Red Drum Fishing in Virginia
When red drum are caught across Virginia, season by season, from NOAA’s recreational catch survey (2024).
Red Drum catch through the year
Recreational catch in Virginia by two-month season. The peak window is highlighted.
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Seasonal catch, tides, and the day's conditions worth knowing for your spots, plus the occasional PATHR update. No spam.
Catching red drum in Virginia
Red Drum catches in Virginia run hardest around Sep-Oct, with the strongest two-month windows in Sep-Oct and Mar-Apr. Anglers keep about 19% of what they catch and release the rest. All of this comes from NOAA’s recreational catch survey, so it maps the season rather than any single day.
To turn the season into a trip, line the peak window up with the daily bite. Check the Virginia fishing times for the solunar windows, the tide charts for moving water, and the sunrise and sunset times for first and last light.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to catch red drum in Virginia?+
Catches peak around Sep-Oct (September and October). The strongest two-month windows are Sep-Oct and Mar-Apr. This is based on NOAA's 2024 recreational catch survey, so it reflects the typical season rather than a live report.
Do anglers keep or release red drum in Virginia?+
Across Virginia, about 19% of the red drum caught are kept and 81% are released. That works out to roughly 242K kept and 1.0M released in 2024.
How many red drum are caught in Virginia?+
NOAA's survey estimated about 1.3M red drum caught by recreational anglers in Virginia in 2024, making it the #7 most-caught species in the state. Survey estimates, so read them as the shape of the season.
Where does this red drum data come from?+
NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), 2024 estimates. Courtesy: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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