Beat the drum in November

Redfish bite heartily as water temperatures cool down

This is one of the best months for redfish anglers across the Carolinas, as cooling water temperatures bring these powerful gamefish into predictable patterns both inshore and near coastal inlets.

As baitfish begin to thin out, redfish feed aggressively to prepare for winter, giving anglers an excellent chance to connect with fish that are both numerous and heavy.

Wrightsville Beach

In North Carolina, the waters around Wrightsville Beach are a prime destination for redfish during November.

As water temperatures drop into the 60s, schools of reds move into the marsh creeks, grass flats, and deeper holes along the Intracoastal Waterway. Anglers targeting them often find success by fishing the falling tide when redfish move off the flats and stage along oyster beds and drop-offs.

Soft plastic lures rigged on 1/4-ounce jigheads are top producers, particularly those in natural shrimp or mullet colors. Paddletail and jerk shad-style baits worked slowly along the bottom mimic the movement of cold-stunned baitfish and trigger strikes from feeding reds.

Many anglers also favor gold spoons, which give off a flash that draws attention in slightly stained water. For those who prefer natural bait, live or cut mullet and shrimp fished on Carolina rigs or under popping corks remain dependable options.

Redfish in the Wrightsville Beach area can be found both inside the inlets and along the surf, where calm days allow surf casters to reach feeding schools that patrol the breakers.

Bulls Bay

South Carolina’s Bulls Bay, located between Charleston and Georgetown, is another exceptional place to catch redfish in November. This shallow estuary system, rich in oyster bars and mudflats, becomes a redfish hotspot as the tides pull bait from the creeks into the open bay.

During the cooler months, redfish often gather in large schools that can be spotted pushing wakes or tailing in shallow water on sunny afternoons. Sight fishing becomes a rewarding challenge, and success often comes to anglers who make accurate, quiet presentations.

Artificial lures that imitate shrimp and crabs, such as soft plastic shrimp on light jigheads or weedless rigged plastics, are extremely effective in these conditions. When the fish are spooky, natural baits like live mud minnows or chunks of cut mullet fished on light tackle can be irresistible.

Many anglers prefer to fish the outgoing tide, positioning their boats near the mouths of feeder creeks where reds ambush prey swept out by the current.

Whether fishing the marshes around Wrightsville Beach or the shallow flats of Bulls Bay, November redfish are aggressive and plentiful. With the right approach and a keen eye for tidal movement, anglers can experience some of the most consistent and exciting inshore fishing of the year across both Carolinas.