Abundance
Not Overfished
Fishing Mortality
Overfishing Not Occuring
There is, perhaps, no fish more emblematic of DelMarVa surf fishing than the Red Drum. For the surf angler, few moments compare to the sudden, rod-bending strike followed by the sound of a reel giving up line as the fish powers through the surf. What began as a routine cast can quickly become the fight of a lifetime.
Red Drum, also referred to as Channel Bass, are regular visitors to the Mid-Atlantic surf zone from spring through late fall, with the best opportunities often occurring from May through November. These powerful fish can reach weights of 85 pounds or more and a large drum is one of the most powerful fish an angler can encounter from the beach.
The Red Drum is a striking fish, often displaying a deep copper or reddish back that gradually fades to a lighter belly. The species is perhaps best recognized by the distinctive black spot—or spots—near the base of the tail. While a single spot is the classic image, some fish have multiple spots, and occasionally a drum may carry many spots along its sides.
The Mid-Atlantic red drum population is considered part of a distinct management unit from the populations farther south, adding to the uniqueness of the fishery we experience along our beaches.
Fishing Seasons
The months where Red Drum are active in the Delaware surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and migration patterns. In the Spring fish will begin to arrive in late May and continue through June, making their way to the Indian River and Delaware Bays where they will spend much of the summer feeding. Their presence in the surf declines during July and August, though they may stray from the bays to the coast at night providing an opportunity to hook into one just before sunrise and sunset. The most popular months for Reds from the surf are September and October when they are moving into the near shore waters to spawn before heading south for the winter, working the bait along the coast. I have found the fall equinox is the start of the fall Red Drum surf fishing season. While spring is all about using crustaceans (Sand Fleas, Crabs, Shrimp) as bait, fall is all about using bait fish (Spot, Finger Mullet, Bunker).
Surf fishing has a long history in Delaware, with the world record Black Drum being caught from the surf on Cape Henlopen in 1975. Red Drum are popular in the surf in both the spring and fall and is a prized surf catch. Delaware allows over sand vehicles in designated areas, with a permit, and offers some of the best surf fishing in the DelMarVa.
Recreational fishing for Red Drum is strictly regulated in Delaware so make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
The months where Red Drum are active in the Assateague Island, MD surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and migration patterns. In the Spring, fish will begin to arrive in late May and continue through June, making their way to the Assawoman, Indian River and Delaware Bays where they will spend much of the summer feeding. Their presence in the surf declines during July and August, though they may stray from the bays to the coast at night providing an opportunity to hook into one just before sunrise and sunset. The most popular months for Reds from the surf are September and October when they are moving into the near shore waters to spawn before heading south for the winter and work the bait along the coast. I have found the fall equinox is the start of the fall Red Drum surf fishing season. While spring is all about using crustaceans (Sand Fleas, Crabs, Shrimp) as bait, fall is all about using bait fish (Spot, Finger Mullet, Bunker).
Assateague Island Maryland is located just south of the Ocean City Inlet and is famous for its wild ponies. Renowned for its surf fishing since the 1930s, especially for Red Drum. Large Reds are landed here every year. The island is remote and uninhabited with miles of shoreline. The Island allows over sand vehicles, with a permit, and is a premier surf fishing destination in the DelMarVa.
Recreational fishing for Red Drum is strictly regulated in Maryland, make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
The months where Red Drum are active in the Assateague Virginia surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and migration patterns. In the Spring, fish will begin to arrive in late May and continue through June, making their way to Chincoteague, Maryland and Delaware Bays where they will spend much of the summer feeding. Their presence in the surf declines during July and August, though they may stray from the bays to the coast at night providing an opportunity to hook into one just before sunrise and sunset. The most popular months for Reds from the surf are September and October when they are moving into the near shore waters to spawn before heading south for the winter and work the bait along the coast. I have found the fall equinox is the start of the fall Red Drum surf fishing season. While spring is all about using crustaceans (Sand Fleas, Crabs, Shrimp) as bait, fall is all about using bait fish (Spot, Finger Mullet, Bunker).
