Both CoastsEast CoastFresh WaterWest Coast Inland Inshore Offshore Rivers and Streams Surf Baitfish Carp Bait Chum Clam Crabs Crickets Cutbait Dough Balls Earthworms Flies Lures Sand Fleas Shrimp Squid Fish Name Family Water Avg. Size BaitfishBastardBillfishBlack BassBream / PerchCatfishCichlidCroakerDrumsFlounderGarGrouperGruntJackMackeral / TunaMisc. FreshwaterMulletPorgyPufferRays / SkatesReef FishSharkSnapperSnookStriped BassTooth And Spine Fresh Salt Coastal Waters - Deliciousness Technique Tackle Considered A Better Game Fish Than Dinner FareDecent PanfishEdible, But More Commonly Used As A BaitfishExcellentExcellent When SmallExcellent When Small .Larger Fish Have A Stronger Taste But Still Good.Excellent When Small / Large Can Be PoisonousExcellent When Small And Good When LargeGoodGood But Typically Not Eaten, Please Release For Others To EnjoyGood If SmokedGood PanfishGood When Small And Bled After CaughtGood, But More Commonly Used As A BaitfishNonePoorProtected And Not EatenUsed As Bait, Not As Table FareUsually Too Small To Eat, Very BonyVery GoodVery GoodVery Good. But Poisonous, Better To Not Bother With Bobber Casting Drifting Still Fishing Trolling Weights Baitcasting Cast Net Spinning Fly Tackle

Black Drum

AKA: Drum / Striped Drum Family: Croaker

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.

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