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 Editorial; Featuresred drum legal size texas  The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a long lived marine finfish (> 50 years of age) which has an estuarine dependant early life history (ages 0-4)

218, a person who violates a proclamation issued under Chapter 61 shall have all equipment, other thanThe red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a long lived marine finfish (> 50 years of age) which has an estuarine dependant early life history (ages 0-4). The ports of Port Aransas, Rockport, and Corpus Christi are all in the same region along the middle coast of Texas. Daily bag = 3 fish. The maximum published weight of the red drum is just under 100 pounds (45. View sales history, tax history, home value estimates, and overhead views. Possession & Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species. estimatesfor red drumandtoestimategrowthrates and determine the age structure of the oceanic schooling population of red drum. On the Texas coast spawning occurs. Most meet the legal size of 15 inches by November (14 months of age) and weigh an average of 1. Daily bag = 3 fish. 981 - Bag, Possession, and Length Limits (a) For all wildlife resources taken for personal consumption and for which there is a possession limit, the possession limit shall not apply after the wildlife resource has reached the possessor's residence and is finally processed. l X. The diet of red drum in estuaries along the Texas coast is similar to that found in other Gulf coast regions, however, information is limited and dated (Pearson 1929; Gunter 1945; Knapp 1950; Miles 1950). Possession Limit: Double the daily bag limit. As a result, the red drum fishery in South Carolina is defined by catch and release – 80% of red drum caught by anglers are released. Holt, G. These fish generally grow 20 to 30 inches long but can reach lengths of five feet,. Bag limit: 4 fish per person daily. South Carolina fishermen may keep up to three red drum per day in a slot that runs from 15 to 23 inches. In Texas, the legal size for a red fish is 14 inches. Bait Seines (a maximum mesh size not exceeding 1/4-inch bar, 1/2 inch stretched and 30 feet in length; must be operated solely on foot and by hand, without any pulley, mechanical device or assistance whatsoever). BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – More than 1 million red drum, also known as redfish, have been stocked in two popular Bexar County lakes this week. estimated number includes red drum that are caught and released because they are below the minimum size limit (Figure 2). I construct leaders with a Mustad 39941 circle hook, 6/O- to 9/O-size, depending on the size of baits being used. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. In China, cages are constructed of flexible mesh bags attached to solid frames and are 1. 4200 Smith School Rd. Many red drum broodstock at commercial foodfishPercentage of red drum in each 10 mm size class caught in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) trammel nets and landed by commercial trotlines during each fall and spring 1972-1978 (N. Historically, red drum supported important commercial and. (III) It is unlawful to retain more than two bass of less than 18 inches in length. (iv) During November, lawful means are restricted to pole-and-line only and the bag and possession limit for flounder is two. New in Fishing for 2023-2024. Increases of about two inches per year occur after that. Flagrant Offense: Exceeding commercial trotline length limits by more than 10%. Red drum will tolerate low salinity water, but survival is reduced in water below 50. These time periods were convenient for subsequent age. 5528. Max Length: 25 inches. The daily bag limit is one redfish per person. Texas speckled trout size regulations allow for a limit of five fish per day and a slit size of 15 to 25 inches, with the ability to keep a fish larger than 25 inches long. Black drum: Limit is five per day; 14-inch minimum, 30-inch maximum. 7 pounds. In all zones, there is a slot size limit of 18 to 27 inches total length. “Once you spot a tailing fish, you want to cast your artificial about 5 feet in front of the fish and 4 feet past it,” says Plair. Additionally, one of the five fish is allowed to be over 25”. 5 oz. " Spearfishing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish. Size of the mouth may regulate the size of the preferred prey. Red Drum fingerlings are released during seasons outside of wild juvenile Red Drum recruitment, exposing them. (b) The possession limit does not apply to fish in the. **. Other Although freshwater drum is considered a rough fish by many anglers, it is prized as a food fish in some areas. Mullet Bag & Length Limits. These pre-spawn and spawning congregations of adult black drum offer anglers the opportunity to target the big fish. February 12, 2016 the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission issued a news release announcing the meeting to be held at the Hyco Lake Community Center at 3: p. 4200 Smith School Rd. Review Florida’s extensive laws before fishing for red drum, or any fish. The possession limit is the number of a single species you can have in your possession at one time; it is a combined total of your daily take and anything you have stored at home. Submit only one picture of one side of the fish. Generally, fish do not weigh a pound an inch. 1 (in any allowable combination) - Special regulation: The daily bag limit is one fish for all allowable shark species including Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip and bonnethead. R. Red fish are a fun fish to catch, and can be quite challenging. While the diet of larger drum does not differTexas Commercial Fishing regulations summary 2023 2024 SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 – AUGUST 31, 2024. In the late 1980s red drum was overfished, thus several emergency closures were established to reduce fishing pressure and allow the stock to rebuild. Black drums are saltwater fish that normally weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. ) are allowed. Smaller Shark: Same as above, but increase leader length to. Carpenter, Director The Texas A&M University SystemCollege Station, Texas. Louisiana Redfish Fishing Florida anglers have to figure out Florida’s extensive laws before fishing for red drum, or any fish. Red drum, which feed heavily on mussels in marine waters, were first stocked. Most of the adult black drum measure 30-40 inches. Scharf (2000) reported that in the first year, young red drum in Texas estuaries grew about 0. Legal. Texas efforts to verify effects of stocking red drum are chronicled by McEachron et al. Immature red drum, puppy drum, may be kept within a slot range with a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of 26 inches. Red drum is a fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. m. General Rules & Regulations. The following reels are great reels for starting anglers or experienced pros. Georgia designated red drum (ciaenops ocellatus) as the official state salt water fish in 2006 (Georgia also recognizes an official state fish and a state cold water game fish, as well as a state seashell and marine mammal). A number of these restrictions were directed at a commercial purse seine fishery for red drum which began in 1977. 31, 2024. However, the intensity and proportions of the color of red drum depends to a degree upon where you catch him. Seasonal abundance, size distribution, year-class presence, residence duration, and migrational patterns of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in an estuarine marsh creek in the northern Indian River Lagoon, Florida, were investigated during a study in which gill net samples were collected monthly from August 1991 to March 1996. One of the most popular recreational fish in Texas; it is illegal to sell red drum commercially unless farm-raised; can tolerate freshwater,. Section 1. Hoop nets, wire nets, and slat traps must be marked with user’s name and fishing license number attached directly to the device. Sailfish Bag & Length Limits. Use a leader with a length of 18 to 24 inches and a test weight of 20 to 30 pounds. S. 7 pounds. Generally, three-year-old Red Drum typically weigh between 6 to 8 pounds. Similar Species: Red drum, S. 4200 Smith School Rd. (2) It is unlawful to have in possession for commercial or recreational purposes fish taken from Alabama waters smaller than those stated below, provided that in the recreational possession limit of three (3) Red drum, one (1) Red drum may exceed the maximum size and in the possession of six (6) spotted seatrout, one (1) may exceed the. Size can also be a hint when identifying Black Drum. The size at settlement is determined by the substrate of the settlement site (Havel et al. These cost $3 each, but they’re included in Saltwater and All-Water Packages, as well as One-Day Licenses, Lifetime Licenses, and Saltwater Endorsements. The Texas redfish limit is a daily limit of 3 fish and a slit size of 20 to 28 inches, with the ability to keep a fish over 28 inches long with a red drum day. they both school. Submit only one picture of one side of the fish. Red Drum in Texas are part of a broader Gulf-wide metapopulation structure. The current Texas black drum record, at 81 pounds, was 51. If memory serves, large black drum became protected only two months after his catch, and it was assumed the state record would never be beaten. Gigging, spearing, or snatching redfish is prohibited in the state of Florida. 6 mm per day, though the rates varied with location and year and were higher in more. They typically reside in deeper water, and can be quite fast. Management of red drum in Florida is considered a success story. In 1989, the slot limit of 18-27 inches, the bag limit of one fish per person and a closed season from March-May were put in place. Redfish, also know as red drum, are a popular inshore species available throughout the Gulf of Mexico and up the Atlantic Coast to Chesapeake Bay. We have you covered. Black Drum. The daily pocket limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. Minimum size: 16″ to 26″. Under current legislation, the fish are only legal to harvest when they fall between 15-23 inches in length – a size range that they reach for a little more than a year of their life. Jim West, 409-996-3054 The Texas redfish limit is a daily limit of 3 fish and a slit size of 20 to 28 inches, with the ability to keep a fish over 28 inches long with a red drum day. Males and females weigh 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1. Definitions. These fish grow fast, ranging in size from 3 to 10 kg (7 to 22 lb), with. Black drums are saltwater fish that normally weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds. One or more dark, ocellated spots at base of tail (occasionally without spot) Lack barbels on lower jaw. 3. They are edible saltwater fish. A. Review Florida’s extensive laws before fishing for red drum, or any fish. The size limit is set between 18 inches and 27 inches to allow the larger, sexually mature red drum to spawn. The Maryland state record was caught in 1977 in Tangier sound and weighed 74 pounds 6 ounces. No person shall harvest in or from the waters of the State of Florida at any time, or unnecessarily destroy, any redfish of total length less than 18 inches, nor greater than 27 inches. The average weight of black drum landed by recreational anglers in Texas is about 3 pounds. General Rules & Regulations. The FMP provided for a recreational bag limit of one fish per person per trip, and an incidental catch allowance for commercial net and shrimp fishermen. they both spawn en masse. Red drum Daily Bag: 3 Min Length: 20 inches Max Length: 28 inches See moreRed drum is a fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. 