Larger, older fish are more commonly found in the saltier areas of an estuary (closer to the ocean) near oyster beds or other plentiful food sources.

In the western Atlantic, black drum are found from Nova Scotia to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Antilles (uncommon), and the southern Caribbean coast.

It has been reported that, in captivity, large drum were able to eat more than two commercial-sized oysters per kilogram of body weight each day.

Fishing advice for black drum along the east and southeast coasts of the United States often includes the suggestion to locate an oyster bed.

[10] Studies have reported black drum weighing more than 60 kg on the Atlantic coast and they are believed to live up to 60 years.

More scientifically, it can be used to determine whether a given sample of black drum is above or below expected weight, which may be related to a number of environmental conditions.

There are times when the older, larger fish are more readily caught on a 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.

[citation needed] 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, structure, or a boat channel near a rapid increase in depth and some tidal movement.

With stout tackle, black drum above 10 pounds (4.5 kg) are relatively easy for children to catch because they are not particularly skittish and do not easily come off once they are hooked.

Because bigger drum can make a long, strong run right after taking the bait, preventing broken line often requires a relatively light drag setting early in the fight.

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