Fish guide
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis.
Showing the fish for Outer Banks, NC.
Season in Outer Banks
Island Free Press: big drum at Ocracoke Inlet, Hatteras Inlet and Cape Point usually by later March. Carolina Sportsman: black drum share the surf troughs with red drum in May. Surf or Sound: black drum in the fall surf mix; Rodanthe Pier black drum in August (Island Free Press). (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Surf troughs with red drum, Cape Point and the inlets, the piers; shrimp and sand fleas.
Bottom, around structure.
What to look for
Structure with moving water.
Bait
Fresh or peeled shrimp, Clams, Sand fleas, Crab pieces. Fish-finder or double-drop, 2/0 to 5/0 circle, 2 to 4 oz.
Leader
20 to 40 lb.
Common mistakes
- Fishing away from structure
- Using lures
Landing
Heavy fish; use waves.
Handling
- Crushing throat teeth
- Stout dorsal spines
Keep fingers out of the throat; watch the dorsal spines.
Keep or release
Smaller drum eat well. Check NC rules.
Typical: About 14 in, 2.2 lb. Large: 30 to 60 lb (uncommon). SC record 89 lb (1978).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Island Free Press: Outer Banks Angling, It's winter (Rob Alderman, Feb 27 2015) (Angler knowledge)
- Carolina Sportsman: Outer Banks fishing report, May 2026 (Angler knowledge)
- Surf or Sound Realty: Hatteras Island surf fishing seasons (Angler knowledge)
- Island Free Press: Outer Banks Angling, fishing report for Aug 19 to 24 (Rob Alderman, 2010) (Angler knowledge)
- ASMFC 2017, Atlantic Sciaenid Habitats (Habitat Management Series 14): Black Drum chapter (Official source)
- SCDNR species profile: black drum (Official source)
- SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
Is black drum worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
Create your account