Black Drum

Black Drum Fishing in Florida

Black drum, the largest of the drum species, are inshore bottom dwellers of bays, river mouths and lagoons, often found around oyster beds, docks and bridge pilings. FWC sets a 14 to 24 inch slot that allows one fish over 24 inches.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 96.00 lb Fernandina Beach · April 12, 2001 · James E. Cartwright

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

How big black drum run

Federal interviewers measured 733 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 13.3–22 inches, with a median of 15.9 inches. More were put back than kept — 1,189 released against 784 landed — which is what a closed season or a tight limit looks like in the numbers.

  • North Carolina15.7" median, 271 measured
  • Florida17" median, 169 measured
  • Mississippi14.4" median, 155 measured

NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.

About the fish

SizeUp to 67 inches
Where it livesBays, river mouths and lagoons, around oyster beds, docks and bridge pilings
What it eatsFish and invertebrates, including oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimp

FWC says black drum may live 35 years or more.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • One FWC rule set covers Gulf and Atlantic state waters, open year-round. Special regulations apply when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Statewide: when you can keep one

Gulf and Atlantic state waters.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
14 to 24 inches, plus one fish over 24 inchesSize limit
5 per harvester per dayDaily limit. The five can include one fish over 24 inches.

Gear rules

Legal gear is hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. Black drum cannot be harvested using any multiple hook with live or dead natural bait, and snatching is prohibited.

Questions about black drum

How many black drum can I keep?

Five per person per day, which can include one fish over 24 inches.

What size?

The slot is 14 to 24 inches, plus that one larger fish.

Is there a closed season?

No, FWC lists black drum as open year round.

Can I use treble hooks with cut bait?

Not to keep black drum. FWC says black drum cannot be harvested using any multiple hook with live or dead natural bait, and snatching is prohibited.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, black drum regulations and FWC, black drum profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.