North Carolina’s state fish is the red drum, and pursuing these fish with surf tackle is an outerbanks tradition. Red drum, also known as puppy drum, redfish, spot-tail bass, and channel bass, grow to over four feet in length. David Deuel caught the world record 94 pound 2 ounce red drum on Hatteras Island in 1984. Puppy drum, fish less than 30 inches or so, can be found along the beaches throughout most of the year. Current NC Marine Fisheries regulations only allow you to keep one puppy drum between 18 and 27 inches, although you can earn a citation award for releasing a red drum over 40 inches..

January 17-22, 2010 Fishing Rate >>>

We heard that the locals still have been able to find puppy drum this past week on the beach while we were out of town. We understand from Jason that most were caught on lures a couple of days this week.

Since we were gone, I do not have recent fish catches but I thought I would share several Ocracoke sunset photos from my sister, Dianne Stankiewicz, during the last week of December.

We have our number posted on the door if anyone needs anything!

Have fun fishing!

Melinda

I have been unable to update the derby board photos because I am unable to figure out what I am doing wrong, so I have listed all the derby winners for 2009 below. I should have your gift certificates out in the mail to you by the end of January or the beginning of February. Congratulations to you all! Thanks for sharing your photos with us!

Kids 2009 Derby Winners

Michaela Peterson - Black Drum, Tyler Payne - Bluefish, Spencer Gaskins - Croaker,

Patrick Clark- Flounder, Dylan Esham - Gray Trout, Meredith Cavenaugh - Pompano,

Spencer Gaskins - Sea Mullet, Alston Belch - Spanish Mackerel, Luke Hooper- Speckled Trout.

Patrick Clark - Spot

Adult 2009 Derby Winners

Mary Hayes - Black Drum, Guy Newell - Bluefish, Russell Williams - Cobia,

Charlie Parks - Croaker, Dink Arrants - Dolphin, Nicole Mackel - Flounder,

Ken Debarth - Gray Trout, Alec Chatham - King Mackerel, Scott Hilliard - Pompano,

Tyree Lee - Striped Bass, Scott Hilliard - Sea Mullet, Bert Clark - Spanish Mackerel,

Ralph Casey - Speckled Trout, Jamie Canady - Wahoo

For January and February, we have our phone number posted on the door of the shop if anyone needs anything while on the island. We are planning on being opened with posted hours again in late February or early March depending on the weather.We will still have weekly fishing reports, more frequently if the fishing is better, during January and February while we have the shop closed.

Melinda