inshore

Black Drum

Pogonias cromis

Bigger cousin of redfish. Crab and shrimp on the bottom on incoming tide near structure. Spring spawning aggregations are eye-popping.

Preferred water temp50–80°F

Preferred depth5–50 ft

Peak monthsFeb, Mar, Apr

Holds onpasses, docks, oyster bars, channel edges

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 10 of 10 regulations

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–24″ TL (total length)

Slot 14-24" TL. One fish over 24" allowed per angler within bag. Hook/line, cast net, seine, spear, gig allowed.

FL Atlantic black drum: 5/day, 14-24" slot with 1 oversize.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day

5/person/day. No size limit in GA.

Georgia DNR.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ TL (total length)

10/person/day, 14" TL min, no more than 5 fish > 25".

NC DMF.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 14" TL min.

Alabama CNR-MRD.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 14" TL min.

Mississippi DMR.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 16″–27″ TL (total length)

Slot 16-27" TL, 5/person/day. 1 fish per day may exceed 27".

Louisiana DWF.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–24″ TL (total length)

Slot 14-24". 5/person; 1 per vessel may be over 24". State-water species.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 15 total / vessel / day
Slot: 14″–27″ TL (total length)

Slot 14-27" TL, 5/person/day, 15/vessel max.

SC DNR.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–30″ TL (total length)

Slot 14-30" TL, 5/person/day. 1 fish per day may exceed 52" (oversize).

Texas Parks & Wildlife.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–24″ TL (total length)

Slot 14-24" TL. One fish over 24" allowed per angler within bag.

FL Gulf black drum: 5/day, 14-24" slot with 1 oversize.