Pogonias cromis

drum, sea drum, common drum, oyster cracker, banded drum, butterfly drum, banded drum

salt

The scientific name of the black drum is derived from the Greek words pogonias, meaning "bearded," and cromis, "to grunt" — and for good reason. The species has conspicuous chin barbels and utters a loud grunting sound when excited. Adults have dusky to black fins and are silver with a brassy luster in life, changing to dark gray after death. Young drum possess 4 to 6 black vertical bars, and may be misidentified as juveniles of closely related species.

The preferred habitat is coastal waters including bays, sounds, and inlets where salinities range from near fresh to sea strength. They are commonly found near bridges, piers and other manmade structures.

Black drum feed on the bottom, aided in their search for food by the chin barbels that serve as feelers. Food items include clams, mussels, oysters, crabs, worms, and some fishes. Strong throat teeth, pharyngeals, are capable of crushing shells of clams, oysters, and crabs to make them easier to digest.

Sexual maturity is attained by the end of the second year when fish are about 12 inches long. Adults form schools and, in the spring, migrate to spawning grounds which are at sea near mouths of rivers and bays. A large fish may lay 6 million eggs. Although the species is known to live for 35 years, most of the fish caught are 10 years old or younger. A 1-year-old black drum is about 9 inches long and weighs half a pound; a 5-year-old may grow to 34 inches and 19 pounds; and a 10-year-old is approximately 49 inches long and weighs 59 pounds.

Sport fishing on the East Coast is localized and seasonal. The Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and tidal waters of Georgia and Florida are all good fishing areas from May through Labor Day.

Fish enter estuaries to feed on a rising tide, and then leave as the tide drops. Best fishing occurs when the tide is about a half to three-quarters out. Anglers either cast slow-sinking mirror-sided lures or bump the bottom with fast-sinking spoons, bucktails, or nylon jigs. Preferred natural baits are crabs, cut fish, clams, and shrimp. Ocean spinners and bait-casting outfits with 15- to 20-pound monofilament line are ideal rigged with 2/0 to 4/0 hooks and a medium-weight sinker.

The flesh is white, flaky, and easily separated from the large bones. Drum are most often cooked in soups and chowders.