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June 21, 2026

An ‘old drum rig’ baited with a steak of cut mullet is a common bottom rig for adult red drum.

‘Old drum rig’ is required in summer

When fishing for red drum in the Pamlico Sound and its tributaries south of the Albemarle Sound between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., from July 1 through Sept. 30, anglers must use an “old drum” rig. […]

Channel catfish provide plenty of hot, summer fishing action on Lake Russell.

Cattin’ around Russell in the summer

Terry Madewell

Guide Jerry Kotal loves to fish for both spotted bass and largemouth bass, but he generally does so in the cooler months. […]

Docks along the ICW from Wrightsville Beach to Bald Head Island come in various shapes and sizes, and a lot of them hold flounder through the summer.

Docks = Flounder Magnets

Jeff Burleson

Since man began floating vessels across rivers and oceans, symbiotic relationships have formed and continue to provide benefits to users above and below the water’s surface. […]

Small, out-of-the-way ponds are often some of the best for targeting bream or shellcrackers with a fly rod.

Locating isolated ponds

L. Woodrow Ross

Fishing on smaller Upstate lakes such as Bowen, Cunningham, Robinson and Cooley is always a good choice, but you will find more competition for the fishing than on remote ponds. […]

Guide Jot Owens said the influx of baitfish into inshore waters from Wrightsville Beach to Snow’s Cut and through to the Cape Fear attracts flounders’ attention.

Don’t forget Snow’s Cut

Jeff Burleson

The Cape Fear River and the ICW between Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach are prime places to find doormat flounder during the summer. […]

Sit-on-top or sit-inside kayaks are good choices for exploring small waters for bream.

Kayak selection

L. Woodrow Ross

Kayak selection is a matter of choice. A good choice for bush-whacking into remote ponds would be a fairly light kayak in the 10- to 11-foot range. […]

Flounder appear to bite better on bright, sunny days when the water is extremely clear, if you know how to make a good presentation with a bright-colored lure.

Let conditions dictate presentation

Jeff Burleson

Flounder are ambush feeders, relying solely on the sense of sight to obtain their daily sustenance. […]

High-quality, UV-resistant sunglasses enable fishermen to see what’s beneath the surface and often spot cruising redfish without the problem of glare.

Cut the glare!

Jeff Burleson

Sight-fishing for both freshwater and saltwater fish takes on more of a hunting tact than fishing. Anglers must detect targets long before the fish realize they have been spotted. […]

Gavin Dibler of Kitty Hawk learned how to inflate a puffer fish while fishing on the Miss Oregon Inlet.

Outer Banks head boat tips

Walter Taylor

Check the weather before you go. Wind direction affects water clarity that can determine the fishing. […]

Flies that will draw strikes from tailing redfish run the gamut of colors, shapes and sizes, but most resemble something the fish are eating.

Tying one on

Jeff Burleson

Fishing for tailing reds on flooded flats is among the most-exciting angling opportunities available to South Carolina fishermen. […]