Drum & Croaker (Sciaenidae)
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis
About the black drum
The black drum is the red drum's larger, darker cousin. These bottom feeders are known for their powerful runs and the distinctive 'drumming' sound they make. Smaller black drum (under 15 lbs) are excellent eating, while larger 'bull drums' are typically released.
- inshore
- bottom feeder
- drum
- spring run
Where to find them
Piers that report black drum
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Surfside Pier
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Apache Pier
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Cherry Grove Pier
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Springmaid Pier
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Garden City Pier
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Second Avenue Pier
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
Pier 14
Biting- Months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
South Carolina rules
Keeping black drum
Black Drum
saltwater- Minimum size
- 14"
- Maximum size
- 27"
- Daily bag limit
- 5
- Closed season
- None
TL
Slot limit: 14–27" TL
Summarized from SCDNR. Limits change — confirm before you keep a fish at the SCDNR source.