Fish of the Day Black Drum!

The Black Drum a saltwater fish that is the less desirable target for anglers and the cousin of the redfish.  Black Drum that are caught range in the 5-30lb range but have been caught close to 113lbs, the current world record. Black and gray in color with rounded teeth and powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish make them a serious contender inshore and offshore. When fishing for the Black Drum the smaller ones are the best to keep and the larger ones should be released.

Black drum are bottom feeders caught with bait either on the bottom or suspended within a couple feet of the bottom. Shrimp, squid, and blue crabs are the most reliable baits. The recommend hook size is the 4/0 to 9/0 hook.  You will occasionally pick up a Black Drum on a twitch bait, spoon, or jig when fishing for other species.

Black drum is by some consider a bonus catch when fishing for other species; however the popularity has picked up over the last several years. Anglers usually catch Black Drum while fishing for something else but that is changing fast.  The best places to find black drum is around structure such as wood or rocks and grass lines around water covered oyster bars. Being fierce fighter and fun to fight a lot of Charter captain target the black drum for the action and the fight they provide clients on charters.

The Black Drum is abundant and spawn in the months of January through April and the female lay millions of eggs and usually spawn twice. The eggs are carried out with the tides and water flow and the small black drum with stay close inshore in the marshes and tidal areas until they grow to 1-10lbs.

Tide movement and fishing from  pier or bank fishing works as does boat fishing  focus on  jetties, structure,  channels where the water depths increase and decrease during tides. When fishing from a boat look for the same places that Redfish frequent, sandy bottom or oyster beds that have food and during the incoming and outgoing tide. If you want more information on Black Drum and secrets to catching or would like to just book a trip send us a email info@wahootackleandfishing.com

Tackle Box:

You will need 20- 40-lb braided line with a comparable weight fluorocarbon leader, and are caught with everything from 8-lb monofilament to 100-lb braided lines with heavy steel leaders when fishing. 4/0-7/0 hooks depending on the size of the fish, larger targeted fish may be recommended to use a smaller steel leader. A good bottom rig egg weight in a 1-4oz  range, leader 24-30 inch, 100lb, swivel with a Carolina style rigging with the egg weight above the swivel. Spoons gold or silver in ½ oz. range as well as ¼-1/2 oz. jigs with dead shrimp or Berkley Gulp Saltwater will also catch Black Drum. Offshore large schools you can catch with drop rigs with shrimp or Squid and rig accordingly. Rods recommend a 15-30 size rod in medium heavy to heavy action. 7ft to 7’6” length.

 Recipe: Black drum are very good table fare with a moderate flavor and are not oily. Some restaurants in the southern US serve smaller black drum. Best to fillet and remove the portion along the back bone. The Smaller fish taste like a redfish and are great  stay away from the larger fish.

 Ingredients

Black Puppy Drum Fish

Olive Oil

Pasture Butter

Lemon

Seasoning

Instructions

Season both sides of the black drum filets. I used Chef Paul's Seafood Magic.

Place your cast iron skillet on a medium to high heat, coating the bottom with olive oil and two tablespoons of butter.

Place the drum in the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes and flip. I squeeze lemon over the fish at this point.

Cook for another 5 minutes and flip again. Squeeze more lemon.

Cooking time is really contingent upon the thickness of the filets. Experience will be your guide. If need be take your metal spatula and cut into part of the filet to see if it is done.

Notes

Optional topping of shrimp, crabmeat, shallots and mushroom knock this dish out of the park, but remember the fish will speak for itself. I will wager Black Drum will become your favorite fish!

Recipe By Monica Bravo.