Fish guide
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis.
Showing the fish for Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay mouth, VA.
Season in Virginia Beach
Peak months: Apr, May.
FishTalk: black drum return to the surfside beaches by the end of March and the run is in full swing by mid-April; CBBT pilings in July. Maryland DNR: short intense run late April to early June on the grounds west of Cape Charles. VSWFT citations Apr to Jun peak (Tangier Sound, CBBT, off Fisherman Island). (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
The CBBT, the Cell, Kiptopeke ships, the HRBT and Bay shoals west of Cape Charles (boat or kayak), and the surfside beaches from late March; clams, sand fleas or blue crab.
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; big drum are better released. Check VMRC rules.
Typical: Over 50 lb fish common in the spring run. Large: unknown. Largest Chesapeake fish 111 lb, off Cape Charles (1973).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, March 2026 (Angler knowledge)
- FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, July 2025 (Angler knowledge)
- Maryland DNR Fish Facts: Black Drum (Official source)
- VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2024 Citations Year To Date (every trophy citation with species, catch date, area, technique) (Official source)
- VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2025 Citations Year To Date (printed May 8 2026) (Official source)
- 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?
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