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Captain Zachs Fishing Charter in Savannah
Black Drum Fishing in Savannah
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The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) belongs to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order, making it a cousin to other popular gamefish like Redfish. These powerful inshore predators thrive in Savannah's brackish waters, particularly around structured areas like oyster beds and bridge pilings. - Black Drums can weigh anywhere from 15 to 90 pounds, with trophy specimens reaching impressive sizes. - They get their name from the drumming sound they make by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder. - Their distinctive chin barbels and powerful pharyngeal teeth allow them to crush shellfish and crustaceans.
Fishing Charter by Captain Zachary Holick in August
Meet your Captain Zachary Holick
- Unforgettable Fishing Adventures in Savannah, GA
Summary
A winter fishing trip with Captain Zach's Fishing Charter turned into a Black Drum bonanza for Eric and his crew in Savannah, GA. Setting out on a Saturday in February, we explored the productive inshore waters around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island under partly cloudy skies—perfect fishing conditions. Our targeted approach using bottom fishing techniques quickly paid off with multiple Black Drum hookups. The 4-hour charter showcased the versatility of Savannah's winter fishery, with opportunities for anglers of all experience levels. Whether you're after Black Drum or simply want to experience the best inshore fishing Savannah has to offer, our local knowledge and effective techniques consistently produce results. Every charter includes quality gear, safety equipment, and the expertise needed for a successful day on Georgia's coastal waters.
Fishing Charter with Zachary Holick – Rates & Booking
Captain Zachary Holick of Captain Zach's Fishing Charter on Saturday February offers an excellent 4-hour inshore fishing trip that's perfect for targeting Black Drum and other local species. Our Savannah fishing charters are equipped with all the necessary gear, tackle, and licenses to get you on fish quickly. We specialize in bottom fishing, trolling, and live bait techniques that are particularly effective for Black Drum in the waters around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. Captain Zach's local knowledge ensures you'll be fishing the most productive spots based on current conditions and seasonal patterns. Whether you're a beginner or experienced angler, our personalized approach accommodates all skill levels.
Highlights of this Fishing Charter
This winter Black Drum trip showcased the excellent inshore fishing Savannah has to offer. We found success using bottom fishing techniques in prime Black Drum hotspots, with the crew landing multiple fish in the 14-16 inch range. The partly cloudy weather created ideal conditions, allowing us to effectively target these hard-fighting fish that put up an impressive battle on appropriate tackle.
What makes our Savannah fishing charters stand out is our ability to adapt techniques throughout the day. We mixed in trolling and live bait fishing to keep the action constant and target multiple species. The versatility of our approach ensures that even when conditions change, we can still provide a productive and enjoyable fishing experience.
Local Species Insights: Black Drum
Black Drum are one of Savannah's premier inshore gamefish, particularly during winter months when they school up in predictable areas. These powerful members of the drum family have distinctive chin barbels and strong, crushing teeth designed for feeding on shellfish and crustaceans. In Savannah waters, we typically target them around structured areas like bridge pilings, oyster beds, and channel edges where they gather to feed.
The most effective technique for Savannah Black Drum is bottom fishing with fresh cut bait or live shrimp. Their strong jaws and powerful runs make them an exciting catch on light to medium tackle. Black Drum in the 14-16 inch range are considered excellent eating size, offering sweet, white meat similar to but milder than their red drum cousins. For anglers visiting Savannah looking for a reliable winter target species that offers both good action and table fare, Black Drum are hard to beat.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our Savannah fishing charters typically depart early morning from convenient locations near Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. The 4-hour trip provides ample fishing time while still leaving part of your day free for other activities. Our boat comfortably accommodates small groups and is equipped with quality rods, reels, tackle, bait, and safety equipment. We recommend bringing sun protection, comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather, and a camera to document your catch. Light snacks and bottled water are welcome aboard. For those interested in keeping their catch, we're happy to clean and prepare your Black Drum for the dinner table, as they make excellent eating when prepared properly.
