Appearance
- Back is highly-arched and gray or black, fading to a lighter belly
- Juveniles have 4 to 6 dark vertical bars on sides (fade with age)
- Barbels on lower jaw
- Large scales
- Powerful pharyngeal teeth used to crush oysters and other shellfish
Similar Species: Red drum, S. ocellatus; and sheepshead, A. probatocephalus (both lack barbels on lower jaw)
Size: Up to 67 inches
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.
Behavior
Largest of drum species. Spawns nearshore in winter and early spring. Feeds on fishes and invertebrates including oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimp. May live to 35 or more years.
Additional Information
Fishing Tips and Facts: 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
Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles