Age, growth, and reproduction of black drum, Pogonias cromis, in northeast Florida were investigated between December 1983 and April1985. Male black drum began maturing at 450·499 mm total length (TL), with 50% of them reaching maturity at about 590 mm (age 4 or 5). Vitellogenesis began at 450·550 mm TL, with 50% of the females reaching maturity at 650·699 mm (age 5 or 6). Spawning occurred during January · April. Thin sections of otoliths displayed distinct opaque bands; the first three or

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... of these bands were verified by marginal increment analysis as being annuli deposited during March · May. The growth rate was about 100 mm yr-• for ages 1·3 and gradually slowed to 10·30 mm yr-' for ages 15·20. Male and female growth rates did not differ significantly, at least through age 4. Length at age was predicted well by the equation mm TL = 1172 mm (1 -exp (-0.12 (AGE+ 1.3)) ). The apparent maximum age of black drum is about 50·60 years.