How to Go Pompano Fishing: A Complete Guide

Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), also known as Florida Pompano, is best described as a puny fish that packs a punch. These little rascals rarely exceed 3 pounds in size, but put up such a fight that anglers keep coming back for more. 

Their sweet, mild filets make Pompano among the tastiest fish you can catch. In fact, this is one of the most expensive eating fish on any menu. Just imagine: all the delicacies of the Atlantic—from Swordfish to Snapper—and Pompano ranks among the best of them!

Though Pompano fishing is almost always synonymous with Florida, this species swims all the way from Massachusetts down to Brazil, including in the Gulf of Mexico. However, they’re quite particular when it comes to their preferred temperature and will seek out waters in the 70–80 degree range. This, more than anything, is the key to finding them in the right place at the right time.

How to Identify Pompano

Sporting a compact body and short snout, Pompano are similar in size and shape to a football. They typically measure less than 17 inches long and weigh under 3 pounds, but they can reach as big as 9 pounds. These fish are mainly silver with a yellow shade along their bellies and on their fins. 

What makes Pompano tricky to recognize is their striking resemblance to Permit, which swim in the same waters. However, Permit grow much larger and don’t usually dawn the yellow markings a Pompano may have. 

That said, size and color are not the most reliable indicators. Anglers catch plenty of small Permit as well as chrome-colored Pompano which look, at first glance, identical. So, here are some additional clues:

• Dorsal and anal fins. The dorsal and anal fins on a Pompano are short and stick out relatively straight. On a Permit, these fins grow longer and extend toward the back toward the tail.
• Forehead. Pompano have no forehead, which is why they always appear to be frowning (just imagine this fish pouting as it says, “Pompa-no!”). Compare this to a Permit, which has a much steeper slope leading from the snout to the dorsal fin. Overall, mature Permit have greater body depth and appear almost diamond in shape.
• Eyes. Aside from looking grumpy, you’ll notice that Pompano have very dark, distinct pupils surrounded by a pale iris. Meanwhile, a Permit’s eyes look entirely black or brown, making them appear more bug-eyed.
• Nostrils. Lastly, the nostrils on a Permit are far more pronounced than they are on a Pompano. They often stand out so much that they look like a couple of spots in front of each eye.

You can learn more about the difference between Pompano and Permit here.

As a distant cousin of Jack Crevalle, Pompano can also be confused with this inshore species. However, there are much more obvious clues to look for when comparing these fish. 

Best Pompano Fishing Spots 

Pompano have no mecca or “fishing capital of the world.” Your chances of finding them are equally good in a variety of places, the key is timing and knowing exactly where to look. While Florida undoubtedly sees the most Pompano action, it’s not the only place where you can catch one. In fact, anglers throughout the Gulf of Mexico have a chance of filling their coolers with these tasty tidbits. 

Florida 

In constant pursuit of balmy waters, Pompano don’t just move inshore and offshore, but also from north to south. They cling to the Panhandle during summer and head toward the Everglades come fall. October is usually when anglers see these fish passing through Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and the Ten Thousand Islands. 

Around the same time, anglers on the Atlantic side see Pompano passing below the Florida-Georgia line. Some top areas for fishing include Sebastian Inlet, Juno Beach, and Hobe Sound. By winter, beaches as far south as Miami experience great Pompano action, especially after a cold front.

Spring sees Pompano heading back north for summer, and the period between February and May can offer some of the best action all year. Pompano season stays open year-round in Florida, with a bag limit of six fish per angler. Just beware that any fish kept must be at least 11 inches in fork length. 

Alabama 

Just next door, the coastal waters of Alabama see their own migration of Pompano as the seasons change. This varies slightly from year to year, as the fish are motivated by changes to water temperature and not the calendar. But you can usually expect inshore fishing to pick up in spring—sometimes as early as February. 

