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Caught a 27inch Black Drum Inshore in Hilton
Black Drum Fishing in Hilton Head Island
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The Black Drum belongs to the Sciaenidae family, which includes nearly 300 species of fish commonly known as drums or croakers. These powerful fish are often found in Hilton Head Island's brackish waters, especially around oyster beds and structure. - Black Drum can weigh anywhere from 15 to 90 pounds, making them formidable fighters. - They're known for making a distinctive drumming sound by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder. - Their powerful jaws and teeth are specially designed for crushing shellfish.
Fishing Charter by Captain Sangkyun Kim in August
Meet your Captain Captain Kim
- I Love Hilton Head Island Fishing Charters!
Summary
Experience the thrill of catching Black Drum on this inshore fishing charter in Hilton Head Island, SC with I Love Fishing Charters. Captain Kim offers an exceptional Wednesday June trip targeting these powerful fighters in the island's productive waters. Perfect for families and anglers of all skill levels, this 2-hour adventure provides everything you need for a successful day on the water. From the calm inshore waters to the expert guidance, you'll enjoy premier fishing opportunities while taking in the natural beauty of Hilton Head's coastal environment. Previous trips have yielded impressive Black Drum up to 27 inches, along with Redfish and other local species. All fishing equipment is provided, making this the perfect addition to your Hilton Head vacation.
Fishing Charter with Captain Kim – Rates & Booking
Captain Sangkyun Kim of I Love Fishing Charters on Wednesday June offers an incredible 2-hour inshore fishing experience targeting Black Drum and other local species. This trip is perfect for both beginners and experienced anglers, with all fishing gear and licenses provided. The morning departure gives you ideal conditions to catch these hard-fighting fish while enjoying the beautiful Hilton Head scenery. Our boat comfortably accommodates small groups, making this perfect for families or friends looking for quality time on the water. Reserve your spot early, as summer dates fill quickly for these popular inshore trips.
Highlights of this Charter
Our recent trips have been incredibly productive, with clients landing impressive Black Drum up to 27 inches. These powerful fish put up an exciting fight on light tackle and are abundant in Hilton Head's inshore waters. We also frequently catch Redfish in the 21-inch range, adding variety to your day on the water.
The clear, calm waters around Hilton Head Island provide perfect conditions for spotting structure and targeting these prized gamefish. Captain Kim's extensive local knowledge ensures you'll be fishing the most productive spots based on tide, weather, and seasonal patterns. Whether you're jigging around structure or fishing with bait, you'll enjoy consistent action throughout your trip.
Local Species Insights: Black Drum
Black Drum are one of Hilton Head's most exciting inshore species, known for their powerful runs and distinctive drumming sound. These cousins to the popular Redfish thrive in our brackish waters and can be found around oyster beds, pier pilings, and deeper holes in the inshore waterways. Summer is an excellent time to target them, as they move into shallower waters to feed.
Captain Kim specializes in techniques specifically designed for Black Drum success, including jigging and bait presentation methods that consistently produce results. Their strong jaws are designed for crushing shellfish, so we'll use appropriate tackle to ensure solid hooksets. The 27-inch specimen recently caught demonstrates the quality of fishing Hilton Head offers during the summer months.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our comfortable, well-equipped charter boat provides everything needed for a successful day on the water. We supply all quality fishing gear, including rods, reels, tackle, and bait appropriate for targeting Black Drum and other inshore species. You'll want to bring sun protection, a camera to document your catch, and any preferred snacks or drinks.
Morning trips typically meet at our convenient Hilton Head marina location, with exact details provided upon booking. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather and non-marking shoes. Our 2-hour trip format is perfect for fitting a quality fishing experience into your vacation schedule while still leaving time for other activities. Captain Kim prioritizes both a productive fishing experience and safety on the water.
Fishing in Hilton Head: Black Drum
The Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) is one of the most impressive members of the Sciaenidae family, belonging to the order Perciformes. These powerful fish are easily identified by their silvery-gray to black coloration, distinctive barbels under their chin, and their unique ability to produce drumming sounds. In Hilton Head waters this June, they've been particularly active in the inshore areas where brackish waters provide ideal feeding grounds.