Assategue Virginia is located east of Chincoteague Island, famous for its annual pony penning event, and has been famous since the 1920s for surf fishing, especially for Red Drum with a seventy four pounder being landed there in 1929. The Island allows over sand vehicles, with a permit, and offers some of the best surf fishing in the DelMarVa.
Recreational fishing for Red Drum is strictly regulated in Virginia, make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
The months where Red Drum are active in the Back Bay, VA surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and their migration patterns. In the Spring, fish will begin to arrive in late May and continue through June, making their way to the Chesapeake Bay and points north, where they will spend much of the summer feeding. Their presence in the surf declines during July and August, though they may stray from the bays to the coast at night providing an opportunity to hook into one just before sunrise and sunset. The most popular months for Reds from the surf are late August through October when they are moving into the near shore waters to spawn before heading south for the winter and work the bait along the coast. I have found the fall equinox is the start of the fall Red Drum surf fishing season. While spring is all about using crustaceans (Sand Fleas, Crabs, Shrimp) as bait, fall is all about using bait fish (Spot, Finger Mullet, Bunker).
Located just south of Sandbridge, a quiet coastal neighborhood located in the southern part of the city of Virginia Beach, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge hosts miles of fishable beach all the way to the North Carolina Border. Remote, and only accessible on foot, this location is well known for big Reds starting in late August and continuing through October. It is a National Wildlife Refuge to make sure to get a permit before heading out.
Recreational fishing for Red Drum is strictly regulated in Virginia, make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
Migration
Red Drum migrate northward in the spring after spending the winter months in deeper offshore waters. As water temperatures rise, they move into the bays, sounds, inlets, and coastal waters of the Mid-Atlantic, where they spend much of the warmer months feeding and growing.
In late summer and fall, mature fish begin moving toward the ocean and coastal inlets to spawn. Spawning occurs in nearshore coastal waters, particularly around inlets and passes. During spawning, male Red Drum produce the characteristic “drumming” sound that gives the species its common name. They create this sound by rapidly contracting muscles against their swim bladder, which acts as a resonating chamber.
As autumn progresses, shortening days and falling water temperatures trigger the migration southward. The fish gradually leave our bays and coastal waters and return to deeper offshore waters, completing another cycle in the seasonal migration of one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most prized surf fish.
Water Temperature Tolerance
Bait
Sand Flea/Mole Crab
Arriving in the mid Atlantic in the early spring, these small crustaceans are a favorite of spring Reds. The wave action washes this bait into the surf often creating clouds of Sand Fleas that migrating fish devour on their way to summer haunts., Available throughout the spring, summer and fall, they can easily be collected from the sand under the retreating waves.
Crabs
Crabs, both green and blue are a favorite of Red Drum, particularly in the spring and early summer. Crabs are my go to bait for big Reds early in the season and they’ve never disappointed me. Fresh are best but frozen will work in a pinch. Take the shell off to get more of the scent in the water and cut them in half to conserve bait. Great on a high low or fish finder rig. I use bait thread to keep this bait on the hook longer and help it survive a distance cast.
Clams
Clams are a year round favorite for Red Drum. Fresh or salted and frozen, Reds are known to nose around in the sand looking for clams, so a fish finder rig or the bottom hook on a high-low rig are the best presentation. Make sure to put a full clam, or as much as your hook can tolerate, to get the attention of these fish. I use bait thread to keep this bait on the hook longer and help it survive a distance cast.
Shrimp
Rounding out our crustaceans are shrimp another year round favorite for Red Drum. An all round great bait for all fish in the surf, shrimp, both fresh and frozen, needs to be in your bait cooler. Take the shell off and the hard tail to prep the shrimp. On a fish finder rig, place the entire shrimp on the hook and secure it with bait thread to keep the bait on the hook longer and help it survive a distance cast.
