Fish

Lorna drum

Lorna

Sciaena deliciosa

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

8–14 in.

Depth

3–150 ft.

Best time

Dawn and dusk.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Medium-size, silvery-gray to bronze drum with a darker back, a rounded snout, a small mouth underneath and a long dorsal fin with a notch.
Typical size: 8–14 in.
Maximum size: About 18 in.
Diet: Sand crabs (muy muy), worms, shrimp and small fish.
Behavior: Schools along sandy beaches in the surf zone; one of the most common beach catches in Peru.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Peru, Northern & Central Chile and Pacific Colombia & Ecuador. Sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters from Ecuador to northern Chile.
Habitat: Sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters from Ecuador to northern Chile.
Depth: 3–150 ft.
Fishing depth: In the surf, 3–15 ft.
Best season: All year; summer is best.
Best time: Dawn and dusk.
Best tides: Rising tide.
Best weather / conditions: Moderate surf.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Sinkers Sand rake

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters from Ecuador to northern Chile.
Rig up: Surf rod, 10–13 ft. 15–20 lb.
Pick your bait: Muy muy (sand crabs), worms and shrimp. Lures: Rarely.
Fish it: Cast a two-hook rig baited with muy muy into the troughs and wait with a tight line.
Time it: Dawn and dusk. Rising tide.

Fishing techniques: Cast a two-hook rig baited with muy muy into the troughs and wait with a tight line.
BigJoe's tip: Dig your own muy muy at the edge of the waves — it's the best bait.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Delicious, as its scientific name says — great in sudado, ceviche or fried.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Big swells and sneaker waves on the Humboldt coast.
Regulations: Peru sets a minimum size; check local rules. Each country sets its own rules: Chile requires a recreational fishing license (from Sernapesca) for sea and fresh water, and Peru and Ecuador have their own size limits and closed seasons. Marine reserves and some bays are closed — check local rules before you keep fish.
Conservation: Heavily fished; follow size limits.

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Sources & photo credits