Black Drum

Name:

Black Drum

Scientific Name:

Pogonias cromis

Characteristics:

The Black Drum is a saltwater fish similar to its cousin, the Red Drum. It is the only species in the genus Pogonias. Though most specimens are generally found in the 5-30lb (2–14 kg) range, the black drum is well known as the largest of all the drum family with some specimens reaching excesses of 90lbs (40 kg). They are often black and/or gray in color with juvenile fish having distinctive dark stripes over a gray body. The world record black drum was just over 113lbs (51 kg). It is recommended those over 15lbs pounds (7 kg) should be released, as the flesh is very coarse and tough. Black drums are capable of producing tones between 100 Hz and 500 Hz when performing mating calls.

Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish. In Cajun French Black drum are some times called "gaspergou" (sometimes spelled gaspergoo) or shortened to "goo". This is an anglicization of "casse burgau" which translates from French to mussel breaker, in reference to the fish's habit of eating mussels.

Fish Habits:

The black drum is usually found in or near brackish waters. Larger, older fish are more commonly found in the saltier areas of an estuary (closer to the ocean) near oyster beds or other plentiful food sources. Smaller fish have bold vertical black and white stripes and can be mistaken for Sheepshead at first glance, but are distinguished on closer inspection because sheepshead have teeth. These stripes usually fade to dull grey as the fish grow from 12" to 24" in length. Juvenile fish are more commonly found in less salty areas and relate more strongly to structure and cover.

Adult Size:

Black drum can reach lengths over 4 feet and weights over 90 lbs.

Fishing Tactics:

Black drum are bottom feeders, so they are most commonly caught with bait either on the bottom or suspended within a couple feet of the bottom. Shrimp is a typical bait that works well; squid can also be used and is less subject to bait stealing by hardhead catfish and Atlantic croakers which often frequent the same waters. There are times when the older,larger fish are more readily caught on a half or a quarter of a blue crab with the top shell removed and cut or broken to fit on a 4/0 to 9/0 hook.

A big adult drum grabs the bait, takes off with gusto, and can put up quite a fight. An unsecured rod can easily be pulled into the water. Landing these big fish on light tackle can be challenging, and since drum are primarily scent-based feeders, there is little disadvantage in using heavier line and tackle. A 40-lb braided line with a comparable weight flurocarbon leader is a good compromise between castability and strength. However, big drum are frequently caught with everything from 8-lb monofiliment to 100-lb braided lines with heavy steel leaders.

An effective strategy for fishing from a boat is to select a spot with a sandy bottom or oyster bed where food is plentiful at a time of day with some tidal movement. Pier or bank fishing should target jetties, structure, or a boat channel near a rapid increase in depth and some tidal movement. With stout tackle, black drum above 10 lbs are relatively easy for children to catch because they are not particularly skittish and do not easily come off once they are hooked. Because bigger drum can make a long, strong run right after taking the bait, preventing broken line often requires a relatively light drag setting early in the fight.

Distribution:

In the western Atlantic, black drum are found from Nova Scotia to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Antilles (uncommon), and the southern Caribbean coast; also from the Orinoco delta to Argentina.