Drum
Black Drum Fishing in Alabama
The largest drum, found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in bays, river mouths, and around oyster beds, docks, and pilings. Black drum root out crabs, shrimp, and shellfish, and anglers fish cut bait, shrimp, or blue crab on the bottom.
- Waters
- 1
- State
- Alabama
- Water
- Saltwater
- Methods
- Spin & Bait
Prime Months in Alabama: May to Jun
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
From the agency months on 1 Alabama water: Mobile Bay.
Highlighted months are the best fishing; the other months are slower, not empty.
What to Use for Black Drum
Fishing In
Black Drum
Prime: May to Jun
No fly setup listed for black drum; see Spin / Cast.
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium-heavy spinning or casting rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 15 to 30 lb line, fish-finder rig with a circle hook and crab or shrimp.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodPenn Battalion II Surf Spinning Rod · 10 ft medium heavy, 15 to 30 lbCheck Price
- ReelPenn Battle IV Spinning Reel · 4000 or 5000Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 15 lb, 20 lb or 30 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Bait for November · Halved, quartered or piecesPeeler or Cut Blue Crab
- Bait for November · Chunk or stripCut Mullet
- Bait for November · StripSquid
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need an Alabama fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Where to Catch Black Drum
1 of 1 waters
