Where to fish for black drum
382 charters name black drum on their own website, across 148 towns in 1 state.
State records for black drum
The heaviest black drum each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 115 lb | — | 1978 | Kenneth Smithsource |
| New Jersey | 109 lb | Delaware Bay | 2008 | Nick Henrysource |
| North Carolina | 100.06 lb | Cape Fear River | 1998 | Charles R. Dycussource |
| Florida | 96 lb | Fernandina Beach | 2001 | James E. Cartwrightsource |
| Georgia | 92 lb | — | 2010 | John H. Thomas Jr.source |
| South Carolina | 89 lb | Port Royal | 1978 | W. P. Buquetsource |
| Louisiana | 79.5 lb | Oak Bayou | 2007 | Dylan Gonzalessource |
| Maryland | 79 lb | Bass Grounds | 1985 | Stanley Ilyessource |
| Mississippi | 70.31 lb | — | 2005 | Eddie Hansensource |
| Alabama | 61 lb | — | 2002 | Robert Dean Disneysource |
| New York | 58.56 lb | — | 9/13 | William Dittenhoefer Jr., Baldwin, NYsource |
| Texas | 36.63 lb | Nueces River | 2009 | Filip Spencersource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state 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.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 1,189 released against 784 kept — more put back than taken, which is what a closed season or a tight limit looks like. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
- 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
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.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Statewide
Gulf and Atlantic state waters.
- All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
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.