
Black Drum (Pogonias cromis )
Description …
Black drum are bronze, grayish, copper colored back fading to a lighter colored belly. Puppy drum (juveniles) have vertical dark stripes they are similar to sheepshead, and these stripes fade in adults. Their high arched back gives them an appearance of having a hump.
Rounded teeth up front with powerful jaws and crusher plates capable of crushing oysters. clams, and other shellfish.
Their size can range upwards of 100 pounds, but the adults will average in the 70 pound range. They have 10 to 14 barbells under the chin, The caudal fin or tail is square, and the pectoral fins are pointed. These fish can be heard at night under the water by a distinct “drumming” sound. These tones are between 100 Hz and 500 Hz when performing mating calls. The “drumming sound, can be felt and heard in a boat by anglers.

Black Drum are bottom feeders and clam or sand fleas is usually the best baits for them, but they have been caught on bloodworms, squid, crab and other shellfish, especially sand fleas, their second favorite target in the surf. Fishbites Sand Flea, and Crab formulas work as well.
Bay fishing from boats it is best to use clams for bait. Anglers will hear the fish “drumming” under the boat and nearby.
The juveniles or “puppy” drum will frequently hit the smaller or “lesser” baits (squid, bloodworms, soft crab, peeler crab, and fishbites) The migratory black drum run will show up in Delaware in the early spring (mid April usually) and can be caught throughout the Delaware Bay, surf, and inland bays
Season and Creel limits for Delaware …
Black drum |
All year |
16 inches |
3/angler/day |




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