Read the article with FishingTheSpot: the black drum
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See the fishing tripsThe Black Drum
All year
30 cm
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The Black Drum belongs to the Sciaenidae family. The adult can reach 1.55 meters for 45 kg. They spawn from April to June. They can live for about 50 years. It can be fished all year round.
The black drum is a stocky fish with a high backrest and many barbells or whiskers under the lower jaw. Younger fish have four or five dark vertical stripes on their sides, but these vanish with age. Older fish have a white belly, but the color of the back and sides can vary considerably. Fish in Gulf waters often lack color and are light grey or silvery. Those who live in the muddy waters of the bay have dark grey or bronze backs and sides. Some are solid silver-grey or jet-black.
The Black drum lifestyle
Black drum larvae eat mainly zooplankton and young black drums (less than 20 cm long) eat worms and small fish. Black drums feed mainly on the bottom, with adults eating mainly mollusks and crabs.
Spawning generally occurs from April to June. Females can lay eggs every three days during the spawning season. After spawning, adults move away to feed. The eggs hatch within 24 hours. After a few weeks, the young take the form of adults. Black drum is mature at 4 years old.
The Black drum habitat
This species can adapt to a wide range of habitats. Drums are found in the clearest waters of mudflats and in the muddiest waters of a flooded swamp, growing in waters so shallow that their backs are exposed
The black drum is found along the Atlantic coast from New York to the south through the Gulf States to Mexico. It is the most abundant in Texas and is found in all waters of the bay and coastal and offshore in Gulf waters.
The Black drum angling
Anyone can grab a drum, regardless of their skills and finances. Fishing equipment can be a fishing rod, trotline, hand line or rod stick, and bait is inexpensive. Fishing can be done from the docks or the bank and the whole family can participate.
Black drums are rarely taken with artificial bait, as most foods are fed by touch and smell. Fish, squid and cut shrimp are used, peeled shrimp tails (preferably ripe and smelly) being the most popular. Since the feeding is from below, the basic technique is simple: place a hook with bait on the bottom and wait for the drum to swallow it.
The equipment to be used depends on the size of the fish present. For small drums, the light tackle is more sporty, but for the bigger ones, you need heavy rods with a lot of spine. Use a single solid hook with appropriate line and force guide. For more sport, try the light tackle using a single drop without a platinum, allowing the bait to move along the bottom with the current. If the bait doesn't sink, a few shots on the chief will help. The lack of weight increases fish control. A classic bottom platform with a plate and one or more drops with simple hooks is most often used for shore fishing and surfing or for fishing from an anchored boat.
