How to Catch Black Drum Fish

Black Drum

Black drum is a fun fish to catch. They tend to have a larger size then average and their aggressive nature makes for a wild fight. This article is a step by step guide on how to prepare your gear and what bait to use.
Let's keep it slow and take things step by step.
Step 1: Fishing Gear
Choosing the right gear will help you land black drums, yet keep the fight fun and exciting. We suggest that you use a 8-10 foot rod. This will give you good casting power and enough tip action to reel in these powerful fish without over powering them. We also suggest using at least a nylon leader. Black drum tends to hang out close to the bottom near wreckages or other structures, so having a nylon leader will help reduce the risks of your line snapping when you first hook the fish. This brings us to the next part which is hook size. We have found that 5/0 hooks are a nice medium for black drums. These fish vary in size bit the 5/0 tends to catch a majority of them.
Step 2: Location
​Black drums enjoy underwater structures. This includes shipwrecks, artificial reefs and stones/jetties. When using a boat look for these structures on your fish finder. When fishing from surf, bridges or docks, try to observe for underwater structures. If you are still unsure then try asking your local tackle shop when your pickup bait, they have extensive knowledge of the area you are fishing in.
Step 3: Bait
The best bait for catching a black drum is mackeral. Mackeral is a very oily and smelly bait that can pull them away from the structures they are hiding in. A second best is fresh shrimp. Fresh shrimp is a black drum favorite and is great for luring them to your rig. Last but not least, when all else fails try using bunker. Bunker isn't their favorite bait but we have had success with it.
Lastly, have fun! Black drums fight hard and can take upwards of 15 minutes to bring in. Ensure you check with the local regulations for size and limits. Release any and all fish you don't plan on eating. Let them live to fight another day. For further guides and fishing information, see our website!!!