. Redfish can position themselves along those routes and wait.
Moving Water Matters
More than anything, I generally want water moving. There are exceptions, and some spots have very specific windows, but I don't subscribe to the idea that Redfish universally prefer incoming or outgoing tide.
Learn what the tide does to the place you're fishing. That's far more useful than memorizing "incoming good."
Captain's Note: A productive Redfish spot isn't necessarily productive for six hours. Some places have a window measured in minutes. If you caught them there yesterday at one stage of the tide and they're gone today two hours later, the spot may be fine. Your timing may be wrong.
Water Temperature, Clarity and Weather
Tide isn't the only thing moving Redfish around. Water temperature, clarity, wind, and recent weather can all change where fish hold and how willing they are to feed.
Water Clarity
Clear water calls for stealth. Longer casts, quieter boat control, and sometimes lighter leaders become more important, particularly during winter. Stained water can make fish less leader-shy and increases the value of vibration, profile, and contrast from the lure.
Water Temperature
Temperature affects metabolism, bait movement, and where fish are comfortable. I don't chase one magic temperature number.
I'm more interested in the trend. Is the water warming after several cold days? Did a front suddenly knock several degrees off the temperature? Are shallow flats warming faster than surrounding water? Those changes tell me more than an isolated number.
Wind
Wind can be your enemy or your friend. A wind-blown shoreline can concentrate bait and create excellent fishing, but too much wind can make boat positioning and lure presentation miserable. When conditions get rough, protected creeks and leeward shorelines can provide both better fishing conditions and productive current seams.
Fighting and Handling Redfish
Slot and Smaller Redfish
Around oysters, docks, and other structure, get control of the fish before it reaches something capable of cutting the leader. Use enough drag to direct the fish without turning every fight into a tug-of-war.
If the fish is being released, get the hook out, take your picture if you want one, and put it back.
Bull Drum
Bull Drum deserve a little more consideration. These are mature breeding fish, and in our fishery they're being released. That's one reason I use appropriately heavy tackle. Landing a big Red efficiently is better than exhausting it on tackle that's too light for the job.
Keep photos quick, support the fish properly, and minimize unnecessary time out of the water. If a fish needs help after the fight, give it the time it needs before release.
The goal isn't just watching it disappear below the surface. I want that fish leaving strong.
Redfish Regulations in North Carolina and South Carolina
Red Drum are carefully managed in both Carolinas, and regulations can change. Always verify the current rules before fishing.
North Carolina Red Drum Regulations
As of September 2026, North Carolina's recreational Red Drum limit is one fish per person per day with an 18- to 27-inch total-length slot. Red Drum longer than 27 inches cannot be possessed.
North Carolina also requires recreational harvest of Red Drum to be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries. I've put together a separate guide to the current North Carolina Red Drum size and bag limits for anglers who want the regulation details in one place.
South Carolina Red Drum Regulations
South Carolina maintains its own Red Drum regulations, so fishermen crossing the state line need to follow the rules for the waters they're actually fishing.
Because fishing regulations can change, check the current South Carolina Department of Natural Resources regulations before keeping a fish. An article - even this one - is not a substitute for the current state rules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Redfish in the Carolinas
What is the best month for Redfish in the Carolinas?
Redfish can be caught throughout the year, so there isn't one best month for every type of Redfish fishing. For the southern North Carolina coast, October is my favorite month for targeting Bull Reds. Slot and underslot fish provide excellent opportunities during much more of the year.
What is the best bait for Redfish?
Live shrimp, finger mullet, mud minnows, and menhaden can all be excellent Redfish baits. The best choice depends on where you're fishing and the size of fish you're targeting. For normal inshore Reds, shrimp and smaller baitfish are hard to beat. For fall Bull Drum, I rely heavily on mullet and menhaden, either live or fresh dead.
What is the best artificial lure for Redfish?
If I had to choose one versatile lure category, I'd start with a paddletail. Two of my regular setups are a Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ on a Texas Eye jighead and a Z-Man MinnowZ on a Trout Eye jighead. Shrimp imitations such as the DOA Shrimp and Z-Man Prawn StarZ are also among my go-to Redfish lures.
What size hook should I use for Redfish?
It depends heavily on the fish and bait. A hook appropriate for a finger mullet targeting slot Reds is not the same hook I use for a large pogie targeting a 40-inch Bull Drum. For my Bull Drum bottom rig, I currently use an 8/0 in-line circle hook.
What tide is best for Redfish?
I prefer to think in terms of moving water and what a particular tide is doing to the habitat I'm fishing. Rising water can open shallow grass and oyster areas. Falling water can concentrate bait around drains and creek mouths. There is no single tide direction that's best everywhere.
When do Bull Reds show up in the Carolinas?
In my area around Ocean Isle Beach, I begin looking for them during September as the fall transition develops. October is the heart of our Bull Red season. Depending on bait and water conditions, fish can remain available into November before the fishery transitions toward winter.
Are Lupton rigs required around Ocean Isle Beach?
No. North Carolina's special Lupton-style terminal-tackle requirement applies under specific conditions in the Pamlico Sound area, not around Ocean Isle Beach. My Bull Red rig is similar in several ways, including its short overall length and circle-hook presentation, but I use that setup here because it works well for large Red Drum rather than because a Lupton rig is legally required.
Can you keep Bull Redfish?
The Bull Reds we target around Ocean Isle Beach are well above North Carolina's 27-inch maximum recreational size and must be released. Regulations differ between North Carolina and South Carolina and can change, so always check the current rules for the state and waters you're fishing.
Ready to Catch Redfish?
Reading about Redfish will give you a head start, but nothing replaces time on the water.
On my Inshore Fishing Charters, we target Redfish around the creeks, marshes, oyster bars, and other protected waters around Ocean Isle Beach throughout much of the year.
When October rolls around and the big fish arrive, I also offer dedicated Bull Drum Fishing Charters targeting mature Red Drum around the beaches, inlets, and nearshore structure. Either way, the objective is the same: figure out where the bait and fish are that day and go catch them.
Tight Lines,
Captain Harvey Wall
Salty Dawg Fishing Charters
Updated: September 24, 2026
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