Catching these two inshore fishes is no less than a prize. The Atlantic coast fishes add to the angler’s fishing experience. Today we will discuss what are the things that make them different from each other. Both these fish have unique characteristics.

They are popular among anglers for their fighting ability and culinary value. Both of them are quite different in appearance and habitat. This article will explore the differences between sheepshead vs black drum. 

Differences between sheepshead vs black drum

Physical Appearance

Sheepshead: Sheepsheads are recognized by the silvery gray and black vertical stripes on their body. They have been nicknamed “convict fish” because of their stripes.

They have a minimum weight of 5 pounds and a maximum weight of 15 pounds. Sheepshead can weigh 3 to 6 pounds and reach 35 inches in length. Sheepshead is a small species of ocean. 

Black Drum: Their body color is gray to black and lightens with age. A standout feature of black drum is the barbels under their chin, which help them detect food in murky water. Catches are usually 5 to 30 pounds.  

The black drum is so named because of the different colors of its body and the drumming sound it produces. Black drum grow fast and are easy to find along the shoreline because they prefer to live in shallow water.

Habitat and Distribution

Sheepshead: They prefer inshore environments such as jetties, piers, docks, and oyster beds. They can feed on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp.

They thrive around rocky bottoms and other underwater structures where food is plentiful.

These fish are found along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico.  Sheepshead fishing is very popular due to its calm waters.

Black Drum: They are found in deep waters and feed on weed beds and muddy bottoms. They are often found in brackish water areas.

Found in the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, this fish can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and temperatures. 

Feeding Habits

Sheepshead: Sheepsheads are known for their aggressive eating habits. They are not as scary as other fish but they have teeth in their mouth.

Sheepsheads are known for crushing hard shells and primarily feed on crustaceans like crabs, shrimp, barnacles, and small mollusks.

Their sharp, strong teeth allow them to break through the shells of their prey. Sheepshead are opportunity feeders and prefer environments where food is abundant

Black Drum: Its teeth are round and located at the back of the throat. For this reason, they like to eat oysters, shrimp, mollusks, and crabs.

They have strong skin and are packed in a shell, so they are difficult to crush, but not difficult for a black drum. Black drums live in areas where there are high concentrations of shellfish. 

Taste

Sheepshead: The mild, firm, and white meat of sheepshead can be prepared using different cooking methods and its flavor remains intact. You can make sheepshead with baking, frying, and grilling cooking recipes. 

Fishing for Sheepshead falls into the category of best fishing for anglers. An inshore fishing trip for Sheepshead is nothing short of a sublime and rewarding experience.  

Black Drum: Their white and firm flesh is delicious and appealing with a mild flavor. You can cook black drum using slow cooking methods such as smoking and stewing. Black drums are strong fighters and rarely lose.

Fishing Techniques

Sheepshead: You can catch it using a simple gear. If you want to go on an interesting trip, prefer fishing for sheepshead. 

Using small jigs allows more water to be covered. They eat bait easily so whatever bait you are using make sure the bait is attached to the hook properly. When fishing near pylons and rock formations, vertical jigging is an effective technique.

These fishes fight above their weight but pose no threat to the angler as they do not bite humans. Spring is the best time to target sheepshead as they come closer to the surface to feed.

Black Drum: The black drum is a popular saltwater species that thrives under the shadow of redfish.

The black drum, which is a cousin of the redfish, is known by its name. It is an inshore fish and you can catch juvenile drum and occasionally adult drum on the shore.

You need a heavy tackle to target the black drum. Some anglers like to target black drum on flies, but it is a bit difficult to target drums using fly rods through fly fishing techniques.

These fishes can be easily caught by cut and live bait and the jigging technique proves to be effective. 

In deeper waters, shoreline, bridge, and boat fishing are popular methods for catching drums. You can catch black drums by using different fishing techniques. 

Conclusion 

There are many differences between the two but they can be targeted using the same techniques. A black drum is larger than a sheepshead and it grows in size easily.

Most people can hardly differentiate between the black drum vs sheepshead. The black drum is often mistaken for a sheepshead due to its black and silver stripes, but this is not the case as the black drum takes on a silvery gray color when it reaches maturity.

Every seafood lover has their preferences, so you may like the taste of one fish better than another. So plan a fishing trip and enjoy these fish.