North Carolina is a year-round redfish fishery. From the marsh creeks and oyster bars of the Intracoastal Waterway to near-inlet current seams and jetty rocks, you can catch “puppy drum” (slot fish) in every season and tangle with true bull reds in the fall. Below is my no-fluff, captain’s guide to redfish in NC—what to look for, how to rig, and when to be there. I’ll use examples from the waters I fish daily around Ocean Isle Beach, the Shallotte and Calabash Rivers, Tubbs Inlet, and Little River Inlet, but the patterns travel up and down the coast.

Redfish Seasons in North Carolina

Bull redfish caught on inshore charter in ocean isle beach nc

Spring (March–May): Reds slide out of winter patterns and feed along warming shorelines, creek mouths, and marsh points. On sunny afternoons, look for fish pushing shallows with the rising tide. Soft plastics and gold spoons shine.

Summer (June–August): Bait is thick and fish spread out. Focus dawn and dusk for topwater strikes over flooded oysters and grass edges. Mid-day, work shade lines and current seams with paddletails.

Fall (September–November): Peak time. Slot fish feed hard in creeks; large schools of bull reds roam inlets and nearshore structure. Around Little River Inlet and the jetties, live or cut mullet and menhaden are prime. This is when my Inshore Fishing Charters and fall Bull Drum Fishing Charters see the most action.

Winter (December–February): Clear water, lower metabolism, bigger schools. Reds sun on hard bottom (oyster, shell, sand) near deep escape water. Long casts, light leaders, and subtle presentations. I lean on Z-Man paddletails and shrimp profiles crawled slowly along bottom.

Where to Find Redfish in NC

Think structure + current + bait. If two of the three are present, fish it. If all three line up, stay put.

Oyster bars & shell banks: Classic redfish habitat. Work the up-current edges and small breaks where current softens. Many NC marsh creeks, including the Shallotte system, have productive “inside corners” that load with mullet.
Creek mouths & drains: On a falling tide, bait flushes out of small cuts and reds stage on the seam. Fan-cast a paddletail across the flow, then swing it like a mini-plug.
Grass points & flooded flats: On higher tides, reds slide shallow to hunt. Topwaters at first light; switch to subsurface as the sun climbs.
Inlets & jetties: Especially in fall. Fish the slower “soft” water just off the main push; anchor or Spot-Lock. Use heavier leaders around rocks.
Nearshore structure (fall bulls): Shoals, reefs, and hardbottom just off the beach can hold migratory schools. When birds dip over nervous bait, get a bait or large swimbait in there fast.

Tides, Water, and Weather

Tide windows: Reds move with water. I like the last half of the rise into first of the fall for oyster edges; stronger falls for drains/inlets.
Clarity & color: Slight stain helps you; ultra-clear winter water demands stealth (longer leaders, quieter boat control, longer casts).
Wind: Use wind-blown banks that stack bait, but fish the protected seam just off the chop. On stiff N/NE days, I tuck into leeward creeks off the ICW.

Rods, Reels, Line, and Leaders

Keep it light, accurate, and durable—exactly what we hand guests on the boat.

Rods: 6'9"–7’6” medium-light to medium power, moderate-fast/fast action for casting accuracy and hook-setting with single hooks.
Reels: 2500–3000 size saltwater spinning reels (I run Shimanos and PENNs), but step up to larger sizes 4000-6000 for bull reds.
Main line: 10–20 lb braid (PowerPro, including Super8Slick V2, is a great match).
Leader: 15–25 lb fluorocarbon (Seaguar or Berkley). Go lighter/longer in clear water; step up around oysters/rocks.
Terminal: Strong swivels when needed. Loop knot to jighead for better action.

