It's a Fishing Day

Species

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus · family Sciaenidae

Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.

Preferred conditions

Water temp
65–85°F (ideal 75°F)
Tide
incoming
Moon
either
Depth
3–20 ft
Active months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Best red drum conditions today

  1. Assateague Island — MD Surf Worcester, MD
    43/100
  2. Ocean City Inlet — North Jetty Worcester, MD
    43/100
  3. Cape Henlopen State Park Sussex, DE
    43/100
  4. Indian River Inlet Sussex, DE
    43/100
  5. Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing Sussex, DE
    43/100
  6. Delaware Seashore State Park Sussex, DE
    43/100
  7. Slaughter Beach Sussex, DE
    43/100
  8. Chincoteague NWR — Fishing Access Accomack, VA
    43/100
  9. Rudee Inlet — Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA
    43/100
  10. Solomon's Island Fishing Pier Calvert, MD
    27/100
  11. Point Lookout State Park St. Mary's, MD
    27/100

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (tidal)

tidal bay

Min size
18"
Max size
27"
Creel
1

Chesapeake Bay: 18–27 inch slot, 1 per day. All fish outside the slot must be released. ASMFC red drum addendum — re-verify annually.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

atlantic

Min size
18"
Max size
27"
Creel
1

Atlantic coast and coastal bays: 18–27 inch slot, 1 per day. Release all fish outside the slot.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Delaware (tidal)

tidal delaware

Min size
20"
Max size
27"
Creel
5

Delaware Bay and tidal tributaries: 20–27 inch slot, 5 per day. Noticeably looser than MD (18–27 in slot, 1/day) — DE allows a higher creel and a narrower (higher) minimum size. Release all fish outside the slot.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

atlantic

Min size
20"
Max size
27"
Creel
5

Delaware Atlantic coast and Inland Bays: 20–27 inch slot, 5 per day. All fish outside the slot must be released.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (tidal — VMRC)

tidal bay

Min size
18"
Max size
26"
Creel
3

Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay, including the Eastern Shore seaside creeks): 18–26 inch slot, 3 per day. 4VAC20-1400. Note the slot is TIGHTER than MD (18–27 in) by one inch on the top end, but the creel is higher (3 vs. MD's 1). Fish outside the slot must be released.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

atlantic

Min size
18"
Max size
26"
Creel
3

Virginia Atlantic coast: 18–26 inch slot, 3 per day. Same rule as tidal Bay. All fish outside the slot must be released. Popular fall surf fishery along the Eastern Shore seaside and Virginia Beach.

Source · verified 2026-04-22