Black Drum

If you're targeting Black Drum around Long Beach, Mississippi, you're in for a treat. The brackish waters where the rivers meet the Gulf provide ideal habitat, especially around structures like the Long Beach Harbor jetties and nearby bridges. Prime time is during the spring and fall when the drum are migrating and actively feeding. They're suckers for crustaceans, so live shrimp or cracked crab fished on the bottom are your best bet. Water clarity can be variable, so adjust your leader length accordingly – longer in clearer water, shorter when it's murky. A local tip: try fishing the outgoing tide near the mouths of the rivers that feed into the bay; the current can concentrate forage and the drum will follow. Also, remember these fish are powerful, so use heavier tackle.