Pogonias Courbina Courses

Pogonias courbina, commonly known as the Black Drum, is a species of large, hardy, bottom-feeder fish that is native to the western Atlantic Ocean. The fish have a long and cylindrical body, with a wide, flat head and a mouth located at the top. They can grow to be up to 60 inches in length and weigh around 50 pounds. Their scales are oval-shaped and gray to bronze in color, with the back and sides having tinged yellow, purple, or brown colors. Black Drum feed mainly on shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish, using their powerful mouths to energetically destroy any shells that may be around them. They are commonly found in shallow inshore areas such as estuaries, bays, and lagoons. Spawning occurs from late April to early July, with the female releasing eggs that are fertilized by the male. The eggs are then dispersed by the current and hatch in about a day. The Black Drum can live up to 30 years and is a prized game fish for anglers. Fishing for the Black Drum is restricted by season and size limits in many areas.