2. Natural bait is best. Black drum are sensory-oriented fish, relying more on their sense of smell and taste from their chin barbels than on sight. Because of this, natural bait and cut bait are much better than artificial bait for catching drums. read more
Natural baits are by far the best method for catching Black drum. Good baits include blue crabs, shrimp, clams, mussels, and anything else that puts off a good odor and taste. One trick if you’re not getting bites is to break open or pinch the baits, allowing more scent to be released into the water. read more
Unless specifically fishing for Drum over thirty pounds, no special tackle is needed. A standard medium rod and reel loaded with 17 to 20 pound test line will land most Drum. The use of a bottom fishing rig which has a stronger pound test leader is advisable and multi-hook rigs works well. Crabs, cut bait, or squid will catch Drum but for many anglers dead smelly shrimp often produces fish. read more