Black Drum part3

Natural Baits for Black Drum

Natural baits are by far the most effective method of catching Black drum. These large bruiser fish are generally slow-moving, searching the estuarine floor for snails, clams, crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrate critters within shallow seagrass beds and inshore channels. To find these prey, they rely more heavily on their excellent senses of smell and taste, using of course their noses, but also those unique chin barbels for the taste.

Although some of their favorite food items such as snails may not be widely available, there are plenty of effective natural baits to choose from, either live or frozen.

The Best Baits for Black Drum

The best baits for Black drum include many of the species they naturally prey upon. To make it even better for them, crack open these critters – such as the crabs – to release more scent into the water for more action. All of the following baits are easily available either live or frozen from most coastal bait shops.

Blue Crabs

Probably the best bait for big Black drum, especially the tailing fish in the flats, is a small and lively blue crab. For deeper fish in those shipping channels, or in the dark backwaters and residential canals, break the crab either in two, or in quarters if it is a big one, for more action, as this will release an overload of smell and taste into the water for Black drum to find.

Shrimp

Shrimp works wonders for Black drum in almost all circumstances. On the flats, cast live shrimp into the school of tailing fish and hold on, it won’t last very long! In deep channels and backwaters, shrimp are also top baits, because even the live ones give off a pungent odor a Black drum can recognize. If you’re not getting bites however, try pinching the tail or the head to release more scent into the water, or break the last section of the tail, and then use it as chum.

Clams

Clams are not only one of the Black drum’s favorite meals, they are also one of the smelliest baits you can use. A clam is like candy for drum, because you’ve already done the hard work for them – they don’t have to crack the hard shell to get to the good stuff. Clams work great especially in those deep channels and backwaters.

Mussels

Also very pungent, mussels are great baits for Black drum as well. Similarly, you’ve already done the hard work for the fish, as it won’t have to crack the hard shell to get to the mussel. Mussels can be used in deep channels and backwaters, where the fish will be relying mostly on scent and taste.

Other Baits That Will Catch Black Drum

Other baits for Black drum include: Big fiddler crabs, mud crabs, calico crabs, or any smelly bait such as squid. Whatever the bait chosen, try cracking it open a bit if the bites are lacking to release more scent into the water.