Black Drum Overview
Black Drum are robust, bottom-dwelling fish known for their powerful runs and strong fighting ability when hooked. They're highly prized by anglers for both sport and table fare, especially smaller specimens under 15 pounds. As the largest member of the drum family, they share lineage with other popular gamefish like Redfish (Red Drum) and Speckled Trout.
Black Drum Habitat and Distribution
These fish thrive in brackish environments where fresh and saltwater mix. Around Hilton Head Island, they're commonly found near structure like oyster beds, pier pilings, bridge supports, and channel edges. They prefer muddy or sandy bottoms where they can root for food. Black Drum range from New England to Mexico in the western Atlantic, with particularly strong populations throughout South Carolina's coastal waters.
Black Drum Size and Weight
Black Drum exhibit impressive growth potential, ranging from 15 to 90 pounds when fully mature. The recent 27-inch specimen caught in Hilton Head represents a nice mid-sized fish. Trophy-sized Black Drum can reach over 100 pounds in exceptional cases, though most inshore catches tend to be in the 5-30 pound range. Their broad, powerful bodies provide substantial fight for their size.
Black Drum Diet and Behavior
Armed with powerful pharyngeal teeth in their throat, Black Drum are perfectly equipped to crush mollusks, crabs, shrimp, and other crustaceans. They feed by rooting in the substrate and using their sensitive chin barbels to locate prey. They often hunt in schools when younger but tend to become more solitary as they grow larger. They feed most actively during moving tides when currents stir up their preferred prey.
Black Drum Spawning Season
In South Carolina waters, Black Drum typically spawn from February through June, with peak activity in April and May. They prefer water temperatures between 62-72°F and gather in large breeding groups in deeper channels and inlets. The distinctive drumming sounds males produce during this time are part of their mating ritual, created by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder.
Black Drum Fishing Techniques
For successful Black Drum fishing around Hilton Head, fresh bait produces the best results. Crab pieces, shrimp, clams, or oysters presented on a fish-finder rig with a 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook work exceptionally well. When jigging, try scented soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom near structure. In June, anglers around Hilton Head find them concentrated around deeper holes adjacent to oyster bars during falling tides. Use medium-heavy tackle as even modest-sized Black Drum put up a substantial fight.
Black Drum Is It Good to Eat?
Smaller Black Drum (under 15 pounds) are excellent table fare, offering sweet, flaky white meat similar to Redfish but slightly firmer. Larger specimens tend to be coarser in texture and may contain parasitic worms that, while harmless when cooked, can be unappetizing. They're best prepared grilled, blackened, or baked with light seasoning to preserve their delicate flavor. Black Drum are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids while having relatively low mercury content compared to other similar-sized fish.
Black Drum Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Black Drum?
A: Fresh cut blue crab is the top bait for Black Drum around Hilton Head, followed closely by fresh shrimp, clams, and oysters. Their diet consists primarily of crustaceans and mollusks, so these natural baits are most effective.
Q: Where can I find Black Drum near Hilton Head Island?
A: Look for them around structure such as oyster beds, dock pilings, bridge supports, and channel edges, particularly in areas with good tidal flow. During summer, they're often found in 5-15 feet of water, especially in areas where brackish water creates their preferred environment.
Q: Is Black Drum good to eat?
A: Yes, smaller Black Drum (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating with sweet, white, flaky meat. Larger specimens tend to be tougher and may contain more parasites. They're best prepared grilled, baked, or blackened with simple seasonings that complement their mild flavor.
Q: When is the best time to catch Black Drum?
A: In Hilton Head, Black Drum can be caught year-round, but spring through early summer (April-June) offers peak fishing as they recover from spawning and feed actively. The best bite typically occurs during moving tides, especially the first few hours of falling tide when they feed most aggressively.
Q: How hard do Black Drum fight compared to other inshore species?
A: Black Drum are known for their powerful, bulldogging fights with strong initial runs and determined resistance. While they don't make the spectacular jumps of some species, their sheer power and endurance make them a worthy adversary, especially on light to medium tackle.
Q: What's the difference between Black Drum and Red Drum (Redfish)?
A: While related, Black Drum have multiple chin barbels (Red Drum have none), vertical black stripes when younger (versus the Redfish's spot on the tail), and grow to larger maximum sizes. Black Drum also have more powerful crushing plates in their throats for feeding on shellfish.