1 per vessel per year with appropriate federal permit as incidental catch during the open season. 0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length. Texas size and daily creel limits are lower and more complex:For smaller drum use whole shrimp on a small circle hook anywhere from size 2-2/0. 1–Dec. Sea bass. Bag Limit: 5, except November 1 – December 14 (bag limit: 0, coastal fisheries are closed) Minimum. Bait Seines (a maximum mesh size not exceeding 1/4-inch bar, 1/2 inch stretched and 30 feet in length; must be operated solely on foot and by hand, without any pulley, mechanical device or assistance whatsoever). Distinguishing characteristics include a dark gray or green back and silvery-white below, with distinct round spots on back, fins and tail; black. D. Statutory Authority: § 28. b One red drum over 28" allowed per license year with a properly filled. Selection of a site must consider the normal mini-mum (not average) low temperature in an area. Fishing for redfish is illegal in federal waters. Average Size 18 inches, 2. In Texas freshwater drum may spawn in April or May. Means & Methods: Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait. Visit San Antonio 203 S. Gar Bag & Length Limits. Big daddy black drum caught and released in Matagorda by Austin Renaud. The exact shades of the colors are dependent on the habitat and geographic region. The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to 9 nautical mile in the Gulf of Mexico, and to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and possessed in state waters or landed in this state. Neill, and David Abrego CCA Marine Development Center Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) 4300 Waldron Road Corpus. Average Size Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. **Sportsmen can keep one fish over the 26-inch limit per day out of the three total reds allowed per day. Section 57. Code § 47. Laboratory experiments in Texas (Neill 1987; Holt et al. These devices, subject to restrictions listed, may be used to take fish and other aquatic life in Texas public waters. Red Drum are managed in each Gulf and South Atlantic state by specific catch/harvest regulations. This suspends the bait up in the water column, and the sounds and vibrations from the cork attract the redfish. A single black drum measuring 52 inches may be retained and counts in the daily bag. The story of red drum conservation in Texas begins in the late 1970s, when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and members of the newly formed Gulf Coast Conservation Association (now CCA) took notice of declining red drum abundance and began pursuing aggressive legislative and management actions aimed at recovery of red. Official State salt water fish . (ii) Caddo Lake (Marion and Harrison counties). However, the Red Drum has been known to reach considerable sizes as they age, with the largest recorded Red Drum weighing just over 94 pounds, caught in 1984 on Hatteras Island. 4 kg at the time of harvest. The weight of a Red Drum can vary significantly depending on its age and size. 9651) was found in Braunig Reservoir redThis spot is supposed to mimic the eye, so predators attack the wrong end of the fish, giving them extra time to escape. A. 20. Unlawful to gig, spear, or gaff red drum. Fishing mortality from 2017 -present averages 0. Then one might wonder, “What is the legal size of a redfish?” Redfish must be between the ages of 18 and 27 inches (slot limit). Body is copper-bronze, fading to a lighter belly. 2 g) are stocked at 1 000 fry/m 3. Bow Fishing Regulations. 3 kg). Daily bag limit: 3 fish per person per day. For the first 14 days in December, the bag and possession limit is two, and flounder may be taken by. Presentation is key to catching flood-tide reds — you want to make sure your bait is in a fish’s vision. Marlin Bag & Length. In the late 1980s red drum was overfished, thus several emergency closures were established to reduce fishing pressure and allow the stock to rebuild. While these fish both tend to range from 5-30 pounds, black drum eventually outgrow redfish—reaching a maximum size of around 100 pounds compared to 90 pounds. Fate of legal size red drum (n=1,246) in the large mesh estuarine gill net fishery. B. A 7- or 7. 1, 2022. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates that sales of illegally caught fish — including red snapper, tuna, amberjack, grouper and red drum from a network of about a dozen unlicensed. Stocking Most fingerling red drum are stocked into ponds for growout at a rate of 2,000 to 4,000 per acre. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 26 inches in total length. Alex Suescun 2022 Redfish (Red Drum) Regulations. The daily pocket limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. 