If you’re in the market for a tasty meal that can be cooked quickly, then look no further. This black drum fish recipe is perfect for those days when you’re running low on time, but need to whip up a quick meal. Plus, this simple black drum fish recipe can be made in your own kitchen!
Feeding habits
Black drum, also known as sea drum, is a large fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It reaches sexual maturity around four to five years of age. In North America, it is found from southern New England to Florida, and along the Gulf of Mexico.
Adult black drum usually prefer shrimp and squid. They have a large number of barbels underneath their lower jaws, which allow them to locate food using touch. Their mouths are lined with highly developed pharyngeal teeth, which help to crush oysters and barnacles. The pharyngeal teeth help to digest food before it is swallowed.
Juveniles of the black drum feed on small crabs, worms, and other invertebrates. These juveniles often spend their lives in estuaries, settling around oyster beds or other shallow structures.
They are also preyed upon by birds of prey. This species of fish can be very dangerous to humans. Fortunately, the worms it consumes are not hazardous to humans.
A typical mature red drum weighs around 100 pounds (45.0 kg). As a rule, this fish lives up to 50 years. During this time, it feeds on several prey species of commercial and recreational value.
For the first year of its life, young drum reside in estuaries. After this, they migrate to spawning grounds. When a male reaches sexual maturity, he produces a loud drumming sound.
In the Gulf of Mexico, black drum spawn in January to April. Females can produce up to two million eggs a season. However, they spawn less frequently in other parts of the Atlantic Ocean.
The largest of the drum species spawns nearshore in winter. The eggs measure 1.0 mm in diameter.
Typically, the drum comes to shallow waters in large schools. Often, these groups of drum leave turbid plumes in the air. Some fishermen use artificial baits and spoons, which are sometimes caught by the drum.
During the summer months, the black drum’s diet mainly consisted of squid, mollusks, and crustaceans. In the fall, the drum switched from a crustacean-dominated diet to a boney-fish-dominated diet.
During the winter, the drum decreased its consumption of blue crabs, while remaining consistent with its diet during the spring and summer.
Cooking methods
Black drum fish is popular for its taste and texture. It is also an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids. These nutrients help fight heart disease, arthritis, and obesity. In addition, these fish are easy to catch.
There are several ways to cook black drum. You can pan fry or bake it. They are high in protein and contain iron and calcium. When prepared correctly, they are delicious.
Before you begin cooking, make sure that the drum you plan to use has been cleaned. If it isn’t, you might end up ingesting the bones. To remove the scales, you can use a paint scraper.
Once the scales are off, cut the fillet into 1-inch pieces. You can then fry it in vegetable oil or a cast iron skillet. The flesh is white and flakes easily. A touch of butter may also be added to the pan.
Black drum is best cooked over an open flame. You can cook it on a gas grill, but you should lower the heat before putting it on. This will prevent the fish from sticking to the grill.
Another method is to boil it in water. You can also soak it in a salt solution for an hour. After this, you can pan sear it in a pan with a little olive oil.
You can also put the black drum on a baking sheet and broil it. For the most part, the skin doesn’t cook well in this method. However, it makes cleanup quick and easy.
You can even prepare a smoothie out of the black drum. It is a rich, tasty drink that can be prepared up to eight hours in advance.
You can add optional toppings such as shallots, mushrooms, crabmeat, and even green beans. Add a little lemon juice to keep the veggies warm.
Finally, remember that the black drum is also a good source of protein and omega-three fatty acids. It is an excellent choice for a light meal. Whether you choose to pan fry it or bake it, it is a delicious fish.
Companions
Black Drum fish are known to be common in coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. They are also found along the southern and eastern coasts of the United States.
The black drum is a large, bottom-dwelling fish that feeds on crustaceans and invertebrates. In addition to mollusks and crabs, it is also known to consume shrimp. It has a high, arched back and a short body, usually weighing about 50 to 100 pounds.
When searching for food, the black drum tails. This tailing creates small craters in the bottom. Also, the fish uses a sense of smell to locate its prey.
The black drum is a nocturnal predator that prefers warm waters. However, it is not shy about moving to lower salinity water.
As with other species, the black drum uses its barbels to detect its prey. Barbels are located on the chin, under the lower jaw, and on the sides. These barbels help the fish sense its food by feeling the sand.
The drum also uses its teeth to crush its prey. The pharyngeal teeth in the drum’s throat are very strong. They help the fish crush its shell before swallowing.
Another type of predator is the bird of prey. Other predators include humans.
The black drum is relatively easy to catch. To catch it, anglers should use a jig that has a shrimp tipped feather. This bait can be cast up current and bounced on the bottom, near the mouth of the fish.
Black Drums can be caught year-round in Texas. They tend to live in coastal bays, estuaries, mud flats, and coastal marshes. Usually, they are found near docks, bridge pilings, and jetties.
If you want to catch the black drum, you should use a heavy jig that will get to the fish’s strike zone. Using a spoon or peeled shrimp can also produce good results.
You can also try fishing from a well-lit structure. Often, the drum will bite the natural bait more than an artificial one.
During the spawning season, the largest adult drum fish gathers in deep passes to spawn. Throughout the winter, all sizes of drum tend to travel deeper.
Food safety
The black drum is a popular game fish. However, it is not always a safe meal. Here are a few tips to help you eat safely.
The drum is a very large fish. The largest individuals weigh over 90 pounds. Smaller individuals are safer to eat. If you choose to eat a smaller drum, consider it a sashimi. You can find small black drummers in the ocean or at your local fish store.
The meat of the drum is white and tender. It has a mild flavor. Unlike other seafood, it does not absorb much fat. It also has a small sweet taste. Black drum can be baked, pan-fried, or cooked over a fire.
Before you eat a black drum, check the date on the packaging. This is important because the fish can spoil. Once you have prepared the meat, put it in a bag and place it in the freezer. When you are ready to cook, add a little butter or olive oil. Make sure the drum is cooked to a medium-well-done level.
Black drum spawns in the Gulf of Mexico. They are often found in deep water, but they can migrate south when the water temperatures drop. A female can spawn up to 60 million eggs per year. In addition, the male produces a very loud drumming sound.
Black drum can be a great source of vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. These are essential nutrients to maintain healthy bones and a good cardiovascular system. But before you go fishing for these mighty fish, check out the Michigan Sea Grant’s Eat Safe Fish guide.
Several health agencies have published guidelines for safe eating of the drum. The Michigan Department of Community Health lists a single meal a month of the fish from Saginaw Bay as safe.
The larger black drum has a coarser, firmer flesh than the smaller ones. Larger black drum can be difficult to scale. Generally, the larger fish are more likely to have worms. While it is possible to remove worms from a fish, many fishermen do not bother.