Distribution and gonadal development of black drum in Texas Gulf waters

From October 1975 through December, 1977, a high-opening fish trawl was used monthly in the Gulf of Mexico to determine the species composition and relative abundance of fishes. A total of 251 fish trawl samples were made in 5-9, 11-18, 20-27, 29-37 and 38-46 m zones off the central Texas coast. Black drum (Pogonias cromis) were collected during October 1975, January-April 1976 and November 1976-April 1977. The trawls captured 210 adult black drum between depths of 5 and 37 m; 176 of the fish were caught between 20 and 27 m. During November 1976, one 30-minute sample contained 101 black drum weighing a total of 354 kg. Black drum with maturing gonads were found during all months in which they were captured except October. Black drum apparently spawn in the Gulf between 7 and 31 m during the fall through spring period with peak activity during January-April.