Pogonias cromis
Florida fishing guide
Use this page to plan a Florida black drum trip: when they bite, where to find them, what bait and tackle to use, current regulation notes, and live tide, weather, pressure, and solunar forecasts for nearby FishSonar locations.
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Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Year-round, peak fall and spring. Winter spawning aggregations.
Live crab on light jig heads. Shrimp. Fish tight to oyster bars and structure.
14" minimum, 5 fish/day.
Similar to sheepshead — fish oyster bars and structure. Fish on incoming tide near structure.
Curated picks for Black Drum fishing in Florida
Quartered blue crab is the single most effective black drum bait in Florida.
Big black drum cruise the bottom for crabs — cut crab gets eaten fast.
Heavy-gauge circle hook for big drum fishing near structure.
Black drum over 30lb are common — use hardware that matches the fish.
All-metal body spinning reel with 17lb drag for big bottom fish.
Drum don't run far but they pull hard — you need reliable drag.
Simple bottom rig with shrimp or oyster — works well for smaller slot drum.
Smaller black drum respond well to shrimp when crabs aren't available.
12 spots tracked — click any for tides, weather & local tips