1, 2022. The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to 9 nautical mile in the Gulf of Mexico, and to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and possessed in state waters or landed in this state. The redfish restrictions vary by region in Florida, so it is important to know where you are fishing and what regulations apply. One. 66. Minimum size: 9 inches. In addition to these 3 states, Texas allows you to keep one bull redfish per year. Before you get too excited thinking that you can catch a 90-pound fish to feed your family for weeks, you should know a few things. No person shall harvest in or from the waters of the State of Florida at any time, or unnecessarily destroy, any redfish of total length less than 18 inches, nor greater than 27 inches. • Flounder: 10 fish, no minimum size. 1988) that ranges throughout the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) from northern Mexico to the Florida Keys and along the East Coast of the United States to Massachusetts (Matlock 1980; Murphy and Taylor 1990; Porch et al. Federal law also regulates species between 9. Red drum were sometimes found right in our canal (about 1. Leader: 10 to 20 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon; Hook: #2 to 3/0 size circle hook or J-hook; Weight: 1/4 to. ocellatus; and sheepshead, A. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. "Slot" may also refer to a fish within the size limits one can keep. Austin, TX 78744 (512) 389-4800 (800) 792-1112Feeding habits, seasonal diet variation, and predator size-prey size relationships of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were investigated in Galveston Bay, Texas through stomach contents analysis. Also known as redfish. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. 4200 Smith School Rd. The world record red drum weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and hailed from North Carolina. The proposed change to red drum fishing regulations comes after CRD conducted a satisfaction survey in 2022, as well as two town hall meetings in June 2022, to assess angler and. The states with magazine restrictions are Washington, Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado, and California. The extensive list includes largemouth bass, grass carp, striped mullet and red shiner. The current Texas record is 55 pounds. Pyramid Sinker. B. Synonyms and Other Names: redfish. Texas Parks and Wildlife will incorporate the details of these new regulations into the 2022-23 edition of its Outdoor Annual. In Texas freshwater drum are ubiquitous exclusive of the Panhandle. Reds are one of the drum species,. Size and creel limits for spotted seatrout, flounder, red drum and weakfish taken in inland waters are the same as the recreational limits for those species in adjacent joint and coastal waters. The regulation changes are as follows: Sam Rayburn Reservoir (Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Sabine, and San Augustine counties) —. Trout . 6 kg. Fishing for young red drum (<15 lb) employs the same basic tactics, gear, and areas used to catch spotted seatrout. Swordfish7,14. A total of 598 red drum ranging from 291–763 mm total length were collected and their stomach contents analyzed during fall 1997 and spring 1998. The monster black drum that Alistair Bremner caught very likely was a world record — at more than 122 pounds, 4 feet long and nearly as big around. The higherMinimum size: 19 inches Possession limit: Unlimited. They are raised naturally with no hormones, antibiotics, pesticides or GMOs. Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766) Common name: Red Drum. 1981). This reservoir has a special regulation on red drum. The lake record weighed 14. Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-1400. See bag and size limits. Three-year-old red drum typically weigh 6-8 lb. No more than one lawful gill net can be used recreationally. 078 annually and is relatively stable. Bigeye Tuna8: To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Bones Fishing Guide Service (San Antonio, Calaveras Lake) This is one of the best guide services operating on Calaveras Lake for big redfish and catfish. Red drum: 18 inches minimum size limit, possession limit of 3 fish per person per day. Even though they get huge, the ideal black drum for dinner is typically under 5 pounds. One fish over 52 inches may be kept as part of the daily limit, but the flesh of those fish typically contain parasitic worms, making them undesirable for the table. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. There's also American eel, longnose and spotted gar and four types of catfish: channel, blue, yellow. Game fish may be taken only by pole and line (which includes rod and reel), except as otherwise provided in this guide. on March 12, 2016. 4VAC20-280-30. Implement largemouth bass harvest regulations for soon to be opened Bois d’Arc Lake to establish a 16-inch maximum size limit and exceptions for temporary possession of 24-inch bass for weighing as potential ShareLunkers. Keep the boat about 15-20 feet from the rocks and work the jig (with bait or without) a foot or so from the bottom. . In 1925 the Legislature first enacted length measurements for marine finfish. 4. B. Get directions. The largest recorded red drum was 59 inches and 98 pounds. However, about five years ago, an exception was made. General Regulations. 894. The Laguna Madre is the longest and largest of seven estuarine systems in Texas and is one of six hypersaline bays worldwide in which the water is saltier than normal seawater (Figure 1. You. Minimum Size: Legal anglers may keep trout over 15″ and less than 19″ only. There are also limits on the number of fish that you can keep, so make sure to check your state’s regulations in this article for more information. 