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Catching Huge Black Drum at the Fulton Fishing Pier in Fulton, TX

Updated: Jan 4, 2023




If you are looking for a place to catch some of the most amazing fish in the world then The Fulton Fishing Pier is the perfect spot for you.




Fulton’s pier has been catching some huge black drums lately. People have been coming from all over the state just for this opportunity. The Fulton Fishing Pier has not been disappointing to anyone who has come out! You can’t beat catching one of these big fish at your own leisurely pace on this beautiful pier! Fulton Fishing Pier is one of Fulton’s best places to fish from. Fulton, Texas has been a great spot for fishing in the past and will continue to be a popular destination for fishermen around the state! We get lots of inquiries about the fish and how to catch them from the pier.






Sit back and enjoy some knowledge of how to land one of these “Big Uglies”




Caught on the New Fulton Fishing Pier in Fulton, Texas

To catch a Drum, you need to understand a few things.

For those who may not know this, A black drum is a Saltwater Fish. They can be up to 30 pounds, but some people have caught them with weights over 90! The mouth of this creature has teeth that can crush oysters or shellfish. The Fulton Fishing Pier has been catching some of the biggest black drums around.


You need to know the Black Drum.

Black drum larvae eat mostly zooplankton, and young black drums (less than 12in length) eat worms and small fish. Black drums are mostly bottom feeders, with adults eating mostly mollusks and crabs. In shallow water, they have been reported to feed with their heads down so that their tails show above the water's surface. Their sensitive chin barbels help locate food, and strong pharyngeal teeth crush the shells of these preferred foods. It has been reported that, in captivity, large drums were able to eat more than two commercial-sized oysters per kilogram of body weight each day. This translates into the potential for a 45-pounder to eat 40 oysters a day.



Black Drum of the Texas Gulf Coast

More information about the Black Drum.

Black drums are bottom feeders, so they are mostly caught with bait either on the bottom or suspended within a couple of feet of the bottom. Bottom fishing methods are used both in surf fishing and inshore fishing. Shrimp is a typical bait that works well; squid can also be used and is less subject to bait stealing by hardhead catfish and Atlantic croakers which often frequent the same waters. There are times when the older, larger fish are more readily caught on half or a quarter of a blue crab with the top shell removed and cut or broken to fit on a 4/0 to 9/0 hook. This type of fishing is often combined with chumming, a baiting practice that involves scattering bits of fish parts and blood into the water as an attractant. Sometimes black drums are caught on spoons and jigs.




Black drums are reported to mouth a natural bait, so anglers need to wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Once a big adult drum grabs the bait, it takes off with gusto and can put up quite a fight. An unsecured rod can easily be pulled into the water. Landing these big fish on light tackle can be challenging, and since drums are primarily scent-based feeders, there is a little disadvantage in using heavier lines and tackle. A 40-lb braided line with a comparable weight fluorocarbon leader is a good compromise between castability and strength. However, big drums are frequently caught with everything from 8-lb monofilament to 100-lb braided lines with heavy steel leaders.



An effective strategy for fishing from a boat is to select a spot with a sandy bottom or oyster bed where food is plentiful at a time of day with some tidal movement. Pier or bank fishing should target jetties, structures, or a boat channel near a rapid increase in depth and some tidal movement. With stout tackle, black drums above 10 pounds are relatively easy for children to catch because they are not particularly skittish and do not easily come off once they are hooked. Because a bigger drum can make a long, strong run right after taking the bait, preventing a broken line often requires a relatively light drag setting early in the fight. You’ll also need some sort of drop net to pull these monsters up to the pier. There have been recent reports of people catching up to 11 in one night.



One researcher reported good success with trotline fishing techniques, which he used to catch a large sample of black drums for tagging and scientific study.

Some states, such as Texas (as of summer 2017), allow spearfishing for black drums which often frequent jetties and other near-shore structures.




The Fulton Fishing Pier is located in Fulton Texas and it’s a great spot to catch all types of fish, but Black Drum is one of their best! The pier also offers amenities such as a new snack shop, tackle shop, public restrooms, bait shops, and restaurants within walking distance for those long fishing trips.


Eating Black Drum

Black drums are edible, with a moderate flavor, and are not oily. Some restaurants in the southern US serve smaller black drums. The big drum can be challenging to clean; removing the large scales is a challenge. Many fishermen prefer to fillet with an electric knife, first removing the fillet from along the backbone, and then using the electric knife to cut the fillet from the skin and scales. Fish over 15 pounds can become tough and have a consistency comparable to chicken, rather than the flakey texture of many species of fish. 


Plan a trip to Fulton, Texas

A coastal town in the heart of beautiful Aransas County, Texas. Fulton is a gem of small towns throughout Lone Star State.





Fulton, Texas Waterfront

The Pier is located at Fulton Harbor Park. There are some great hotels, bars, restaurants, and bait shops within walking distance of the pier. You can visit our page on accommodations and book a room or an Airbnb nearby. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, we have plenty of options for camping as well! Come see what all the fuss is about in this small town with big attractions!


We recommend these hotels as they are within walking distance of the pier:



You can search also our entire accommodations map that shows everything available for the area. Some places may even have their own private fishing piers:





Here is the address to the Fulton Fishing Pier.



We are RockportFulton.com your personal guide to everything in the beautiful Aransas County of Texas and we have a lot for you! Be sure to visit our Home Page, where there will be lots more information available on all things local including events going on now or coming soon that might pique your interest as well as fun facts about this area’s rich history, and things to explore.


Here are some helpful links for things around the area


Take a look around Fulton Texas:


Check out some items we have in our shop





Who we are

The RockportFulton.com website is a comprehensive guide to the towns of Rockport and Fulton, Texas. The website provides a wealth of information about the local area, including events, activities, and attractions.



Arial View of the Rockport Texas Waterfront
Rockport Texas USA


Visitors to the website can find information about local festivals, markets, and events, as well as details about local businesses, restaurants, and accommodations. The website also features a calendar of events, so visitors can easily plan their trip and make the most of their time in Rockport and Fulton.


In addition to providing information about the local area.


RockportFulton.com is also a great resource for those who are interested in the history and culture of Rockport and Fulton. The website includes articles and photos that highlight the rich history of the towns and their unique character.


Overall, the RockportFulton.com website is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to Rockport and Fulton, or for those who simply want to learn more about these charming coastal towns.



The Town of Fulton Texas at sunset
The Town of Fulton Texas

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