Spot
As the water warms from the upper 50s into the 60s, Spot move into the surf, usually late May to June, and stay for the summer. When they arrive they are on the menu for Red Drum. Summer Reds love Spot and it should be a primary bait throughout the summer and fall. Chunks, fillets and full heads are all good offerings.
Bunker
In the early spring , late March to early April, the Atlantic menhaden make their way north along the coast to spend the summer in the DelMarVa bays and estuaries. They make the trek again in the fall heading south for the winter. While not my favorite bait for for Red Drum, it will do in a pinch. Chunks, fillets and full heads all work well. Bunker flesh falls apart quickly after death so get fresh bait if you can. You won’t go wrong using bait string to keep this bait on the hook, especially with frozen bait.
Rigs
The Fish Finder Rig is probably the most popular rig for red drum. The rig keeps the bait on the bottom, where Reds are patrolling for Sand Fleas, Crabs, Clams and bait fish. Set your reel drag very low so that the fish can pick up the bait and run with it without feeling a much resistance. Even smaller “Puppy” Drum can take a large hook, so circle hooks in the 6/0 to 8/0 range work well. Generally easy to cast with short snells and will stand up in moderately heavy currents though you may have trouble with a sputnik sinker getting tangled on the hook in a very heavy current. Fishing for Red Drum in the DelMarVa requires the use of circle hooks by regulation.
The High/Low rig or Dropper Loop rig is probably the most versatile of the surf fishing rigs for Red Drum. If made by hand you can adjust the distance between the bottom and top hooks to fish different locations in the water column at the same time. The ability to fish two different baits simultaneously makes this rig very productive. A clam on top and sand fleas or crabs on the bottom may make your offering too tempting for a big Red to pass up. Easy to cast and hold bottom and works well with a sputnik sinker for heavy currents. If fishing more than one line, always have a high/low rig in the water. Fishing for Red Drum in the DelMarVa requires the use of circle hooks by regulation.
Owen Lupton Rig or the old Drum rig, is similar to the fish finder rig only the line is fixed in place using beads on either side of the sinker slider and crimps holding everything in place. The snell is kept short, 3 to 6 inches. The classic rig uses a large egg sinker and , in that configuration, is used from boats. The idea behind this rig is to keep the fish from gut hooking by keeping the sinker close to the hook with the short snell. The barb on the hook is often removed to further avoid the risk of gut hooking the fish and in some states is required. Fishing for Red Drum in the DelMarVa requires the use of circle hooks by regulation.
The bottom rig with a three way swivel, with or without a float is similar to the fish finder rig only the line is fixed in place to the three way swivel. The snell is kept short, 3 to 6 inches. This rig is a classic and has been around for a long time, reliable, effective and easy to tie. Fishing for Red Drum in the DelMarVa requires the use of circle hooks by regulation.
Tactics
I’ve caught 51 inch reds using these tactics and I’ve seen them caught on a blooper cast with a Bluefish rig. There’s always hope. Many surf anglers like to fish at night for these monsters and there’s some science behind that idea as these fish do move into near shore locations at night to spawn in late August through early October. Sunrise and sunset are the best times of day, though if you’re fishing the spring or fall migration, all day is good. An hour and a half before and after high and low tide will be the most productive. Place your baits along the inside or outside of sandbars, larger fish are thought to frequent the first and second bars. The first slough just behind the shore brake often produces well when Red Drum fishing. Make sure to adjust your bait size to match what’s in the surf, if it’s smaller bait fish, use a smaller chunk of bait. If you hook a large Red, be patient, let your drag and rod do much of the work, don’t try to muscle the fish through the surf. Red Drum will often run multiple times as they approach the shore break and make additional runs at the shore break, so loosen the drag as the fish tires so you don’t loose them during the final stretch.
