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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Black Drum in North Carolina Southern Coast may fishing.

Pogonias cromisSeasonal MovementGood

Spawn winding down.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Fair Wintering on inshore structure. Typical water temp: 50–58°FFairFeb — Good Pre-spawn — fish at inlets. Typical water temp: 54–62°FGoodMar — Peak Spring spawn — bull drum in passes. Typical water temp: 60–66°FPeakApr — Peak Peak Lowcountry black drum spawn. Typical water temp: 64–70°FPeakMay — Good Spawn winding down. Typical water temp: 68–76°FGoodJun — Fair Resident fish on oyster bars. Typical water temp: 76–82°FFairJul — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 80–84°FFairAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 80–84°FFairSep — Good Fall feeding. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodOct — Good Same. Typical water temp: 68–74°FGoodNov — Good Pre-winter feeding. Typical water temp: 60–66°FGoodDec — Good Wintering pattern. Typical water temp: 54–60°FGood

Migration pattern

Pre-spawn aggregations at Lowcountry inlets January–March; spawn February–April; resident year-round on oyster bars.

Best locations

  • Cape Fear River mouth
  • Masonboro Inlet
  • Wrightsville Beach jetties
  • Topsail Inlet

Top lures

  • Whole blue crab on bottom
  • Live shrimp
  • Cut clam
  • Cut crab
  • Fresh shrimp
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Black Drum in other regions

Get a notification when black drum show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in North Carolina Southern Coast.

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