The Black Drum is characterized by his darker grey (striped when younger) top half with a white underside and "feeler" barbels present at the lower jaw. They have a higher profile than most in the croaker family, with a more prominately sloped forehead and a rounded beak.

These fish are found along the surf and the mouths of rivers, but do roam the hard bottom shallows when smaller. The larger fish prefer the deeper water of cuts, channels and the rough waters of the surf.

Live shrimp crab or dead shrimp and cut crab make for the best natural bait, while not readily fished with artificials, jigs in deep water and streamers or jigs in the shallows will give the best results.