Black drum across North Carolina
Limits, records and where to find black drum.
- 10 a daydaily creel
- 100 lb. 1 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Attackgirl (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
black drum across North Carolina
Black drum (Pogonias cromis) is a saltwater species in North Carolina. Under NCWRC rules (inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line)), the creel is 10 a day and the size rule is 14 to 25 in.
A 100 lb. 1 oz. fish from Cape Fear River in 1998 holds the state record. NCDMF citation: Award for live release of fish, 40 inches or longer.
NCDMF, per black drum
“Black drum have short, deep bodies (less than three times as long as deep)with high-arched backs and flattish bellies. They have conspicuous chin barbells and make a loud grunting noise when excited. Adults have dusky to black fins and are silver with a brassy luster when alive, but change to a dark gray after death. Young drum possess four to six black vertical bars.”
- SizeBlack drum grow to 5 feet and 146 pounds.
- HabitatBlack drum are found from southern New England to Mexico but are more commonly caught from New Jersey southward. They prefer coastal waters of the bays, sounds and inlets, with a range of salinities.
- DietBlack drum feed on the bottom and use their chin barbels to search for food. They have strong throat teeth that allow them to eat clams, mussels, oysters and crabs. They also eat worms and some fish.
- Fishing tipsBlack drum are rarely caught with artificial lures since feeding is through feel and smell. Anglers more commonly use conventional bottom rigs with sinkers or one or more drops with single hooks and no sinker. Fishermen catch black drum fishing from banks, in the surf or from anchored boats using cu
- Also calleddrum
- Confused withsheepshead, spadefish
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
North Carolina harvest rules for black drum
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | 10 a day | 14 to 25 in | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | 10 a day | 14-25 in, plus 1 over 25 in | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
black drum in the state record book
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 100 lb. 1 oz. | Cape Fear River | 1998 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
More black drum neighbors
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
- Spanish mackerelsalt
A look around Black drum
Photo: Phoebe, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Photo: User:Dincher, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Quick facts on black drum
What daily limit applies to black drum?
10 a day (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size 14 to 25 in.
Does North Carolina keep a record for black drum?
100 lb. 1 oz. from Cape Fear River (1998).
Where do North Carolina anglers find black drum?
Black drum are found from southern New England to Mexico but are more commonly caught from New Jersey southward. They prefer coastal waters of the bays, sounds and inlets, with a range of salinities.
Are black drum stocked in North Carolina?
The 2026 list does not include it.
How do I recognize black drum?
Black drum grow to 5 feet and 146 pounds.
In which months may I keep black drum?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Do I need a CRFL for black drum?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which captains run trips for black drum?
No operator names it; try the guides page.
Hunt for black drum
Every water named here has a page with ramps and limits.