Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Black Drum in Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Crabs and clams on bottom around bridges, oyster bars and deep channel edges. Big spawners show in late winter.
Next three days
| Day | Bite | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Sep 13 | 5 | New Moon feeding boost. Light wind. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Mon, Sep 14 | 4 | Light wind. Heat, fish early or late. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Tue, Sep 15 | 3 | Rain likely 75%. Heat, fish early or late. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
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 / zone | Season | Size | Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.