Black Drum Tackle
The rod and reel combo we recommend for black drum fishing should be capable of handling 50lb braid. The rod should be 6’6″-7’6″ with a fast to extra-fast action. We prefer a rod that has a little more beef to the rod to handle these big fish and strong currents. The reel should have at least a 5:1 ratio. Do not be confused by the suggested lure weights specified on the rod blanks. These weights pertain to the size of lures that can be cast effectively using that rod.
Braided Line for Black Drum
The reel should be loaded with 50lb braid. Since braided lines have a thinner diameter and less water resistance, they provide an added advantage and allow the angler to hold bottom with lighter sinkers. The lack of stretch transmits even the softest of black drum hits back to the angler.
Black Drum Rigs
The basic rig consists of a 4-6ft length of 50lb fluorocarbon leader attached to the main line via a 100lb barrel swivel. A 2-6oz egg sinker threaded above the swivel use the smallest size that ensures the rig stays on the bottom). The rig is completed with a single 8/0 beak bait style hook.
Black Drum Tackle Checklist
- 6’6″ to 7’6″ fast to extra-fast conventional rod rated for 50lb braid
- Conventional reel with/without levelwind rated for 30-50lb braid
- 50lb braid
- 100lb barrel swivel
- 50lb fluorocarbon leader
- 2oz to 6oz egg sinkers
- 8/0 beak bait hook
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!
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Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Bluewater Carnage Casting Casting (conventional) rod - graphite composite - 6'6" - 7'10 - multiple models suitable for 10-130lb braid or mono Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct |  |
 | Shimano Teramar Northeast Inshore Casting Inshore conventional rod - 6'6" to 7'6" - multiple models suitable for 12-50lb braid or mono - medium to fast actions - lure weights from 1/2oz to 6oz Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | |  |
 | Penn Fathom Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 5 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Penn Torque Conventional Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 7 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Torium Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 14-50lb mono and 40-100lb braid - 6.2:1 gear ratio - 3 ball bearings - aluminum frame and side plates Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Talica Lever drag conventional reel - models rated for 40-150lb braid - 3.8:1 and 6.2:1 gear ratios - 7 ball bearings - great for butterfly jigging (this reel essentially replaced the Torsa) Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Fireline Braid Braided line - virtually no stretch - moss green color - very thin line diameter - available 6 to 80lb test and 110, 300, and 1500 yard spools Learn more and buy at Berkley Learn more and buy at Amazon |  | |
 | Mustad Beak Bait Hook 92553NP-BN - Opti-Angle Needle Point, chemically sharpened, Nor-Tempered, forged, reversed, extra strong, turned up tapered eye - Octopus style Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Mustad Rolling Swivel 77900 - Black Rolling Swivel w/round eye - available sizes/rating: 4/144lb, 6/118lb, 8/104lb, 9/77lb, 10/70lb, 12/49lb, and 14/42lb |
 | Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 4-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri TopKnot Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - additional abrassion resistance, lower diameter, invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 8-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Prospec Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear, blue, pink, brown colors - 20-200lb test and 25/33/75/100yd coils Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
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