Powerful copper-bronze sciaenid with a black spot on the tail base. Forages along marsh grass edges, oyster shoals, and shallow sandbars for crabs and baitfish.
Season
Late Spring through Autumn (May-November)
Where
Tangier Sound, Lower Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore marshes, Cape May surf, Virginia Beach
Salinity band
Brackish Estuarine (5 - 20 ppt)
Status
Native Chesapeake & Bay Species
How we fish for them
Cast paddle-tail swimbaits on 3/8oz jig heads or gold spoon lures into marsh drains. A medium-fast rod absorbs powerful drum surges while a smooth carbon drag controls runs.
Rod: 7'0" medium-fast spinning rod Reel: 3000-size reel with 20lb Braid / 25lb Leader
Gear for this in the catalog →Handle with care
Safe release: Wet hands or rubber net before handling to preserve protective slime layer.
Seasons & limits are the law's, not ours
Size, season and creel rules change; always verify with the official regulations before you fish. Maryland DNR regulations →
Profile last reviewed: August 2026