Where to Fish for Black Drum Today

The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.

Preferred conditions

Water temp: 55–85°F (ideal 72°F)
Tide: incoming
Moon: either
Depth: 2–40 ft
Active months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Best black drum conditions today

Sort Open harvest only

What anglers are reporting about black drum

From the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report, published May 27, 2026 · 46 days old — a newer report may be available.

Lower Bay

Deeper waters along channel edges are being targeted by anglers jigging with soft plastic jigs or by trolling with umbrella rigs down along the 30-foot edges. It is a good idea to place a few Drone spoons behind inline weights for the bluefish that are in the region. The steep channel edge of the Potomac from St. Georges Island to Piney Point, the lower Patuxent and the eastern side of the bay from Buoy 76 to Buoy 72 are worth exploring. Red and black drum are being found on the eastern side of the Bay from the Middle Grounds up past the Target Ship and Tangier Sound. Finding them on depth finders and dropping soft crab baits to them is the most popular way to fish.

Species mentioned: black drum, bluefish

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

Surf anglers are enjoying good fishing off the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Anglers fishing with large cut baits are catching large striped bass, red drum and bluefish. Most of the striped bass measure over the maximum slot size of 31 inches, but provide exciting catch-and-release action, as do the large red drum. Black drum are being caught on sand fleas and clams. At the Ocean City Inlet and Route 50 Bridge area, anglers are catching striped bass by casting soft plastic jigs and paddletails . A fair number of the striped bass being caught are falling within the 28-31 inch slot.

Species mentioned: black drum, bluefish, red drum, striped bass

Excerpts are anecdotal and reflect a single week's observations from DNR biologists and reporting anglers — not predictions. Use as one signal among many; verify against current conditions before planning a trip.