Slough
Sloughs, sometimes called troughs, are the deeper water between sandbars. Reds will use these troughs to move along the beach, searching for bait fish and crustaceans. There will be several sloughs off the beach, the first one starting immediately behind the shore break and then additional ones between each sandbar. Often we will only see the first sandbar, with the outer ones being hidden by water. They are there. Place your bait either near the middle of the slough, on the inside or outside of the sandbar or just behind the shore break for your best chance. As you build distance casting skills, aim for the second slough for the bigger fish.
Rip Current
The Rip Current may be the most productive structure on the DelMarVa sandy beaches. A cut in the bars allows water to funnel back out to sea, carrying with it bait fish and crustaceans washed around by the surf. The head at the sea side end of the rip, the shoulders where the rip passes through sand bars and the center of the rip itself are all good places for bait. Work these parts of the rip until you find where the fish are setting up their ambush.
Length to Weight
Ever wonder how much that fish weighed after you’ve caught, measured and released it. Here’s a helpful dashboard for looking up your fish’s weight based on its length.
“He said to them, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
John 21:6
John 21:6 Red Drum Hoodie
Coming Soon
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Master the Uni Knot for your fishing rigs. Learn how to tie this versatile, compact knot on monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines like a pro. - Clinch Knot
Learn how to tie the Clinch Knot, a simple, reliable fishing knot for attaching hooks, swivels, and snaps to monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing lines. - Reading the Surf
Fish in the surf are like fish everywhere, they like structure from which to ambush their prey. We want to place our baits in these spots. Learning how to read the shape of the beach and action of the waves to identify the structure of the bottom is how you go about finding the most productive surf fishing spots. - Hatteras Cast
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The fish finder rig is one of the most popular and versatile rigs for surf fishing. This rig allows the bait and hook to move freely through the slider when the fish picks up the bate, giving you time to set the hook. - Surf Fishing Line
Choosing the right fishing line can make a big difference in the surf. Learn how monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided and fused lines compare in strength, diameter, stretch, abrasion resistance, visibility and other characteristics important to surf anglers.
- Mike’s Big Red Drum
A memorable surf fishing trip to Buxton Point in 2001, where two lifelong fishing buddies encountered rays, beautiful weather, and an unforgettable fifty-pound Red Drum. - Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
There is, perhaps, no fish more emblematic of DelMarVa surf fishing than the Red Drum. For the surf angler, few moments compare to the sudden, rod-bending strike followed by the sound of a reel giving up line as the fish powers through the surf. What began as a routine cast can quickly become the fight of a lifetime. - Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)
Striped Bass are one of the most prized catches in the DelMarVa surf. Learn when and where to find migrating Stripers, the best natural baits and rigs, and how to fish the beach structures that bring these powerful fish within casting range. - Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)
Bluefish are one of the most exciting fish to catch from the DelMarVa surf. Learn when and where to find migrating Blues, the best baits and rigs, and how to fish the beach structures that bring these aggressive, hard-fighting predators within casting range. - Black Drum (Pogonias cromis)
Discover Black Drum surf fishing in DelMarVa. Learn when and where to find these powerful fish, including the best baits, rigs, beach structures, and tactics. - Red Drum and The Weather
I tracked Assateague surf reports to see what weather brings big red drum in. The equinox, 66–75° water, NE winds and pre-storm days stood out. - Why the Big Ones Come and Go in the DelMarVa Surf
Trophy red drum are booming while stripers, black drum and bluefish fade. Decades of Delmarva data show why: ocean cycles decide births, regulations decide survivors.
Tackle Shops
Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle
Family owned and operated, this is the best bait and tackle shop when you’re fishing the Virginia Side of Assateague Island. Fresh in season bait as well as plenty of frozen bait, a full inventory of surf fishing tackle and brand name rods and reels.
Sea Hawk Sports Center
Located on Rout 13 in Pocomoke, MD just before the Virginia state line, this family owned and operated bait and tackle is a great stop on your way to Assateague Island, VA. Fresh in season bait as well as plenty of frozen bait, a full inventory of surf fishing tackle and brand name rods and reels.
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