Caught a Black Drum Inshore in Port OConnor

The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) belongs to the order Perciformes and family Sciaenidae, making it the largest member of this diverse family that includes nearly 300 species of drums and croakers. These distinctive fish are renowned for their powerful build, strong jaws equipped with crushing teeth, and their ability to produce repetitive drumming sounds that give them their common name. In Port O'Connor waters this November, black drum provide excellent inshore fishing opportunities for anglers targeting these hard-fighting fish.

Black Drum Overview

Black drum are robust, deep-bodied fish characterized by their dark gray to black coloration and distinctive barbels under their chin. As the largest members of the drum family, they're closely related to popular species like redfish but are distinguished by their more powerful build and crushing dentition. Anglers value black drum for their strong fighting ability and their willingness to take both live and cut baits in shallow inshore waters.

Black Drum Habitat and Distribution

These fish inhabit brackish waters, estuaries, and shallow inshore areas along the Gulf Coast, with Port O'Connor's waters providing ideal habitat. Black drum prefer areas with oyster reefs, shell beds, and muddy bottoms where they can easily locate their preferred prey. The combination of brackish water and abundant shellfish around Port O'Connor creates perfect conditions for healthy black drum populations year-round.

Black Drum Size and Weight

Black drum typically range from 15 to 90 pounds, with larger specimens becoming increasingly common in deeper waters. Juvenile black drum, often called "puppy drum," are more commonly caught in shallow inshore areas, while mature fish can reach impressive sizes. The fish caught in Port O'Connor waters represent the full size spectrum, from smaller inshore fish to trophy-sized specimens.

Black Drum Diet and Behavior

Black drum are bottom feeders that use their powerful jaws and crushing teeth to break open shellfish, crabs, and other hard-shelled prey. They actively feed on oysters, clams, blue crabs, and shrimp, making them perfectly adapted to the oyster-rich waters around Port O'Connor. These fish often feed in shallow water during incoming tides, creating excellent opportunities for sight fishing and bottom fishing techniques.

Black Drum Spawning Season

Black drum spawn in nearshore waters during late winter and early spring when water temperatures reach optimal levels. During spawning season, large schools of black drum gather in deeper waters before moving back to inshore areas to feed. This seasonal movement pattern makes fall and winter months particularly productive for inshore black drum fishing around Port O'Connor.

Black Drum Fishing Techniques

Successful black drum fishing relies on bottom fishing with cut bait, live bait, or fresh dead shrimp presented near oyster reefs and shell beds. Drift fishing allows anglers to cover more water while maintaining contact with the bottom where black drum feed. In November, anglers around Port O'Connor find success using circle hooks with cut mullet or fresh shrimp, allowing the bait to settle naturally near structure where black drum congregate.

Black Drum Is It Good to Eat?

Smaller black drum under 10 pounds offer excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's mild in flavor and low in fat. The meat has a slightly sweet taste and flakes easily when cooked, making it suitable for grilling, frying, or baking. Black drum are high in protein and contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, though larger fish may have coarser meat and are often released to preserve the breeding population.

Black Drum Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best bait for black drum?

A: Cut mullet, fresh dead shrimp, and blue crab are top choices. Black drum have excellent senses of smell and taste, so fresh bait works best when bottom fishing near oyster reefs.

Q: Where can I find black drum near Port O'Connor?

A: Look for black drum around oyster reefs, shell beds, and shallow flats with muddy bottoms. They often feed in 2-8 feet of water during incoming tides.

Q: Is black drum good to eat?

A: Smaller black drum under 10 pounds are excellent table fare with mild, white meat. Larger fish are often released due to coarser meat texture and conservation concerns.

Q: When is the best time to catch black drum?

A: Fall and winter months offer excellent black drum fishing, with fish actively feeding in shallow waters during incoming tides and overcast conditions.