Pompano A Saltwater Gamefish
One of the more popular inshore and nearshore game fish are the delicious and feisty pompano. Traditionally anglers would pursue pompano from the beach with long surf rods and sand fleas.
Recently we’ve started seeing large numbers of pompano in the lagoons while flats fishing. Sand fleas will do the job, but goofy jigs are the default when you don’t have the fleas.
Fishing for Pompano
Ever since the Ban the Nets constitutional amendment of 1992 we’ve seen a significant increase in the pompano population. Traditional pompano fishing has been on the beaches of Florida, and for the most part, this still rings true. However, over the last decade, we’ve noticed the return of pompano on the Indian River Lagoon in a variety of locations. This type of fishing makes Orlando fishing trips for families a fun activity during the right season and something I look forward to sharing with my customers and fishing friends.
A watchful eye for schooling pompano and skipping fish will often give up the pompano’s location. Having small jigs and a variety of lures will usually get the bite. The well-prepared angler targeting these tasty game fish will bring small crabs or sand fleas to the meeting.
Don’t count on the pompano to be there when you want them, but their still a great fish for the table and will give fishermen a tight line and a great fight on light spinning tackle.
While pompano is not your species for Florida sport fishing or the most common species of the lagoon, I choose to target other popular fish and I’m prepared for the appearance of pompano with an assortment of tackle and lures to present to them.
Pompano Information
Florida pompano is common in inshore and nearshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, along oyster banks, and over grass beds. They are often in turbid water and are found in water as deep as 130 feet.
Behavior:
These fish spawn offshore between March and September. Florida pampano feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, especially sand fleas. Florida Pompano Regulations
Remarks
The tide influences local movements, and temperature affects seasonal changes.
Regulations
11 inches to the fork of the tail, six per harvester.
State Record
Florida Record: 8 lb 4 oz, caught near Port St. Joe