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Black Drum

Black Drum

Black Drum in Mississippi are one of the largest members of the drum family and bottom-feeding fish that are opportunistic feeders with powerful crushing plates in their throats. Mississippi's coastal waters support healthy Black Drum populations year-round.

Scientific Name: Pogonias cromis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Reaching impressive sizes up to 46 inches and over 100 pounds, though most caught range 20-30 pounds.
  • They're distinguished by their robust, deep bodies with dark, heavily scaled skin ranging from silvery-gray to black, prominent chin barbels for detecting prey, and vertical bars on younger fish that fade with age.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit diverse Mississippi habitats including sandy and muddy bottoms, shell-lined areas, brackish marshes, around bridge pilings, jetties, piers, and artificial structures.
  • Black Dr.um tolerate wide salinity ranges and may venture into freshwater during droughts, but prefer higher salinity for spawning.
  • The species is abundant throughout southeastern states with stable populations.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi's coastal waters and structures including bridge pilings, piers, jetties, oyster bars, and artificial reefs.

Specific Spots

  • Around Mississippi's coastal structures including bridge pilings, piers, jetties, oyster bars, and artificial reefs.
  • Focus on areas with structure, soft bottoms, and current breaks where these bottom-feeders congregate.

Black Drum FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Black Drum in Mississippi?

Top baits include fresh or live blue crab (cut in half), live or dead shrimp (pinch tail for scent), fresh clams, fiddler crabs, and cut mullet.

When is the best time to fish for Black Drum in Mississippi?

Peak seasons are late winter through spring and again in fall when fish move inshore. During cooler months, they move into shallower inshore waters, making them more accessible to anglers.

How do you catch Black Drum in Mississippi?

Present baits on bottom using knocker rigs, dropper loop rigs, or Carolina rigs. For sight fishing in shallows, use lighter jigs. Place lures directly in front of feeding fish as they won't chase - imagine a dinner plate-sized target zone.

What do Black Drum eat?

Consuming primarily crustaceans (blue crabs, fiddler crabs, shrimp), mollusks (oysters, clams, mussels), small fish, and invertebrates.

Where do Black Drum live in Mississippi?

They inhabit diverse Mississippi habitats including sandy and muddy bottoms, shell-lined areas, brackish marshes, around bridge pilings, jetties, piers, and artificial structures. Black Dr.um tolerate wide salinity ranges and may venture into freshwater during droughts, but prefer higher salinity for spawning.

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