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Saltwater

Black drum

Juvenile black drum, silver with dark vertical bars and chin barbels, photographed on black
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recognition

Deep silvery-gray to dark gray body with blackish fins. Many barbels under the lower jaw. Young fish carry four or five vertical black bars that fade with age.

SC DNR

Waters

Estuaries, coastal rivers, shallow bays and beaches, tied to hard structure such as reefs, jetties, docks, pilings, piers and bridges. Young fish use muddy bottoms in shallow tidal creeks and salt marsh.

SC DNR · GA DNR

Months

Feb–Oct

Most abundant in South Carolina nearshore waters February to July. In Georgia, abundant in inshore waters April to October.

SC DNR

Months present, by species
SpeciesJanJFebFMarMAprAMayMJunJJulJAugASepSOctONovNDecD
Black drumJan: not statedFeb: presentMar: presentApr: presentMay: presentJun: presentJul: presentAug: presentSep: presentOct: presentNov: not statedDec: not stated
  • Present
  • Peak
  • Not stated

Bait

  • Large piece of blue crab
  • Shrimp
  • Fiddler crab

SC DNR · GA DNR

Size and bag limits