Lake Texoma Fish Species - Freshwater Drum - Info from Jacob Orr Lake Texoma Fishing Guides
Lake Texoma Fish Species - Freshwater Drum - Info from Jacob Orr Lake Texoma Fishing Guides

Lake Texoma Fish Species: Freshwater Drum

Although freshwater drum is considered a rough fish by many anglers, it is prized as a food fish in some areas. Drum are also sought after as bait for other species. In Texas the rod and reel record exceeds 30 pounds, and the trotline record is 55 pounds.

Aplodinotus is Greek for “single back,” and grunniens is Latin for “grunting, referring to the fact that the species may be observed (or felt) making “grunting” sounds. Except for color, freshwater drum resembles its marine relative the red drum. The fish is deep-bodied and equipped with a long dorsal fin divided into two sections. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spines and 29-32 rays. Freshwater drum are silvery in color and lack the distinctive tail fin spot of red drum.

Freshwater Drum Biology

In Texas freshwater drum may spawn in April or May. Spawning seems to occur in open water. The eggs float until they hatch. Freshwater drum appear to be basically benthic, spending most of their time at or near the bottom. They feed primarily on fish, crayfish, and immature insects, often by rooting around in the substrate or moving rocks to dislodge their prey. The presence of heavy throat-teeth also allows them to consume mollusks to a certain extent. In Lake Erie, they have been found feeding on zebra mussels (although not nearly enough to control the zebra mussel population).

Freshwater Drum Distribution

Freshwater drum occurs in a variety of habitats, and is one of the most wide ranging fish latitudinally in North America. Populations can be found from Hudson Bay in the north to Guatemala in the south. ast to west, the species ranges from the western slopes of the Appalachians to the eastern slopes of the Rockies. In Texas freshwater drum are ubiquitous exclusive of the Panhandle.

Other Names for Freshwater Drum:

Drum Fish, Gaspergou, Gou, Sheepshead

Lake Texoma Fishing Guides

Jacab Orr’s Fleet of Lake Texoma Fishing Guides represent over one hundred years of collective fishing experience on North Texas’ largest sport fishing lake. Jacob’s boat skippers are professionals who are all equipped with the experience and tools needed to put you where the fish are and help you land them. Whether it’s your first striper fishing trip or your hundredth, these guys will provide the service you need to be successful. All of our Lake Texoma fishing guides are passionate about fishing, and equally passionate about making sure that everyone they take out on the lake has the best overall time possible.

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Lake Texoma Striper Fishing Guides - Dan Barnett & Jacob Orr Guaranteed Striper Fishing

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Jacob Orr is great. Went out with my family that included my 11 yo son. Jacob made sure to have my son close to him to show him what to do and help when the fish strike. We were cut a bit short because of big weather but we had a good haul for the time we were out. Jacob is very prefessional and personable. It felt like fishing with a buddy that knew his way around a rod and reel. We will use them again. – D. Johnson Google Review

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