Big Bruisers

The Black Drum is one of the hardest fighting and most challenging sport fish in the Chesapeake Bay. 

These thick bodied bottom feeders have powerful jaws to crush oyster shells and eat hard shelled crabs without fear of the claws of their prey. Drum can average between 50 to 80 lbs and the state record, caught off Cape Charles, was 111 lbs. Declines in crab harvest, the disappearance of large oyster reefs, and overfishing from commercial watermen and recreational anglers have made these mighty fish rare in many places in the bay, especially along the main tributaries.

This little guy will grow up to be a monster

Good News on the York        

In recent years, oyster beds have become large and healthy enough for commercial watermen to harvest in the upper portions of the York River. Crabbers have also had a couple of good seasons as well. While the adult fish are swimming along the deeper drop-offs in the middle of the river, juvenile black drum are being found during our seine netting programs. Our AmeriCorps Intern, Casey Killan and myself have caught four of them over the weekend ranging from one to two inches. There must be parent fish somewhere in the deeper waters around the middle channel. As a kid, I was told that black drum was more of an Eastern Shore species. Now, it may be possible to find these fish just a few miles from my West Point home.

Following the Rules

Anglers should not plan on filling their coolers with black drum any time soon. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has very strict rules for harvesting drum. Only one per person is permitted per person and it has to be at least 16 inches long. We would love to display the juveniles we catch in our aquariums. But, we would rather err on the side of caution and release them. 

To catch one of the big guys, launch your boat from Croaker Landing and locate an oyster bed near a drop off. Fishing on an incoming or top of the outgoing tide is best. By net or hook, we cannot guarantee you will find a black drum at York River State Park. But, at least this mighty fish is making a comeback on this side of the bay.    

Directions to York River State Park: From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park.