Black Drum season is here and Sea Play Sportfishing Charters has your ticket to the big show! Here we outline the need to know information on the Gulf of Mexico’s under-loved cousin to the Red Drum.
Get all of the information here then pop over to our Inshore Charter page to book your next trip! We are now offering a 10% discount for repeat customers. In addition, March 1st – March 31st 2019, the Sea Play Sportfishing angler that catches the largest Black Drum will receive their next 4 Hour Jetty Charter FREE!
The Black Drum is a chunky fish with many whiskers under its lower jaw. The younger fish have 4-5 dark stripes on their sides but these disappear with age. The bellies of the older fish are white but the color on their backs can vary greatly. Fish from Gulf waters usually aren’t very colorful. Those living in muddy bay waters have bronze or dark gray backs and sides. Some are even jet black.
In the first year of life, the fish reach up to six inches in length, doubling in size the second year to 12 inches, and reaching 16 inches in the third. After that, they generally grow about 2 inches per year. The largest black drum on record weighed 146 pounds. The record taken by a Texas sport angler is 78 pounds, with the average Bull Drum weighing in at about 30-40 pounds.
When it comes to choosing feeding spots, Black Drum are similar to their cousin, the Red Drum. Typically, Black Drum will be found in channels that bisect shallow flats during low tide or cool weather. They will move up to the edges of the adjacent flats during high tide.
When found on the flats, the primary difference between the two species is the depth of the water they prefer. Black Drum rarely wander far from the deeper channels, whereas Redfish are well known for traversing great distances in water barely deep enough to cover their backs. Both species routinely feed in large schools and will muddy the water in a rather large area while ‘grubbing’ for food along the bottom.
Another key difference between the species is that Black Drum prefer a muddy, mucky bottom year around. This bottom is all the more attractive if it is covered with oysters, mussels or other shellfish. Black Drum will spend the majority of their time siphoning crabs, shrimp and marine worms from soft-bottom flats.
Fishermen hoping to tempt Black Drum with tackle should look for baits in natural colors and scents. Glow, New Penny, Motor Oil and Brown Crab are among the best color patterns. These baits are most effective when free-lined or used to sight-cast to individual fish.
Although crab and shrimp-shaped lures are the most effective for Black Drum, soft- plastic and bucktail jigs will dupe fish from time to time. Again, a small profile and natural color pattern are the key elements. The retrieval is equally important. When tossing jigs at Black Drum, a slow, steady retrieval is best.
Fishing is an art and can take years or even decades to master. When it comes to catching Black Drum in Texas, Sea Play Sportfishing knows where to fish and what bait to use. We pride ourselves on being knowledgeable and understand that fishing can be time to relax, as well as serious business! If you are serious about catching Black Drum this season, call us today! 281-851-6151
