Abundance
Not Overfished
Fishing Mortality
Overfishing Not Occuring
Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) hold a special place in DelMarVa surf-fishing history, with the world-record fish caught from the surf off Cape Henlopen, Delaware, in 1975. Unlike the explosive strike of some game fish, a Black Drum may take a bait slowly and deliberately, but once hooked, it fights fiercely in the surf, using its tremendous weight, powerful body, and the currents and waves to resist being landed. A large drum can turn what initially feels like a slow, heavy pull into a prolonged battle in the breakers.
Black Drum are regular visitors to the Mid-Atlantic coast, with some of the best surf-fishing opportunities occurring during their spring migration. Large adults move into the coastal waters, inlets, and bays of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware as water temperatures rise. These fish commonly reach impressive sizes, with large adults exceeding 50 pounds and exceptional fish surpassing 100 pounds, making the Black Drum one of the true heavyweights of DelMarVa surf fishing.
The Black Drum is a heavy-bodied fish with a high, arched back and coloration ranging from silvery gray to dark gray or nearly black. Juvenile fish are particularly distinctive, displaying several dark vertical bars along their sides that gradually fade with age. One of the species’ most recognizable features is the cluster of short barbels beneath the chin, which help the fish locate clams, crabs, worms, and other prey buried in or moving along the bottom.
Black Drum occur along much of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, but they have a particularly strong connection to the waters surrounding DelMarVa. Their seasonal movements through the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and along the Atlantic beaches create one of the region’s classic spring fisheries. And with the largest Black Drum ever recorded coming from the Delaware surf, there is always the possibility that the next slow pull on a bait could be something extraordinary.
Fishing Seasons
The months when Black Drum are active in the Delaware surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and their seasonal migration. In the spring, large Black Drum begin moving north along the coast and into Delaware waters, with April and May providing some of the best opportunities from the surf. As waters continue to warm, many fish move into Delaware Bay, where they spend much of the late spring and summer feeding. Their presence along the ocean beaches becomes less consistent during the summer months, although smaller fish may remain in the region. Black Drum may again appear along the coast as waters cool in the fall, but the spring migration is the premier season for targeting large fish from the Delaware surf. Spring bait selection should focus on the bottom-dwelling foods Black Drum naturally seek, particularly Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, and Shrimp, with fresh clam being one of the traditional baits for large Delaware Black Drum.
Surf fishing has a long history in Delaware, with the world-record Black Drum caught from the surf at Cape Henlopen in 1975. Large Black Drum are a prized spring catch along the Delaware coast as migrating fish move through the region. Delaware permits Over-Sand Vehicle access in designated areas with the appropriate permit, providing anglers access to miles of productive surf and some of the classic Black Drum fishing waters of DelMarVa.
Recreational fishing for Black Drum is regulated in Delaware so make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
The months when Black Drum are active in the Assateague Island, MD surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and migration patterns. In the spring, Black Drum begin moving north along the coast, with April and May providing some of the best opportunities to encounter large fish from the Assateague surf. As waters continue to warm, many fish move into the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay systems and other estuarine waters, and their presence along the ocean beaches becomes less consistent during the summer. Black Drum may again appear along the coast as water temperatures cool in the fall, but the spring migration is the premier season for targeting large fish from the Assateague surf. Bait selection should focus on the bottom-dwelling foods Black Drum naturally seek, particularly Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, and Shrimp, with fresh clam being one of the traditional baits for large spring Black Drum.
Assateague Island, Maryland, located just south of the Ocean City Inlet, is famous for its wild horses and has a long history as a Mid-Atlantic surf-fishing destination. While perhaps best known for Red Drum, large Black Drum are landed from the Assateague surf each spring, as migrating fish move north along the DelMarVa coast. The island is largely undeveloped, offering miles of open shoreline and excellent opportunities to target these powerful fish. Assateague allows Over-Sand Vehicles (OSVs) in designated areas with the appropriate permit, providing anglers access to remote stretches of beach and making the island one of DelMarVa’s classic destinations for Black Drum surf fishing.
Recreational fishing for Black Drum is regulated in Maryland, make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
The months when Black Drum are active in the Assateague Virginia surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and migration patterns. In the spring, Black Drum begin moving north along the coast, with April and May providing some of the best opportunities to encounter large fish from the surf. As waters continue to warm, many fish move into Chincoteague Bay, the Chesapeake Bay, and other Mid-Atlantic estuarine waters, and their presence along the ocean beaches becomes less consistent during the summer. Black Drum may again appear along the coast as water temperatures cool in the fall, but the spring migration is the premier season for targeting large fish from the Assateague Virginia surf. Bait selection should focus on the bottom-dwelling foods Black Drum naturally seek, particularly Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, and Shrimp, with fresh clam being one of the traditional baits for large spring Black Drum.
