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Caught a Black Drum Inshore in Savannah
Black Drum Fishing in Savannah
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The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) is a powerful inshore species commonly found in Savannah's coastal waters. As the largest member of the Sciaenidae family, these fish can reach impressive sizes between 15-90 pounds, making them a prized catch for anglers fishing Georgia's coastline. - Black Drum are known for their distinctive drumming sounds produced by specialized muscles against their swim bladder. - They have strong pharyngeal teeth designed for crushing shellfish, their preferred prey. - These fish are often found around structure like bridge pilings, oyster beds, and deeper channels.
Fishing Charter by Captain Zachary Holick in August
Meet your Captain Zachary Holick
- Unforgettable Fishing Adventures in Savannah, GA
Summary
Saturday February turned out to be the perfect day for an inshore fishing charter in Savannah, GA. I took Eric and his crew out from Captain Zach's Fishing Charter for a productive morning on the water around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. With partly cloudy skies creating ideal conditions, we focused on some prime Black Drum spots I've found consistently productive this time of year. Using bottom fishing techniques and live bait, we targeted the structures where these fighters tend to congregate. The day's highlight came when they hooked into a nice 19-inch Black Drum, which put up an excellent fight. Whether you're an experienced angler or just looking to enjoy a day on Georgia's coastal waters, our inshore fishing trips offer the perfect opportunity to experience Savannah's incredible fishery.
Fishing Charter with Captain Zachary Holick – Rates & Booking
Captain Zachary Holick of Captain Zach's Fishing Charter offers Saturday February trips targeting the abundant Black Drum in Savannah's inshore waters. Our 4-Hour Trip is perfect for both novice and experienced anglers looking to experience the fantastic fishing opportunities around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. All necessary fishing gear, licenses, and expert guidance are included in your charter. We provide everything you need - just bring sunscreen, a hat, and your camera to capture the action.
Our inshore trips focus on productive fishing grounds where Black Drum and other species congregate. With years of local experience, I know exactly where to find the bite, regardless of conditions. Morning charters typically start early to catch the most active feeding periods, but we can accommodate different schedules based on your needs.
Highlights of Captain Zach's Fishing Charter
The winter Black Drum bite in Savannah offers consistent action with hard-fighting fish. Our recent trip with Eric's group demonstrated why these powerful fighters are such a popular target. Using specialized bottom fishing techniques, we positioned ourselves over prime structures where Black Drum gather, allowing us to hook into a beautiful 19-inch specimen.
What makes fishing around Tybee and Wilmington Islands special is the variety of environments we can target. From deeper channels to oyster beds and dock structures, we'll adapt our approach based on tides, weather, and where the fish are most active. This versatility keeps the action interesting and maximizes your chances of success.
Local Species Insights: Black Drum
Black Drum are one of Savannah's most reliable inshore targets, especially during winter months when they school up in predictable locations. These powerful fish are cousins to the popular Redfish but often grow larger and fight with distinctive powerful runs. They prefer structured areas like bridge pilings, docks, and deeper holes where they can ambush prey like crustaceans and small baitfish.
When targeting Black Drum in Savannah, we primarily use bottom fishing techniques with fresh cut bait, crab, or shrimp. Their strong jaws are designed to crush shellfish, making these baits particularly effective. While they don't make blistering runs like some gamefish, their steady, powerful pulls will test your tackle and technique. Winter is actually one of the best times to target them as they gather in predictable locations throughout our inshore waters.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your day on the water with Captain Zach's Fishing Charter, dress in layers as morning temperatures can be cool even in Savannah. Our boat is well-equipped with comfortable seating, storage, and all the safety equipment required by Coast Guard regulations. We typically meet at our dock location about 20 minutes before departure time to get everyone situated and discuss the day's plan.
Groups of up to 4 anglers can be accommodated comfortably on our vessel. If you have specific species you're hoping to target beyond Black Drum, just let me know when booking and I'll plan accordingly. The beauty of Savannah's inshore waters is that we can often target multiple species in a single trip, adapting to conditions and your preferences to ensure everyone has a memorable day on the water.