Best Lures and Baits for NC Redfish

Artificial Lures I Trust

Soft plastics (workhorses): Z-Man paddletails (MinnowZ, DieZel MinnowZ), shrimp profiles, and jerk shads on 1/8–1/4 oz jigheads. Natural hues in clear water; gold/white/chartreuse when stained.
Topwater: Walk-the-dog plugs at dawn/dusk over flooded shell/grass. Pause near swirls; let them find it.
Spoons: 1/2–3/4 oz gold spoons are deadly over oysters and along grass edges—steady retrieve with occasional tic.
Subsurface hard baits: MirrOlure twitchbaits on cooler days or when fish suspend off shell.

Natural Baits (when you want a thump)

Finger mullet / menhaden: Live or fresh-cut on a Carolina rig; great in fall around inlets and jetties.
Blue crab: Quartered for bull reds; secure well and check often.
Shrimp: Live shrimp under a popping cork for creeks during warmer months.

Pro Tactics & Boat Control

Read the push: Reds broadcast with V-wakes, dimples, and color flashes. Cast 3–6 feet ahead of the line, not at it.
Fish the seams: Cast across current, then let the jig swing on a tight line—most bites happen as it swings and lifts.
Quiet feet, quiet motor: Use Spot-Lock or a light drift. Power-poling down is quieter. In winter-clear water, longer drifts and longer leaders matter.
Hookset & fight: With single hooks, a firm sweep is enough. Keep fish angled away from sharp shell and jetty edges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Plowing right up to the school: Stop 2–3 casts short; let fish settle and cast ahead of the push.
Fishing the wrong tide window: Oyster edges shine late flood → early fall; drains light up on stronger falls.
Too heavy a leader in winter-clear water: Drop to 15–20 lb fluoro and lengthen to 3–4 ft.
Retrieving too fast: Most bites come on the swing or pause—let the jig glide.
Ignoring bait signs: Nervous mullet, birds dipping, or shrimp pops mean “don’t leave.”

Bull Redfish in NC (Fall)

From late September to the end of October, and sometimes into early November, bull reds migrate through inlets and along nearshore structure here near Ocean Isle Beach, NC. We target them with live/cut mullet or menhaden on 40–60 lb leader and circle hooks, anchoring on soft edges near hard bottom. They’re powerful—expect a fight. Quick photo, gentle handling, and a strong release are mandatory for this fishery to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Redfish in North Carolina

What months are best for redfish in North Carolina?

You can catch redfish year-round, but October is prime for both numbers and size — especially bull reds around the inlets and nearshore structure. Spring is a close second when fish slide shallow with the warming tides.

Where should I target redfish around Ocean Isle Beach?

Focus on oyster bars, creek mouths, grass points, and current seams near inlets. Locally, the Shallotte and Calabash Rivers, Tubbs Inlet, and Little River Inlet all hold fish during the right tide windows.

What lures work best for NC redfish?

Paddletails and shrimp imitations on 1/8–1/4 oz jigheads are the workhorses. Add topwaters at dawn or dusk over flooded shell and grass, and gold spoons when the water has some stain.

What line and leader should I use?

I recommend 10–20 lb braid with a 15–25 lb fluorocarbon leader. Use lighter and longer leaders in clear water, and step up heavier around shell or jetties.

Can I keep redfish in North Carolina?

North Carolina has a strict slot limit for red drum — fish must measure between 18″ and 27″ total length to be kept. Anything outside that range must be released. You can read my article that covers the NC red drum size and bag limits. On my boat, we always release overslots and breeders healthy and strong.

Do you run guided trips for beginners?

Absolutely. I provide all the tackle, teach casting and lure cadence, and time each trip around the best tide windows. Check out my inshore fishing charters or see all Ocean Isle Beach fishing charters.

Ready to Catch Redfish?

If you’d like to shortcut the learning curve and fish proven patterns on my home waters, hop aboard for a day. We’ll cover reading tides, lure cadence, and the small adjustments that turn follows into eats.

Book an inshore fishing charter to target redfish in protected creeks and marshes.
Plan your trip from Ocean Isle Beach: see all Ocean Isle Beach fishing charters.