TARBORO —
Red Drum season is late summer/early fall in eastern NC. Like most fish they go by different names in different regions. The official name is Sciaenops ocellatus, but who in the world can pronounce that? Red Drum are called Channel Bass, Spottail Bass, Reds, Big Reds, Bull Reds, and Redfish. The smaller, immature fish are referred to as Puppy Drum. Anglers targeting flounder and speckled trout frequently hook Puppy Drum.
Stomping grounds for the Reds include the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts around to the Gulf of Mexico coastal areas. This fast growing fish can live up to sixty years. Forty pound fish are not uncommon. The world record is a little over 94-pounds caught off the North Carolina coast at Hatteras Island in 1984. It’s surely only a matter of time before someone catches a hundred pound BIG RED. Why not you?
Redfish are basically a dark red almost golden color with a white belly. Their most distinguishing mark is a large black spot on the upper part of the tail. Some have several spots, but it is rare to find one spotless. During spawning season males produce a drumming sound using muscular contractions to vibrate the swim bladder. This is done to attract females. I tried it, and it didn’t work for me. Go figure.
Like most big bottom dwellers, the big reds are not picky eaters. They feed on crabs, shrimp, and other fish. They tend to “mouth” the bait a few seconds before taking a serious bite. Conventional wisdom dictates counting to 5 after the initial bite before trying to set the hook. That can be a real l-o-n-g 5-seconds! Equipment ranges from spinning gear to stout rods depending on the size of fish you are targeting, and how sporty you want to be. Similar size fish can usually be found schooled-up together.
Years ago, my first experience catching Big Reds was with professional guide George Beckwith, and my son Rich, while night fishing in the lower Neuse River below Oriental. It was quite a memorable experience. We caught and released some big fish that night. Holding a Big Red he caught that night, Rich was on DEGS brochure cover picture that year. Check out Captain George Beckwith and Down East Guide Service online at www.downeastguideservice.com or call 252-671-3474
My Havelock pal, Jerry Jackson, who usually likes to chase his Reds at night, was pleased to find some daylight action at the mouth of the Neuse River recently. Vanessa Hess, a pharmacist from the Winston-Salem area, aboard JJ’s 31-foot Contender, had the right prescription for her first-ever Red Drum, cut mullet. The crew was repositioning some of the baits, and she was holding the right rod at the right time when it hit. Surprise! The 30-something-pound fish was quickly released. Jackson’s crew went on to catch & release three more Big Red later that afternoon off Oriental.
Care to share? Tight Lines welcomes your fishing success stories, snaps, tall tales, and outrageous lies at CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com
See you on the water, my friend!
Sports
Related Photos
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Vanessa Ness, of Winston-Salem, holds her first-ever Red Drum, caught at the mouth of the Neuse River. It was her largest fish caught to date. Photo/Submitted
Spawning red drum is your opportunity to catch a big fish
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Cobb, Rhodes inducted in Cougars Hall of Fame
PINETOPS – The SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars athletic department inducted two legendary coaches into their Hall of Fame Monday night. Former football coach Raymond Cobb and former baseball coach Bruce Rhodes were the recipients of the awards.
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SWE Athletes of the Year
SouthWest Edgecombe Cougar Dawson Gould was named Female Athlete of the Year and Kenneth Plummer was named Male Athlete of the Year Monday night at the Cougars annual athletic awards banquet. Gould played volleyball, basketball and softball. Plummer played football, ran indoor and outdoor track.
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Pinetops 300
PINETOPS – With the threat of rain during the weekend, it put a little damper on the Pinetops 300 Tractor and Truck Pull attendance. Friday night there was a large crowd in attendance, but not the amount it has been the last several years. There was 500 less people in attendance Friday then there was a year ago, but it didn't stop the pullers from slinging mud everywhere. The fans in one section even had a chance to see what it looked like when a belt breaks on a fine tuned machine. During the Mini Modified run, Thomas Coleman, of Stoneville, had a belt break on his KB 526 Pure Hell ride and the belt slung into the crowd. No one was injured.
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Vikings, Cougars compete in 2-A state meet
The Tarboro Vikings and SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars had six girls apiece competing in the NCHSAA 2-A state track meet in Greensboro Friday at North Carolina A&T State University.
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Six Tarboro girls to compete in track finals
Motivation is a big part of the Tarboro Viking girl's track team's success this season. They enjoy working hard during practice for their coach Rickie Dozier and get fulfillment when they compete in events. Friday will be no different for the six girls that are headed to Greensboro to compete in the NCHSAA 2-A state championship meet at North Carolina A&T State University. They will compete in three relay events and the long jump.
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BIG FISH
Camden Grant and her boyfriend Ricky Davis, Jr. caught a 10 pound carp at a state wildlife pond Wednesday morning off of Highway 33 just outside of Tarboro. Grant said she caught the fish on a piece of shrimp around 10:30 a.m.
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Vikings ousted from playoffs by Jaguars
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Tarboro failed to be productive at the plate and were eliminated from the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs after losing 8-0 in the second round. Tarboro never gave in after getting down early, but they just couldn't catch a break offensively and get anything going after trailing by five runs after the second inning. -
Cougars finish 7th in state golf match
The SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars went through the regionals and won by four strokes. They just couldn't get it going in the state golf championships Monday or Tuesday at Longleaf Golf and Country Club in Southern Pines. The Cougars finished seventh as a team after shooting 658 over the two day period.
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Vikings advance to second round after defeating Bunn
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Bess hired as new Vikings basketball coach
The Tarboro Vikings have made a coaching change in boy's basketball. They hired Reggie Bess as the new Vikings skipper April 26. Bess is a former Viking basketball star who played for Tarboro in 1995-96. He was part of a team that went to the Eastern Regional finals in 95.
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