Pogonias cromis

How to identify a Black Drum

Black Drum are found in beaches, jetties, marshes, inlets, kelp lines; tide/current edges. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Beaches, jetties, marshes, inlets, kelp lines; tide/current edges

Where to catch Black Drum

• Laguna Madre (TX) — all species we list for this fishery
• Louisiana marshes — all species we list for this fishery
• Mosquito Lagoon (FL)
• Outer Banks (NC) — all species we list for this fishery

Black Drum by state

State season calendars that list Black Drum — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Alabama — seasons, best months and licence info
• Florida — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• North Carolina — seasons, best months and licence info
• Texas — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Shrimp · crabs · small baitfish · spoons · jigs · soft plastics

Detailed identification guides

• Red Drum vs. Black Drum

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Black Drum:

• Corb (Shi Drum) — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Freshwater Drum — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Black Grouper — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Black Marlin — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Black Rockfish — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Black Sea Bass — identification & profile (Saltwater)