Black Drum
The southern black drum (Pogonias courbina) is a bottom-feeding inshore fish with real importance to the fishery along southeastern Brazil's coast, particularly in the lagoon systems of the south.
Considered vulnerable in Brazil, it draws both commercial and recreational attention — a chunky, hard-pulling fish that roots around oyster beds and structure in estuaries and coastal lagoons.
Scientific Name: Pogonias courbina
Also known as Corvina-de-escamas, Tambor
- Chunky, high-backed body; silvery-gray to dark gray overall, with fins tipped darker — not truly black despite the name.
- Juveniles carry four or five bold dark vertical bars on their sides, fading as the fish matures — young fish can be mistaken for sheepshead.
- Cluster of short barbels (whiskers) under the lower jaw — a reliable field ID mark that separates it from other coastal drums and croakers.
- Most fish run 5–30 lbs; larger specimens exist but are less common in Brazilian lagoon fisheries.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the western South Atlantic; in Brazil, concentrated along the southeastern coast and its associated lagoon systems.
- Primarily an inshore species — estuaries, coastal lagoons, channels, and shallow bays with soft or mixed bottoms.
- Tolerates a wide range of salinity, moving between brackish lagoons and more saline coastal waters depending on season and life stage.
- Considered a vulnerable species within Brazil's southeastern lagoon systems, where it is an important fishery resource.
Key Locations
- Southeastern Brazil's coastal lagoon systems — the primary habitat and fishery focus for this species in the country.
- Estuaries and coastal channels along the southeastern coast, where the fish concentrate around structure and shellfish beds.
Specific Spots
- Oyster and mussel beds are the most reliable holding areas — the fish root along the bottom crushing shellfish with their powerful pharyngeal teeth.
- Breakwaters, jetties, bridge pilings, and dock structures concentrate both the invertebrates they eat and the fish themselves.
- Channel edges and creek mouths in lagoon systems, where tidal flow pushes food and the fish stage to intercept it.
- Shallow muddy flats adjacent to deeper lagoon channels — fish move onto flats to feed and retreat to depth when disturbed.
Black Drum FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Black Drum?
Natural baits dominate: whole or cut shrimp, fresh crab, cut fish, and squid are the most consistent producers around lagoon structure and oyster beds.
What flies work for Black Drum?
Crab flies are the primary tool, patterns tied in tan, brown, or olive with rubber legs and a weighted body to sink quickly and dredge the bottom in front of feeding fish. Use weed guards when fishing over shell or grass.
When is the best time to fish for Black Drum?
The species is present in southeastern Brazil's lagoon systems year-round, with availability tied more to water temperature and tidal movement than strict seasons. Sources do not provide specific monthly peak periods for Brazil; fish the structure and shellfish beds whenever conditions allow access.
How do you catch Black Drum?
Most fishing for southern black drum in Brazil happens from small boats or shore, working natural baits along the bottom near oyster beds, jetties, and channel edges in the southeastern lagoon systems.
What do Black Drum eat?
Shellfish, oysters, mussels, and clams, are the core of the diet; the fish's heavy pharyngeal teeth are built to crush hard shells. Crab imitations and natural crab or cut shellfish baits are the direct match. Crabs and shrimp round out the menu, especially in lagoon and estuarine habitat.
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