{"id":13221,"date":"2018-01-02T04:50:05","date_gmt":"2018-01-02T10:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/?p=13221"},"modified":"2025-06-07T20:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T01:08:24","slug":"captiva-fishing-black-drum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/?p=13221","title":{"rendered":"Captiva Fishing, Black Drum!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Big<\/a>
Big Black Drum caught inshore of Sanibel Island, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service. Monday, January 1, 2017, (File Photo – November 26, 2013].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, January 1, 2018: Black Drum.<\/h2>\n

\"CaptivaRentals.org:<\/a>Captiva Fishing Report, Monday, January 1: Black Drum, Catch & Release;<\/strong>\u00a0Red Tide Report<\/a> <\/strong>(Caloosahatchee freshwater runoff impact continuing to lessen a bit; some Red Tide but it is broken up and largely dispersed); more fishing reports from other areas and Captains below.<\/p>\n

Monday, January 1:\u00a0 Black Drum, Blind Pass; Pompano & Bluefish schools running inshore, Snook in the passes, Seatrout on grass flats, Redfish on oyster bars, and Grouper on the structure.<\/p>\n

Please also visit the\u00a0Sanibel<\/a>,\u00a0Fort Myers<\/a>,\u00a0Florida Fishing Report<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Cuban Fishing<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>sites.\u00a0 <\/strong>Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.<\/p>\n

Please click here to\u00a0Book A Charter<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or call\u00a0239-472-8658 <\/strong>and here for\u00a0Live Sanibel Traffic Cams<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\"Big<\/a>
Big Black Drum, Offshore, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, January 1, 2018,
[File Photo – Friday, 2-19-16].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u201cThe\u00a0black drum<\/b>\u00a0(Pogonias cromis<\/i>), also known as “Blue Drum” for its dark and hint of blue color, is a saltwater\u00a0fish similar to its cousin, the\u00a0red drum<\/a>. It is the only\u00a0species<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0genus<\/a>\u00a0Pogonias<\/b><\/i>. Though most specimens are generally found in the 5-30\u00a0lb (2\u201314\u00a0kg) range, the black drum is well known as the largest of all the drum family with some specimens reaching excesses of 90\u00a0lb (40\u00a0kg).<\/p>\n

The world record black drum was just over 113\u00a0lb (51\u00a0kg). They are often black and\/or gray in color with juvenile fish having distinctive dark stripes over a gray body. Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish.<\/p>\n

\"Tom,<\/a>
Tom, Black Drum, Inshore, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, January 1, 2018, [File Photo – Friday, 4-29-17].<\/figcaption><\/figure>It is recommended those over 15\u00a0lb pounds (7\u00a0kg) should be released. Black drum are capable of producing tones between 100\u00a0Hz and 500\u00a0Hz when performing mating calls.<\/p>\n

The black drum is usually found in or near brackish waters. Larger, older fish are more commonly found in the saltier areas of an estuary (closer to the ocean) near oyster beds or other plentiful food sources. Juvenile fish have 4 to 5 bold vertical black bars on a light background and can be mistaken for\u00a0Sheepshead<\/a>\u00a0at first glance, but are distinguished on closer inspection because sheepshead have teeth and black drum have chin barbels. These stripes usually fade to dull grey as the fish grow from 12\u00a0inches to 24\u00a0inches in length.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>
Black Drum caught inshore of Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Juvenile fish are more commonly found in less salty areas and relate more strongly to structure and cover. In the western Atlantic, black drum are found from Nova Scotia to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Antilles (uncommon), and the southern Caribbean coast; also from the Orinoco delta to Argentina.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0They are common between the\u00a0Delaware Bay<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Florida<\/a>\u00a0coasts, and most abundant along the Texas coast. After reaching maturity by the end of their second year, black drum spawn in and around estuarine waters. In Texas, most spawning takes place in February and March.[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

<\/sup>Black drum larvae eat mostly\u00a0zooplankton<\/a>, and young black drum (less than 20\u00a0cm long) eat worms and small fish. Black drum are mostly bottom feeders, with adults eating mostly mollusks and crabs. In shallow water, they have been reported to feed with their heads down so that their tails show above the water surface. Their sensitive chin barbels help locate food, and strong\u00a0pharyngeal teeth<\/a>\u00a0crush the shells of these preferred foods.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>
Black Drum 2, 1-18-14, Blind Pass, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It has been reported that, in captivity, large drum were able to eat more than two commercial-sized oysters per kilogram of body weight each day.[3]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0This translates into the potential for a 20\u00a0kg drum (about 45\u00a0lb) to eat 40 oysters a day. Fishing advice for black drum along the east and southeast coasts of the United States often includes the suggestion to locate an oyster bed. However, this preference has also caused black drum to be a nuisance for those who raise oysters commercially.[4]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0A group of black drum can do great damage to an oyster bed in a single day.<\/p>\n