Assateague Island, Virginia, located east of Chincoteague Island, is well known for its wild ponies and the annual Pony Swim and has a long history as a DelMarVa surf-fishing destination. While the island has traditionally been famous for Red Drum, large Black Drum also move along the Assateague surf during their spring migration, providing anglers an opportunity to hook one of the largest fish encountered from the beach. The Virginia portion of Assateague allows Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) access in designated areas with the appropriate permit, providing access to remote stretches of shoreline and some of the classic Black Drum surf-fishing waters of DelMarVa.
Recreational fishing for Black Drum is regulated in Virginia, make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
The months when Black Drum are active in the Back Bay, VA surf are closely tied to the fish’s water temperature tolerance, shown below, and their migration patterns. In the spring, Black Drum begin moving north along the Virginia coast, with April and May providing some of the best opportunities to encounter large fish from the surf as they migrate toward the Chesapeake Bay and points north. Their presence along the ocean beaches becomes less consistent as waters warm during the summer, although smaller Black Drum may remain in the region. Fish may again appear along the coast as water temperatures cool in the fall, but the spring migration provides the best opportunity for targeting large Black Drum from the Back Bay surf. Bait selection should focus on the bottom-dwelling foods Black Drum naturally seek, particularly Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, and Shrimp, with fresh clam being one of the traditional baits for large spring Black Drum.
Located just south of Sandbridge, a quiet coastal neighborhood located in the southern part of the city of Virginia Beach, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge hosts miles of fishable beach all the way to the North Carolina Border. Remote, and only accessible on foot, this location is well known for big Black Drum starting in mid April and continuing through late May. It is a National Wildlife Refuge to make sure to get a permit before heading out.
Recreational fishing for Black Drum is regulated in Virginia, make sure to review the state fishing regulations for seasons, creel and size limits before you head out.
Migration
Black Drum migrate northward along the Atlantic coast in the spring as water temperatures rise, moving from deeper wintering waters into the coastal waters, inlets, bays, and estuaries of the Mid-Atlantic. This spring migration brings some of the largest adult fish within reach of DelMarVa surf anglers before many continue into the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and other estuarine waters to feed during the warmer months.
Unlike Red Drum, which spawn primarily during late summer and fall, Black Drum spawn during the spring. Spawning generally occurs in bays and estuaries, with the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays providing important spawning habitat in the Mid-Atlantic. Black Drum also live up to their name: during the spawning season, males produce a deep drumming sound by contracting specialized muscles against the swim bladder. Large groups of spawning fish can produce remarkably loud underwater choruses.
As spring gives way to summer, many of the large adults move away from the immediate surf zone and disperse through coastal and estuarine waters. With cooling water temperatures in the fall, Black Drum begin their seasonal movement southward and toward deeper coastal waters, completing an annual migration that brings these powerful fish past the DelMarVa beaches each spring.
Water Temperature Tolerance
Bait
Sand Flea/Mole Crab
Arriving in the Mid-Atlantic in the early spring, these small crustaceans are a favorite food of Black Drum. Wave action exposes and washes Sand Fleas into the surf, creating an easy meal for migrating drum as they move along the DelMarVa coast. Black Drum use powerful pharyngeal teeth located in the throat to crush Sand Fleas and other hard-shelled prey, making them an excellent natural bait. Available throughout the spring, summer, and fall, Sand Fleas can often be collected directly from the beach by digging or raking through the sand beneath retreating waves.
Crabs
Crabs, particularly blue and green crabs, are a favorite food of Black Drum and can be especially effective during the spring and early summer. Black Drum are well adapted for feeding on crabs and other hard-shelled prey, using powerful crushing plates and pharyngeal teeth in the throat to break them apart. Fresh crab is best, although frozen bait will work in a pinch. Remove the shell to release more scent into the water and cut larger crabs in half to conserve bait while still providing a substantial offering. Crab works well on either a High/Low or Fish Finder Rig. I use bait thread to secure the crab to the hook, helping it stay in place longer and survive a distance cast.
Clams
Clams are a year-round favorite for Black Drum and one of the classic baits for targeting large fish during the spring migration. Fresh or salted and frozen, clams closely match the shellfish Black Drum naturally search for along the bottom using their sensitive chin barbels. A Fish Finder Rig or the bottom hook of a High/Low Rig provides an excellent presentation. Use a full clam, or as much clam as the hook can reasonably hold, to create a large, scent-rich offering capable of attracting a feeding drum. I use bait thread to secure the soft clam meat to the hook, helping it stay in place longer and survive the distance cast often required when fishing the DelMarVa surf.
Shrimp
Rounding out our crustaceans is shrimp, another excellent bait for Black Drum. An all-around productive bait for many species in the surf, shrimp—both fresh and frozen—is worth keeping in your bait cooler. Remove the shell and hard tail section to expose more scent and make the bait easier for the fish to take. On a Fish Finder Rig, place the entire shrimp on the hook for a larger presentation, or use smaller pieces on a High/Low Rig. I use bait thread to secure the shrimp to the hook, helping the soft bait stay in place longer and survive a distance cast.
