Characteristics of the spring black drum sport fishery in three selected Texas bays

Date

1982

Authors

Campbell-Hostettler, P.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Branch

Abstract

From February through April 1981, recreational fishermen were surveyed at pre-selected boat ramps in Galveston, Matagorda, and Corpus Christi Bays to determine black drum (Pogonias cromis) catch rates of private boat fishermen who fished during the annual black drum spawning season and to compare the results with the regular random creel survey in the low use season. During this period, 1256 fishermen (fishing target bays and adjacent passes or jetties) were interviewed on weekday and weekend days. The estimated harvest of black drum in Galveston Bay was 1089 fish (9398 kg), in Matagorda Bay 718 fish (7575 kg) and in Corpus Christi Bay 1040 fish (10,140 kg). For all bay systems combined 25% of the black drum landed were females. The mean catch rate for black drum was .09 + .02 fish/man-h. The most successful drum baits were crabs (Callinectes spp.), dead shrimp (Penaeus spp.) and sea lice (Squilla empusa). A special survey of this fishery is not recommended, however, and increase in the sample size of the regular surveys would probably insure the monitoring of the spring run.

Description

23 pgs.

Keywords

sport fishing, black drum, Pogonias cromis, catch/effort, harvesting

Citation