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Caught a Black Drum Inshore in Port OConnor
Black Drum Inshore in Port O'Connor
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The Black Drum belongs to the order Perciformes and family Sciaenidae. It typically weighs between 15 to 90 lbs when fully grown. - Largest member of the drum family with nearly 300 related species. - Known for distinctive drumming or croaking sounds they produce. - Powerful jaws with crushing teeth for feeding on shellfish and oysters.
Guided Fishing Trip by Guide Capt Stephen Boriskie in December
Meet your Guide Capt Stephen Boriskie
- Port O’Connor inshore fishing, floundering, ducks
Summary
Guide Capt Stephen Boriskie of Mid Coast Outfitters POC on Saturday November offers productive inshore fishing around Port O'Connor's brackish waters. This extended half day fishing charter targets black drum, redfish, and speckled trout using drift fishing and live bait techniques. The six-hour trip runs from 7am to 1pm, accommodating up to four anglers with optional spots for additional guests. All gear is provided including rods, reels, and tackle, with live bait available at market price. Port O'Connor's inshore waters stay productive year-round thanks to varied structure and depths that support multiple species. Whether you're a beginner or experienced angler, these guided trips deliver consistent results in some of Texas's most reliable fishing grounds.
Fishing Charter with Capt Stephen Boriskie – Rates & Booking
Guide Capt Stephen Boriskie of Mid Coast Outfitters POC on Saturday November runs extended half day charters targeting black drum, redfish, and speckled trout in Port O'Connor's productive inshore waters. The six-hour trip accommodates 1-4 anglers from 7am to 1pm, with optional spots for a 5th or 6th guest at $125 each. All fishing gear is included—rods, reels, and tackle—with live bait available at market price when conditions allow. This licensed guide brings local knowledge of Port O'Connor's structure and seasonal patterns, making it ideal for families, beginners, and experienced anglers looking for consistent action.
Highlights of Port O'Connor Inshore Fishing Charter for Speckled Trout, Redfish and Black Drum
Port O'Connor's inshore waters offer excellent variety with black drum, redfish, and speckled trout all within reach during a single trip. The extended half day format provides six full hours on the water, giving anglers time to work different techniques like drift fishing and bottom fishing. Clear conditions and calm waters make this area perfect for targeting multiple species as you move between shallow flats and deeper structure.
The trip uses proven techniques including live bait fishing and drift fishing to consistently produce results. Port O'Connor's brackish waters and varied depths create ideal habitat for these popular inshore species, with black drum often found around oyster reefs and structure where they feed on shellfish and crabs.
Local Species Insights: Black Drum
Black drum thrive in Port O'Connor's brackish waters, using their powerful jaws and crushing teeth to feed on oysters, crabs, and shellfish around structure. These fish are the largest members of the drum family, known for the distinctive drumming sounds they make. In November, black drum often concentrate around oyster reefs and deeper channels where they can access their preferred prey. Their strong fight and size make them a favorite target for anglers, especially when using bottom fishing techniques with crab or shrimp baits near structure.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
The extended half day charter includes a fully equipped boat with all necessary fishing gear, rods, reels, and tackle provided by your guide. Live bait is available at market price when conditions permit, though artificial lures work well too. The trip runs six hours from 7am to 1pm, giving you plenty of time to target multiple species using different techniques. Safety equipment is provided, and the captain adjusts the itinerary based on weather and water conditions to ensure productive fishing and guest comfort.
Fishing in Port O'Connor: Black Drum
The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) is the largest member of the Sciaenidae family, which includes nearly 300 species of drums and croakers. These powerful fish are distinguished by their dark coloration, robust build, and the distinctive drumming sounds they produce using specialized muscles. In Port O'Connor waters this November, black drum are commonly found around oyster reefs and structure where they use their crushing jaws to feed on shellfish, crabs, and other bottom-dwelling prey.
Black Drum Overview
Black drum are prized by anglers for their impressive size, strong fighting ability, and year-round availability in Texas coastal waters. These fish can live over 40 years and are known for their intelligence and wariness, making them a challenging and rewarding target species. Their ability to produce audible drumming sounds gives them their common name and helps anglers locate schools.
Black Drum Habitat and Distribution
Black drum inhabit brackish and saltwater environments along the Gulf Coast, with Port O'Connor's mix of bays, channels, and nearshore waters providing ideal habitat. They prefer areas with oyster reefs, jetties, and other hard structure where their preferred prey congregates. These fish move between shallow flats and deeper channels based on tides, temperature, and feeding opportunities.
Black Drum Size and Weight
Adult black drum typically range from 15 to 90 pounds, with fish over 50 pounds considered trophy-class. The largest specimens can exceed 100 pounds and measure over 4 feet in length. Younger fish under 30 inches are often called "puppy drum" and provide excellent table fare, while larger fish are typically released to preserve the breeding population.
Black Drum Diet and Behavior
Black drum are bottom feeders with powerful pharyngeal teeth designed for crushing hard-shelled prey. Their diet consists primarily of oysters, clams, crabs, shrimp, and marine worms. They feed most actively during moving tides when prey is stirred up, often in shallow water where their dark backs can be seen as they root through the bottom.
Black Drum Spawning Season
Black drum spawn in nearshore waters from February through May, with peak activity occurring when water temperatures reach the mid-60s to low 70s. During spawning season, large schools gather in deeper channels and passes, creating excellent fishing opportunities for anglers targeting trophy-sized fish.
Black Drum Fishing Techniques
Bottom fishing with natural baits produces the most consistent results for black drum. Fresh or frozen shrimp, blue crab, and cut mullet work well, especially when fished near oyster reefs and structure. Circle hooks help ensure proper hooksets and reduce deep hooking. In November around Port O'Connor, anglers find success using drift fishing techniques over shell beds and working live bait around channel edges during moving tides.
Black Drum Is It Good to Eat?
Smaller black drum under 30 inches provide excellent table fare with firm, white meat and mild flavor. Larger fish tend to have coarser texture and may contain parasites, so most anglers release trophy-sized drum. The meat is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and works well grilled, blackened, or in fish tacos when properly prepared.
Black Drum Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for black drum?
A: Fresh shrimp, blue crab, and cut mullet are top choices. Black drum have excellent senses of smell and taste, so fresh natural baits work better than artificials.
Q: Where can I find black drum near Port O'Connor?
A: Look for oyster reefs, channel edges, and jetties where black drum feed on shellfish. They often move into shallow flats during high tide to access oyster beds.
Q: Is black drum good to eat?
A: Smaller black drum under 30 inches are excellent table fare with mild, firm white meat. Larger fish are typically released due to coarser texture and potential parasites.
Q: When is the best time to catch black drum?
A: Moving tides produce the best action, especially during cooler months when black drum feed more aggressively. Early morning and late afternoon often provide peak activity.
More species you can explore on this trip
Mid Coast Outfitters POC Available Trips
Other customer memories from this trip
Ready for some extended fishing action in Port O'Connor? This 6-hour trip gives you plenty of time to cast lines and soak up the coastal scenery. We'll head out at 7am and fish until 1pm, hitting prime spots for inshore species. The boat comfortably fits up to 4 anglers, with room to add 2 more if you've got a bigger group. Don't worry about gear - your captain provides quality rods, reels and tackle. Live bait can be arranged when available (just pay market price). It's a great option if you want more fishing time than a quick half-day, but can't commit to a full 8 hours on the water. Perfect for families, friends, or anyone looking to maximize their chances of reeling in some good catches. You'll get to experience more of Port O'Connor's rich fishing grounds and increase your odds of landing that trophy fish.