Rigs
The Fish Finder Rig is probably the most popular rig for Black Drum. The rig keeps the bait on the bottom, where Black Drum use their sensitive chin barbels to locate Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, Shrimp, and other bottom-dwelling prey. Set your reel drag very low so the fish can pick up the bait and move off without immediately feeling heavy resistance. Black Drum have powerful mouths, and circle hooks in the 6/0 to 8/0 range work well when targeting larger fish with clam or other substantial baits. The Fish Finder Rig is generally easy to cast with a short snell and will hold up well in moderately heavy currents, though a Sputnik sinker can sometimes become tangled with the hook or leader in very heavy current. When targeting large Black Drum, use tackle, leader, hooks, and terminal components strong enough to handle a fish that can weigh well over 50 pounds.
The High/Low Rig, or Dropper Loop Rig, is one of the most versatile surf-fishing rigs for Black Drum. If made by hand, you can adjust the distance between the bottom and top hooks to present baits at slightly different positions above the bottom. The ability to fish two different baits simultaneously makes this rig particularly useful when Black Drum are feeding on a variety of natural foods. A clam on one hook and Sand Fleas or crab on the other can provide an excellent combination for a feeding Black Drum. The rig is easy to cast, holds bottom well, and works with a Sputnik sinker when heavier currents require additional holding power. If fishing more than one rod, having a High/Low Rig in the water alongside a Fish Finder Rig provides two different presentations for targeting Black Drum.
The Bottom Rig with a three-way swivel, with or without a float, is similar to the Fish Finder Rig except that the leader and sinker are fixed in place at the swivel. The snell is generally kept short, around 3 to 6 inches, keeping Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, or other baits close to the bottom where Black Drum naturally feed. A float can be added to raise the bait slightly above the sand and help keep it away from crabs and other bait stealers. This is a classic surf-fishing rig that has been around for generations and remains simple, reliable, effective, and easy to tie, making it a good choice for targeting Black Drum in the DelMarVa surf.
Tactics
Black Drum can grow to tremendous sizes, and there is always the possibility that the next slow pull on your bait is a fish weighing 50 pounds or more. Spring is the prime time for these giants in the DelMarVa surf, and while sunrise and sunset can be productive, migrating Black Drum can be caught throughout the day when conditions are right. The periods around a changing tide can be particularly productive as moving water exposes Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, and other bottom-dwelling prey. Place your baits in the sloughs, cuts, and along the inside or outside edges of sandbars, where feeding drum can move through with the current. Unlike Red Drum, there is little reason to match migrating baitfish; concentrate instead on presenting a generous portion of Clam, Crab, Sand Fleas, or Shrimp directly on or just above the bottom. If you hook a large Black Drum, be patient and let your rod and drag do much of the work. These heavy fish use their broad bodies, the current, and breaking waves to resist being landed. Don’t try to muscle a big drum through the surf. Maintain steady pressure, give the fish line when it makes a run, and be especially careful as it reaches the shore break, where a wave and the weight of a large fish can put tremendous pressure on your leader and hook.
Slough
Sloughs, sometimes called troughs, are the deeper water between sandbars. Black Drum will use these deeper areas to move along the beach while searching the bottom for Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, Shrimp, and other prey. There may be several sloughs off the beach, with the first beginning immediately behind the shore break and additional sloughs occurring between each sandbar. Often we can only see the first sandbar, while the outer bars remain hidden beneath the water. They are there. Place your bait near the middle of the slough, along the inside or outside edge of a sandbar, or just behind the shore break where food is being uncovered by the waves and current. As you build your distance-casting skills, work the second slough and outer sandbars as well, particularly when targeting larger Black Drum moving along the beach.
Rip Current
The Rip Current may be one of the most productive structures for Black Drum along the DelMarVa sandy beaches. A cut in the sandbars allows water to funnel back toward the sea, carrying Clams, Sand Fleas, Crabs, and other bottom-dwelling food disturbed by the surf. The head at the seaward end of the rip, the shoulders where the current passes through the sandbars, and the deeper water within the rip itself are all good places to present bait. Work these different parts of the rip until you locate the route Black Drum are using as they move along the bottom searching for food.
Length to Weight
Ever wonder how much that fish weighed after you’ve caught, measured and released it. Here’s a helpful dashboard for looking up your fish’s weight based on its length.
“He said to them, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
John 21:6
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Tackle Shops
Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle
Family owned and operated, this is the best bait and tackle shop when you’re fishing the Virginia Side of Assateague Island. Fresh in season bait as well as plenty of frozen bait, a full inventory of surf fishing tackle and brand name rods and reels.
Sea Hawk Sports Center
Located on Rout 13 in Pocomoke, MD just before the Virginia state line, this family owned and operated bait and tackle is a great stop on your way to Assateague Island, VA. Fresh in season bait as well as plenty of frozen bait, a full inventory of surf fishing tackle and brand name rods and reels.
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