Black drum are bottom feeders, so they are most commonly caught with bait either on the bottom or suspended within a couple feet of the bottom. Bottom fishing methods are used both in surf fishing and inshore fishing.[11]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Shrimp is a typical bait that works well; squid can also be used and is less subject to bait stealing by hardhead catfish and Atlantic croakers which often frequent the same waters.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>There are times when the older, larger fish are more readily caught on a half or a quarter of a\u00a0blue crab with the top shell removed and cut or broken to fit on a 4\/0 to 9\/0 hook. This type of fishing is often combined with\u00a0chumming<\/a>, a baiting practice that involves scattering bits of fish parts and blood into the water as an attractant.[12]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Sometimes black drum are caught on spoons and jigs.<\/p>\n

Black drum are reported to mouth a natural bait, so anglers need to wait a few seconds before setting the hook.[13]<\/a><\/sup>Once a big adult drum grabs the bait, it takes off with gusto, and can put up quite a fight. An unsecured rod can easily be pulled into the water. Landing these big fish on light tackle can be challenging, and since drum are primarily scent-based feeders, there is little disadvantage in using heavier line and tackle. A 40-lb braided line with a comparable weight fluorocarbon leader is a good compromise between castability and strength. However, big drum are frequently caught with everything from 8-lb monofilament to 100-lb braided lines with heavy steel leaders.<\/p>\n

\"Floyd,<\/a>
Floyd, Black Drum, Black Drum, April 7, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An effective strategy for fishing from a boat is to select a spot with a sandy bottom or oyster bed where food is plentiful at a time of day with some tidal movement. Pier or bank fishing should target jetties, structure, or a boat channel near a rapid increase in depth and some tidal movement.<\/p>\n

With stout tackle, black drum above 10\u00a0lb are relatively easy for children to catch because they are not particularly skittish and do not easily come off once they are hooked. Because bigger drum can make a long, strong run right after taking the bait, preventing broken line often requires a relatively light drag setting early in the fight.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>
Black Drum caught in Blind Pass on Sanibel & Captiva charters!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One researcher reported good success with\u00a0trotline<\/a>\u00a0fishing techniques, which he used to catch a large sample of the black drum for tagging and scientific study.[14]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Some states, such as Texas (as of summer 2017), allow spearfishing for black drum which often frequent jetties and other nearshore structure. Check locally to see if spearing black drum is legal in your area.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>
Black Drum caught in Blind Pass on Sanibel & Captiva charters!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Black drum are edible, with a moderate flavor and are not oily. Some restaurants in the southern US serve smaller black drum. A big drum can be challenging to clean; removing the large scales is a challenge. Many fishermen prefer to fillet with an electric knife, first removing the fillet from along the backbone, and then using the electric knife to cut the fillet from the skin and scales. Fish over 15\u00a0lb can become tough and have a consistency comparable with chicken, rather than the flaky texture of many species of fish. Younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor from the red drum<\/a>.[15]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0”\u00a0<\/sup>Please see more information here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Please click here to\u00a0Book A Charter<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or call\u00a0239-472-8658 <\/strong>and here for\u00a0Live Sanibel Traffic Cams<\/a>. <\/strong>\u00a0Redfish, Click\u00a0here for\u00a0College Of Fishing\u00a0Hats & Apparel<\/a><\/strong>.We\u2019re located at Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"Blackdrum,<\/a>
Black drum, 6-9-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned with sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

We would appreciate if you like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Fair winds and following seas,<\/p>\n

Captain Joey Burnsed ~\u00a0please click calendar<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0at the upper right or call\u00a0239-472-8658<\/strong>\u00a0to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Black<\/a>
Black Drum caught in Blind Pass on Sanibel & Captiva charters!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, January 1, 2018: Black Drum. Captiva Fishing Report, Monday, January 1: Black Drum, Catch & Release;\u00a0Red Tide Report (Caloosahatchee freshwater runoff impact continuing to lessen a bit; some Red Tide but it is broken up and largely dispersed); more fishing reports from other areas and Captains below. Monday, January 1:\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5396,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-image"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13221"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20001,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13221\/revisions\/20001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}