November on the Carolina coast means one thing: red drum and big ones at that!
Fishing for big red drum requires stout tackle, heavy leaders and large hooks. Because creel and size limit for redfish are one fish between 18 and 27 inches it is recommended that you use circle hooks to be able to release any non-keepers without causing the fish any undue harm. The big drum are the breeding fish and it is important to get them back in the water fast and in good health.
Because the adult red drum diet is mostly made up of fish, cut bait of all kinds work the best. Most anglers recommend using a drum rig or a Carolina rig for presentation. Just about any area from behind the breakers to the end of the pier can be productive.
Speckled trout will be in abundance in November at the piers and anglers will be targeting them with live minnows and shrimp and artificials on jig heads like Gulp baits and MirrOlures. They can be targeted anywhere on a pier but frequently the surf zone to behind the breakers are best.
Bluefish will be caught all month in November. Generally these will be the smaller fish, up to about two pounds, but occasionally a larger school will come by. Gotcha plugs are ideal but bluefish will hit anything from a bottom rig with shrimp to a steel spoon.
Bottom fishermen will still be picking up croaker and whiting and there still could be a few late spot schools to be had. Flounder will still be caught as well as will the occasional gray trout.
Black drum will also be in abundance. Use shrimp, squid or cut bait as black drum are bottom feeders. Black drum size can very greatly. They can be as little as the palm of your hand or up to over 100 pounds. The world record black drum is 146 pounds.
November is an underrated fishing month in the Carolinas, but anglers that know better target it as one of their favorites of the whole year. North Carolina piers will be open through the end of the month. It is a great time to enjoy the planks!
FORECAST BY: Al Baird
Founder, North Carolina Fishing Pier Society
Co-Founder, North Carolina Public Access Foundation
www.ncfps.com • www.ncpaf.com
