What's Biting FL
Big Bend and Nature Coast

Black Drum in Big Bend and Nature Coast

Black Drum
Pogonias cromis · Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0

Crabs and clams on bottom around bridges, oyster bars and deep channel edges. Big spawners show in late winter.

Next three days

DayBiteWhy
Sun, Sep 135New Moon feeding boost. Light wind. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 3.6 ft
Mon, Sep 144Light wind. Heat, fish early or late. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 3.8 ft
Tue, Sep 153Breezy 18 mph. Heat, fish early or late. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 3.8 ft

Seasonal pattern

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Editorial baseline for Florida. Green months are prime, yellow fair, red slow. Preferred water temperature 50–80°F.

Regulations that apply here

Applies to: Gulf and Atlantic State Waters

Species / zoneSeasonSizeBagNotes
Black Drum
Statewide
open now
Open year-round
Slot Limit: 14-24" with one fish over 24"Daily Bag Limit: 5 per harvester per day (can include one over 24")Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. Illegal Gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; Snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Source: FWC, extracted 2026-09-12.

See all Black Drum rules statewide.