Black Drum

Oceans & Range: Western Atlantic Ocean — from Nova Scotia south through Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to Northern Mexico. Found in bays, estuaries, tidal rivers, nearshore reefs, and surf zones. Very common in Texas and Louisiana bays. The largest member of the drum family.

Preferred Water Temperature: 52°F–80°F. Highly adaptable — tolerates cooler water than Redfish. Concentrates in deep bay channels and Gulf passes in winter. Moves to shallow flats and surf zones in spring and fall. Large concentrations form during spawning in early spring.

Size & Weight: Smaller "puppy drum" (under 15 lbs) are best eating. Trophy fish reach 80–100 lbs. World record: 113 lbs 1 oz from Delaware. Distinctively patterned with vertical black bars (juveniles) fading to solid black or gray with age. Has grinding teeth for crushing shellfish — oyster bars and crab-rich areas are prime habitat.

Best Lures: Soft plastic crabs are very effective around oyster beds. Heavy jigs work in channels. Topwater lures produce strikes during spring feeding on the flats. Swimbaits near structure catch fish.

Best Baits: Fresh crabs are the number one bait — blue crabs cut in half or whole small crabs. Fresh clams produce excellent results. Live and fresh shrimp work consistently. Sand fleas are outstanding in the surf. Fresh cut mullet produces fish in bays and passes.

Western Atlantic Ocean — from Nova Scotia south through Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to Northern Mexico. Found in bays, estuaries, tidal rivers, nearshore reefs, and surf zones. Very common in Texas and Louisiana bays. The largest member of the drum family.

52°F–80°F. Highly adaptable — tolerates cooler water than Redfish. Concentrates in deep bay channels and Gulf passes in winter. Moves to shallow flats and surf zones in spring and fall. Large concentrations form during spawning in early spring.

Best Lures: Soft plastic crabs are very effective around oyster beds. Heavy jigs work in channels. Topwater lures produce strikes during spring feeding on the flats. Swimbaits near structure catch fish. Best Baits: Fresh crabs are the number one bait — blue crabs cut in half or whole small crabs. Fresh clams produce excellent results. Live and fresh shrimp work consistently. Sand fleas are outstanding in the surf. Fresh cut mullet produces fish in bays and passes.

Smaller "puppy drum" (under 15 lbs) are best eating. Trophy fish reach 80–100 lbs. World record: 113 lbs 1 oz from Delaware. Distinctively patterned with vertical black bars (juveniles) fading to solid black or gray with age. Has grinding teeth for crushing shellfish — oyster bars and crab-rich areas are prime habitat.