Fishing in Savannah: Black Drum
The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) belongs to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order. These distinctive fish feature a silvery-gray to black coloration with characteristic barbels under their chin and powerful pharyngeal teeth perfect for crushing shellfish. In Savannah waters this February, they're particularly active around structured areas where they hunt for their favorite prey.
Black Drum Overview
Black Drum are one of the largest members of the drum family, known for the drumming sound they make by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder. Anglers prize them for their strong fights and reliable presence in coastal waters. Their distinctive appearance includes a high-arched back, blunt snout, and barbels on their lower jaw that help them locate food.
Black Drum Habitat and Distribution
These fish inhabit brackish and coastal waters along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Argentina, with strong populations throughout Georgia's coast. Around Savannah, Black Drum are commonly found near structure like bridge pilings, oyster beds, jetties, and deeper channels. They prefer areas with mixed bottom composition and moderate current where they can ambush prey.
Black Drum Size and Weight
Black Drum can reach impressive sizes, typically weighing between 15 and 90 pounds when fully mature. The largest specimens can reach over 100 pounds, though most caught by recreational anglers range between 5-30 pounds. In Savannah waters, a quality catch often measures 18-24 inches with trophy specimens exceeding 30 inches.
Black Drum Diet and Behavior
Black Drum are primarily bottom feeders that use their sensitive barbels to locate prey items in the substrate. Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and worms. They have powerful pharyngeal teeth designed specifically for crushing oysters, clams, and crabs. They tend to be most active during moving tides when prey is more accessible.
Black Drum Spawning Season
In Georgia waters, Black Drum typically spawn from January through April, with peak activity in February and March. During this period, they form large aggregations in deeper channels and near inlets where salinity and temperature create ideal conditions. Female Black Drum can produce millions of eggs, contributing to their sustainable population levels despite fishing pressure.
Black Drum Fishing Techniques
When targeting Black Drum in Savannah, bottom fishing with natural baits produces the best results. Fresh blue crab, shrimp, clams, and cut mullet are all excellent choices. Use a fish-finder rig with a 3-4 oz weight and 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook depending on bait size. In February, anglers around Savannah find them concentrated near deeper holes, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they seek more stable water temperatures during cooler weather.
Black Drum Is It Good to Eat?
Black Drum offer excellent table fare, particularly smaller specimens under 10-15 pounds. The meat is white, flaky, and mild-flavored with medium firmness. Larger drum may develop a coarser texture and can contain more parasites, so many anglers release the bigger breeding-sized fish. They can be prepared numerous ways including baked, broiled, or blackened, and pair well with citrus and herbs.
Black Drum Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Black Drum?
A: Fresh blue crab is widely considered the premium bait for Black Drum in Savannah waters, but fresh shrimp, clams, and cut mullet also work well. When using crab, break it into pieces while keeping portions of the shell intact for scent dispersion.
Q: Where can I find Black Drum near Savannah?
A: Look for Black Drum around bridge pilings, dock structures, deeper holes in tidal creeks, and oyster bars. The waters around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island hold excellent populations, particularly during winter and early spring months.
Q: Is Black Drum good to eat?
A: Yes, smaller Black Drum (under 15 pounds) provide excellent eating with white, flaky meat. Larger specimens may have a coarser texture and more parasites, so they're often released. The fillets are versatile and can be prepared various ways.
Q: When is the best time to catch Black Drum in Savannah?
A: While Black Drum can be caught year-round, winter through early spring (December-April) offers the most consistent action as they school up in predictable locations. February is particularly good as pre-spawn fish gather in larger numbers.
Q: How big do Black Drum get in Georgia waters?
A: Black Drum in Georgia commonly reach 15-40 pounds, with trophy specimens exceeding 50-60 pounds. The state record is over 80 pounds, showcasing their impressive growth potential in these productive waters.
Q: What tackle should I use for Black Drum?
A: Medium-heavy spinning or conventional tackle with 20-30 pound test line works well. Use a 3-4 oz weight to hold bottom in current and circle hooks sized 3/0 to 5/0 depending on your bait choice.