Fishing in Savannah: Black Drum
The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) is a distinctive member of the Sciaenidae family in the order Perciformes. Known for its silver-gray to black coloration and characteristic chin barbels, this powerful fish is prized by anglers in Savannah waters, especially during winter months when they school up in predictable locations.
Black Drum Overview
Black Drum are the largest members of the drum family, which includes nearly 300 species worldwide including their popular cousin, the Redfish (Red Drum). They get their name from the drumming or croaking sounds they produce by vibrating special muscles against their swim bladder, particularly during spawning season.
Black Drum Habitat and Distribution
These fish primarily inhabit brackish and coastal waters along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Mexico. In Savannah, they're commonly found around structured areas like bridge pilings, dock structures, oyster beds, and channel edges where food sources are plentiful. They can tolerate a wide range of salinities, which allows them to move between saltwater and nearly freshwater environments.
Black Drum Size and Weight
Black Drum exhibit impressive growth potential, with weights ranging from 15 to 90 pounds. The average catch in Savannah waters typically falls in the 5-15 pound range, with specimens in the 14-16 inch class considered ideal for table fare. Trophy-sized Black Drum exceeding 50 pounds are occasionally caught, providing challenging fights for anglers.
Black Drum Diet and Behavior
Black Drum are primarily bottom feeders with strong pharyngeal teeth designed for crushing shellfish. Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and other invertebrates. They use their sensitive chin barbels to detect prey in murky waters or on sandy bottoms. In Savannah, they're often found feeding around oyster beds and along channel edges where shellfish are abundant.
Black Drum Spawning Season
In Georgia coastal waters, Black Drum typically spawn from late winter through early spring, with February being a transition period when they begin to form pre-spawning aggregations. They prefer water temperatures between 62-72°F for spawning. During this time, they become more vocal (drumming) and often gather in deeper channels and passes.
Black Drum Fishing Techniques
The most effective approach for Black Drum in Savannah waters is bottom fishing with fresh cut bait, live shrimp, or blue crabs. Medium-heavy tackle with 20-30lb test line works well for handling their powerful runs. During February in Savannah, anglers find success fishing deeper holes near oyster beds and bridge pilings during falling tides. For artificial lures, scented soft plastics and jigs bounced slowly along the bottom can produce strikes, particularly when tipped with a piece of shrimp.
Black Drum Is It Good to Eat?
Smaller Black Drum (under 20 inches) are excellent eating fish with firm, white, mild-flavored flesh. They're versatile for cooking methods including grilling, baking, or blackening. The meat is lower in fat than many other fish but rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Larger specimens tend to be coarser in texture and may contain more parasites, making them better candidates for catch and release.
Black Drum Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Black Drum?
A: Fresh cut shrimp, blue crab pieces, clams, and fiddler crabs are all excellent baits for Black Drum in Savannah waters. For the best results, use fresh, not frozen bait, and ensure it's properly secured to the hook to withstand their powerful bite.
Q: Where can I find Black Drum near Savannah?
A: The most productive areas around Savannah include the waters around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island, particularly near bridge pilings, dock structures, oyster beds, and deeper channel edges. During winter months, they often gather in deeper holes where water temperature remains more stable.
Q: Is Black Drum good to eat?
A: Yes, smaller Black Drum (under 20 inches) are excellent table fare with firm, white meat and mild flavor. They're versatile for various cooking methods and provide good nutritional value. Larger specimens can be released to preserve breeding stock.
Q: When is the best time to catch Black Drum in Savannah?
A: While Black Drum can be caught year-round in Savannah waters, winter through early spring (December through April) typically produces the best results when they school up in predictable locations. February is particularly good as pre-spawn activity increases.
Q: What size tackle should I use for Black Drum?
A: Medium-heavy spinning or conventional tackle with 20-30lb test line is ideal for most Savannah Black Drum. A 7-foot rod with good backbone paired with a quality reel with a smooth drag system will handle their powerful runs.
Q: Are Black Drum and Redfish related?
A: Yes, Black Drum and Redfish (Red Drum) are both members of the Sciaenidae family. While similar in some ways, Black Drum have distinctive chin barbels and vertical black stripes as juveniles, while Redfish have a characteristic black spot on their tail.
