Saltwater Fish - Black Drum

Black Drum

Pogonias cromis

AKA:  Pompey drum, puppy drum

Distinguishing Markings:

Largest member of the Drum family.  High arched back; 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels; gray or black colored body with large scales in adults; young have 4 to 6 vertical bars.  Cobblestone-like teeth capable of crushing oysters.

Size:

Commonly to 30 pounds, up to 100 pounds, record is 146 pounds

Distribution:

Coasts of Gulf of Mexico and Western Atlantic Ocean.  Atlantic portion of the stock most commonly ranges from the Chesapeake Bay south to Florida. The largest numbers occur along the Texas coast in Corpus Christi Bay and Laguna Madre

Habitat:

Found inshore, common to bays and lagoons; bottom dweller often found around oyster beds; also found offshore.

Food Preference:

Oysters, mussels, crabs, shrimp and occasionally fish

Spawning:

Spawns nearshore in winter and early spring.

Fishing Tips:

Because age distribution of this species varies greatly along the East Coast, southern fisheries mainly target younger, smaller fish, while northern fisheries target older, and larger fish.

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