Black
Drum reach a maximum size of just over 100 pounds
but the "bulls" usually range in the
25 to 40 pound range. They have deep bodies with
4 or 5 broad black bars on their sides. Black
Drum feed on a variety of things, such as, small
fish, crustaceans, and oysters. They can be found
over sand or mud bottoms on shallow water flats.
These fish are know for their great fighting ability,
they they just don't seem to give up.
Black
drum are related to the redfish. They school up
in the winter months where they move into shallow
water to feed on the small shrimp, and crabs.
Just like the redfish black drum will root around
and tail in skinny water looking for food. Schools
of 500 fish are found inside the Mosquito Lagoon
during the winter months. Anglers are able to
sight fish the brutes on light tackle. Through
out the summer months the bull drum move into
deeper water around the bridges and channels.
Understanding
the feeding mechanism of drum enables you to fish
more effectively for them. These bottom explorers
move along the bottom in search of food. Despite
their huge size, records being over 100 pounds,
these creatures can bite with what feels like
the a slight nudge and can remove a bait with
scarcely a bend in the rod, particularly when
using shrimp as bait. Like most of the fish we
target, black drum will bite more aggressively
on some days then others. . Anglers traditionally
sight fish the schools of black drum tailing just
like a redfish.
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