Florida · Tampa Bay
BLACK DRUM FISHING
IN ST. PETERSBURG
St. Petersburg is a solid destination for black drum fishing, with good fishing in January, February, December. Book a charter and target black drum with local experts.
About Black Drum Fishing in St. Petersburg
A powerful bottom-feeding species found in bays and passes. Juveniles are excellent table fare.
Black Drum are powerful bottom feeders found throughout Gulf and Atlantic estuaries. Juveniles display 4-5 dark vertical bars on a silver body and are often confused with sheepshead, but lack the prominent teeth. Adults lose the bars and turn uniformly dark gray to black, with large specimens developing a pronounced hump and thick, rubbery lips for crushing oysters and clams. They are the largest member of the drum family.
Scientific name: Pogonias cromis
Black Drum Seasonal Calendar — St. Petersburg
Month-by-month availability for black drum in St. Petersburg, FL.
How to Catch Black Drum in St. Petersburg
Techniques & Bait
Fresh-cut blue crab (halved or quartered) on a heavy Carolina rig is the go-to bait for big drum around passes and jetties. Shrimp, clams, and oysters on bottom rigs work well around structure. For juveniles (10-15 lbs), live shrimp under a cork or on a jighead works great around oyster bars. In Texas and Louisiana, sight-casting to tailing drum on shallow flats with shrimp or crab flies is an incredible experience.
Recommended Tackle
Medium to medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 30 lb fluorocarbon leader for bull drum. Medium-light tackle for juveniles. Circle hooks (4/0-6/0) are recommended for safe release of oversized fish.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in St. Petersburg
Top spots where local captains target black drum and other inshore species.
Fort De Soto Flats
Fort De Soto Park encompasses several islands at the southern tip of Pinellas County, surrounded by expansive grass flats teeming with snook, redfish, and trout. The park's protected waters and diverse habitat make it one of the top inshore fishing destinations in the Tampa Bay area. The mangrove-lined shorelines and sand bars hold fish year-round in crystal-clear water.
Weedon Island
Weedon Island Preserve sits on the eastern shore of St. Petersburg, with miles of mangrove creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars holding snook, redfish, and trout. The preserve's diverse habitat supports an incredible density of inshore gamefish throughout the year. Kayak anglers especially love the winding mangrove tunnels that lead to hidden fishing holes.
Pinellas Bayway
The Pinellas Bayway bridges connect St. Petersburg to the barrier islands, creating current funnels that attract snook, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper around the pilings. The bridge shadow lines are especially productive during hot summer months when fish seek shade. Night fishing under the bridge lights produces trophy snook from May through September.
Boca Ciega Bay
Boca Ciega Bay is a shallow, protected bay west of St. Petersburg with grass flats, spoil islands, and residential canals holding snook, redfish, and trout. The bay's warm, sheltered waters make it an excellent year-round fishery, with winter fishing particularly strong when fish seek warm water refuges. Its proximity to Gulf passes brings in seasonal migrations of tarpon and cobia.
Other Species in St. Petersburg
More fish you can target while visiting St. Petersburg.
Black Drum Fishing in St. Petersburg — FAQ
Black Drum fishing in St. Petersburg is productive during January, February, December.
Black Drum fishing charters in St. Petersburg are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Fresh-cut blue crab (halved or quartered) on a heavy Carolina rig is the go-to bait for big drum around passes and jetties. Shrimp, clams, and oysters on bottom rigs work well around structure. For juveniles (10-15 lbs), live shrimp under a cork or on a jighead works great around oyster bars. In Texas and Louisiana, sight-casting to tailing drum on shallow flats with shrimp or crab flies is an incredible experience.
No — when you book a charter in St. Petersburg, your captain provides all required Florida fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Black Drum regulations in Florida include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Black Drum in St. Petersburg, you may also catch Snook, Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, King Mackerel. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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