38 years (a few individuals as old as 60 have been reported in other states). 1, 2023 through Aug. Minimum size is 20 in. Note: The legal minim size was 14 inches TL at. The red drum and black drum are close cousins, but man are they different. Culling of striped bass and hybrid striped bass is prohibited. 4200 Smith School Rd. In 1979 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department adopted the techniques pioneered by Arnold to stock an incredible 15 million red drum up and down the coast. 020 (b) of this code and: (1) fails to keep with the fish a document or documents that verify the place of origin of the fish; or. a One black drum over 52" allowed as part of the daily bag. Taxonomy: available through. In the wild, female red drum may produce up to. Mary's St. drum. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Red drum larvae feed primarily on zooplankton (Figure 1). Shark Bag & Length Limits. Dozens of drum species are found in tropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and in the Gulf Mexico. Anglers new to South Texas may be surprised to know that coastal Red Drum, commonly called Redfish, can be caught in two freshwater lakes near San Antonio. red drum. Red Drum The Red Drum, also known as Channel Bass, Redfish, Spottail Bass or simply. For red drum, minimum length = 20 inches, with no maximum length limit. To ensure the sustainability of these species and preserve the ecosystem, it’s crucial to understand Louisiana’s regulations on saltwater fish limits. class. Hybrid Bass. 4 . Females are 25 inches (63 cm) long on average. 2 Baths. If you are not required to hold a fishing license, this endorsement is not required. Local Information. They spawn in the Gulf, possibly near the mouths of passes. Other Although freshwater drum is considered a rough fish by many anglers, it is prized as a food fish in some areas. They are the largest fish in the drum family, and some have even grown. “When I first saw it, from 15 or 20 yards out, I saw all the specks and it looked like a big trout,” Alvarez recounts. For larger bull drum with cut bait, stick to a 5/0 circle hook. Selective feeding pat-Back is highly-arched and gray or black, fading to a lighter belly. Fishing with a Boat. S. The market size of red drum has shifted over time from 0. ) 1 In Texas, the Laguna Madre is divided into two sections: Photo courtsey of Texas Aquatic Science ©2019, (Rosen Rudolph) The Upper. Daily bag = 3 fish. 18 inches long. 894. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. The average weight of black drum landed by recreational anglers in Texas is about 3 pounds. Texas is number one in the nation hybrid striped bass, red drum (aka redfish), and marine shrimp production, number two in crawfish production, and number four in catfish production. Capture Citation: RELEASE ONLY. This rig consists of a sliding egg sinker, swivel, leader, and hook. About the Area. During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept when tagged with a completed Red Drum Tag. This will run over the course of all 3 weekends and photos must be submitted by 8:00pm on the 6 th, 13th and/or 20. on the 14,447 red drum tagged in Texas from 1975 to 1982, with a recovery rate of . Gigging, spearing, or snatching redfish is prohibited in the state of Florida. Heated water can be used but it is not readily available in most areas. Immediately call (800) 962-6625 to report a stranded marine mammal. There are no barbels on the chin, and. The world record red drum weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and hailed from North Carolina. Increases of about two inches per year occur after that. A popping cork is placed 18–36 inches above the hook. to change the appearance of fish subject to size limits or daily creel limits or remove the head and/or tail from fish that are regulated by a size limit so that they may not be measured and/or. Lake Texoma Min Length: none. In Texas, the political confrontation resulted In the prohibi­ tion of sale of red drum caught from Texas waters. 3 kg). Digital licenses are available through online purchase only. in the north central Gulf of Mexico that spawning size red fish was an exploitable resource if a market could be developed, the Council moved in 1981 to prepare a profile on red drum. 2 g) are. Joan Holt and C. To fish for sheepshead in Texas, all anglers are required to have a fishing license. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. Provides a red drum tag for persons that are exempt from the purchase of a resident or non-resident fishing license of any type or duration;Yes, you can eat a black drum. 31, 2024. A total of 31 nuclear-encoded microsatellites and an ~ 370 base pair fragment from the &#39;control&#39; region of mitochondrial (mt)DNA were employed to resolve potential forensic issues relating to legal sale of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) harvested from offshore aquaculture operations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The black drum, Pogonias cromis, is a chunky, high-backed fish of the croaker family. Commercially caught red drum must be 18 to 25. —The Channel Bass (Red Drum) is hereby adopted as the official State salt water fish of the State of North Carolina. When: March 16, 2019. One black drum over 52" allowed as part of the daily bag. The state record black drum weighed 81 pounds and was 51. And those fish can be big.