Texas Porch

Saltwater / Drum

Black drum

A reliable, hard-pulling fish that grows huge.

A coastal workhorse, good eating at the smaller end of the slot.

Daily limit

5 per day.

Size limit

14 to 30 inch slot.

Good to know

  • You may keep one black drum over 52 inches, but it counts as one of your five - it is not a bonus fish.

Source to confirm: TPWD Drum Bag & Length Limits

More saltwater fish

Others to target

Drum

Red drum (redfish)

Tightly managed with a slot limit and a trophy tag.

Daily:
3 per day.
Size:
20 to 28 inch slot (keep only fish between those sizes).
Details & official link ->

Trout

Recently changed

Spotted seatrout (speckled trout)

A coastal staple with a tight slot to protect breeding fish after hard winter freezes.

Daily:
3 per day.
Size:
15 to 20 inch slot.
Details & official link ->

Flatfish

Recently changed

Southern flounder

Great on the table, and the one you can also gig at night.

Daily:
5 per day - except November 1 to December 14, when the season is closed and you can't keep any.
Size:
15-inch minimum.
Details & official link ->

Other

Sheepshead

Hangs around jetties, piers, and pilings - good eating.

Daily:
5 per day.
Size:
15-inch minimum.
Details & official link ->

Official sources

Fishing rules for black drum come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the size and bag limit before you keep one.

Data vintage:
Built on the 2025-2026 license year
Last reviewed:
July 10, 2026

Before you act: Sizes and bag limits change, and saltwater rules change the most. The official TPWD pages are the final word. How to use Texas Porch carefully.