For drum fishing, especially targeting Black Drum, the most effective baits are natural, live options that mimic their primary food sources. Crab, shrimp, and clams are consistently top choices due to their strong scent and natural appeal.
Understanding Drum Feeding Habits
Drum species, particularly Black Drum, are primarily bottom feeders. They use their specialized mouths to crush shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish found on the seafloor. This feeding habit dictates that the most successful baits will be those presented on or very near the bottom, mimicking their natural prey.
Top Baits for Drum Fishing
The best baits for drum fishing are typically live or fresh dead options that appeal to their strong sense of smell and their preference for bottom-dwelling organisms.
Live and Natural Baits
| Bait Type | Description | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Crab | Small blue crabs, fiddler crabs, or pieces of larger crabs. | A natural and highly favored food source for Black Drum. |
| Shrimp | Live or fresh dead shrimp, peeled or unpeeled. | Excellent scent trail, widely available, and a common prey item. |
| Clams | Fresh shucked clams, often threaded onto the hook. | Strong scent, very appealing to drum. |
| Sand Fleas | Small crustaceans found on beaches, often dug up from the surf line. | A natural delicacy for drum feeding in sandy areas. |
| Mullet | Cut pieces of fresh mullet, particularly the head or a chunk. | Oily and bloody, creating a strong scent trail for larger drum. |
| Ladyfish | Cut pieces of fresh ladyfish, similar to mullet for scent. | Another oily baitfish that attracts drum. |
| Other Bait Fish | Small, fresh cut bait fish that are locally abundant. | Mimics injured or dead fish, a supplementary food source. |
Essential Techniques for Drum Fishing Success
To maximize your chances when drum fishing, proper bait presentation and tackle setup are crucial.
- Bottom Presentation: Since drum are bottom feeders, your bait must reach and stay on the seafloor. This requires adding sinkers to your line to ensure the bait settles effectively and remains in the strike zone, especially in currents.
- Freshness is Key: Always use the freshest bait possible. Live bait is often superior, but fresh dead bait that hasn't been frozen and thawed multiple times can also be very effective due to its stronger scent.
- Right Hook Size: Match your hook size to the bait and the expected size of the drum. A circle hook is often recommended for drum to ensure a solid hookset and reduce the chance of gut-hooking.
- Patience: Drum can be slow to bite. Be patient and allow the bait to soak for an extended period.
- Locate Structure: Drum often congregate around oyster beds, jetties, bridges, and channels where their food sources are abundant.
By focusing on these preferred baits and employing effective bottom-fishing techniques, anglers can significantly increase their success rate when targeting drum.
