Puppy Drum Run Continues

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Severn River

My friend AJ and I were out fishing on Sunday August 19, 2012 in a cove near the mouth of one the creeks in the Severn River. We were just casting some spinners into shallow water (2-6') going after some White Perch, when AJ got a hit from something a little more substantial than a small perch. He reeled in this little beauty, of approximately 10 inches. I have never caught this type of fish around here before, but I had seen them on TV and in fishing reports. After doing a little research to refresh my memory, I determined it is a small Red Drum. Is this an unusual catch for the area? It was pretty cool to see, and we released it back into the creek after snapping this photo. Any information about their range and rarity in these parts would be appreciated, Thanks!

DNR Response: Hello Evan, thanks for the report and photo. We have had an unusual number of puppy drum (red drum) in our waters this season, I spoke with one of our biologist who said this is a cyclical event that occurs around every 10 years, we have reports as far north as Baltimore if my memory is correct.