Black drum in Florida

Meet the species

Black drum
Image credit: © diane rome peebles

Scientific name

Pogonias cromis

Overview

Inshore fish common to bays, river mouths and lagoons. Bottom dwellers, often found around oyster beds, docks and bridge pilings. May also be found offshore. Juveniles found in estuaries.

Typical size

Up to 67 inches

At a glance

Peak months
January–may, december
Regions
Panhandle, tampa bay, northeast, southeast, southwest, central east
Water
Saltwater
Bait
Anglers typically use cut bait, shrimp, sand fleas or blue crabs as bait & and it is very important to keep the bait on the bottom where the drum feed. Bait-casting or spinning tackle with 15 to 30 pound test line would be suitable for most conditions.

Florida fishing record

Weight
96 lb
Location
Fernandina beach
Date
Apr 12, 2001
Angler
James E. Cartwright
Type
Florida state record

Open record source

Record catch notes

96.0 lb; by james E. Cartwright; on 04/12/2001; at fernandina beach

When to fish

Peak months

January–may, december

Good months

January–december

Season notes

Months mentioned in profile narrative (not a fishing calendar): may best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak from seasonal WTF bullets (n sea 11, n yr 0, thresh> 5). Peak jan, feb, mar, apr, may, dec good jan, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov & dec.

More season details

Where to fish

Florida regions

Panhandle, tampa bay, northeast, southeast, southwest & central east

Water

Saltwater

Habitat

Inshore fish common to bays, river mouths and lagoons. Bottom dwellers, often found around oyster beds, docks and bridge pilings. May also be found offshore. Juveniles found in estuaries.

More locations and access

How to catch

The vertical bars on juvenile black drum are somewhat similar to those on sheepshead and spadefish. Anglers typically use cut bait, shrimp, sand fleas or blue crabs as bait, and it is very important to keep the bait on the bottom where the drum feed. Tackle requirements are dependent on the size of fish being targeted, the location and current. Bait-casting or spinning tackle with 15 to 30 pound test line would be suitable for most conditions. State record: 96 lbs & caught near fernandina beach

Bait

Anglers typically use cut bait, shrimp, sand fleas or blue crabs as bait & and it is very important to keep the bait on the bottom where the drum feed. Bait-casting or spinning tackle with 15 to 30 pound test line would be suitable for most conditions.

Videos

Sources

Fishing videos from local voices

Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.