Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Black Drum in Tampa Bay & Charlotte Harbor june fishing.

  • Pogonias cromis
  • Seasonal Movement
  • Fair

Summer fish on structure.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Saltwater) before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Black Drum · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Pre-spawn concentrations forming. Typical water temp: 54–62°FGoodFeb — Peak Spring black drum spawn — fish in passes. Typical water temp: 58–66°FPeakMar — Peak Peak Gulf spawn. Typical water temp: 62–70°FPeakApr — Good Spawn winding down. Typical water temp: 68–76°FGoodMay — Good Resident pattern. Typical water temp: 72–80°FGoodJun — Fair Summer fish on structure. Typical water temp: 80–84°FFairJul — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FFairAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FFairSep — Good Fall feeding. Typical water temp: 78–84°FGoodOct — Good Same. Typical water temp: 70–78°FGoodNov — Good Pre-spawn movement. Typical water temp: 62–70°FGoodDec — Good Pre-spawn concentration. Typical water temp: 56–62°FGood

Migration pattern

Pre-spawn concentrations at Gulf passes January–February; peak spawn February–March; resident year-round.

Best locations

  • Skyway bridges
  • Egmont Key
  • Boca Grande Pass
  • Charlotte Harbor flats

Top lures

  • Whole blue crab on bottom
  • Live shrimp
  • Cut clam
  • Cut crab
  • Fresh shrimp

Black Drum in other regions

Delaware Bay →Chesapeake Bay (Lower) →Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore →North Carolina Southern Coast →South Carolina Coast →Central Florida East Coast →All black drum regions →

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Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Tampa Bay & Charlotte Harbor.

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