Some anglers claim this first run is the best Pompano fishing Alabama has to offer, while others will tell you that late summer and fall are better. The warmer months certainly promise good fishing for Pompano nearshore, but when it comes to the best surf fishing… Well, we’ll let you decide. 

As go-to fishing destinations, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are a couple of prime locations for Pompano fishing in Alabama. The season stays open all year and the local bag limit is three fish with a minimum fork length of 12 inches.

Texas

Pompano aren’t nearly as prolific in Texas—in fact, there’s no need for size or bag limits around here! But if you know where to look and time it right, you can hook this prized game fish without leaving shore. 

January and February mark peak Pompano season in the Texas surf. Once again, you’ll want to stick to the shallows, such as beaches, passes, and piers. While you could get lucky casting a line virtually anywhere along the coast, South Padre Island is especially good. When the winter is mild enough, the surf in this area stays warmer than in other parts of Texas. If you’re fishing in fall, head just a little further out into the bays.

How to Fish for Pompano 

Arguably the most popular way to catch Pompano is by surf fishing. Some of the best spots include beaches and surf zones, as well as coastal structures like piers and bridges. Boating gives you access to flats, passes, and inlets where these fish also like to feed, sometimes in schools as large as hundreds of fish. 

Pompano mainly feed on crustaceans such as crabs, shrimp, and clams. When the tide stirs up the sand, these critters get stirred up too and become easy pickens. So look for a gently ebbing surf or turbid water where a feeding frenzy might occur. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean fishing in muddy water; overall, you want to seek out clear shallows (sometimes referred to as “green” water or “pretty” water).

You can fish for Pompano using live bait or artificials. Either way, you’ll want to keep your hook close to the seafloor, since this is where Pompano nibble away at those crustaceans. You can get great results by live bait fishing with a simple rig that includes a circle hook and a sinker on your line. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment, though—try dragging artificials through the sand or bounce them off the bottom to mimic live prey. Jigging like this is especially effective around structures like piers. Color is a major factor when using artificials; Pompano often go for orange, green, yellow, pink, or tan.

Fly fishing for Pompano is also fantastic, whether you’re casting from shore or poling the flats. Scour the grass flats and shoals along Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway for these fish and pay special attention to any rays or manatees you might see, since they tend to kick up the sand beneath them and there may be a hungry Pompano following along. 

Pompano Fishing Baits

As we’ve already said, you can fish for Pompano using live bait, dead bait, or artificials. The conditions where you’re fishing will dictate exactly what works, but you can expect to use some of the following:

Pompano Fishing Gear

Whether you’re new to angling or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s easy to start fishing for Pompano. In most cases, you can head out with a 7′ medium rod, a 2500–3000 series spinning reel, and some 10 lb braided line. Avid anglers recommend adding a 20–60 lb fluorocarbon leader.

For some serious surf fishing, you’ll want to level up to an 11–14′ rod, a 5500 or 6500 series spinning reel, and 15–20 lb test line. This allows you to cast further into the surf with heavier sinkers. Have in mind that you’ll be fishing several rods like this from sandspikes while you wait for a bite, rather than holding them the entire time.

To complete your Pompano setup, use a double- or triple-hook rig with a pyramid sinker to keep the surf from kicking up your bait too much. Circle hooks sized 2/0–4/0 are the most popular choice. Pack a range of sinkers so you can adjust depending on conditions—you’ll need 4–6 oz sinkers for rough surf, but no more than 1 oz for calm waters. 

Fly fishing for Pompano requires more diligent gear selection. A 6–8 wt rod will usually serve you well, depending on the waters you’re fishing and whether you plan to cast heavier, fast-sinking flies. Use a floating line in shallows less than 4 feet. If casting in deeper water, particularly where the current can be strong, you’ll want to use an intermediate line instead. Choose flies that sink quickly and resemble crustaceans or jigs, and opt for bright colors such as chartreuse, white, orange, yellow, or pink.

When to Catch Pompano 

Pompano are most comfortable swimming in waters between 70–80 degrees. This causes them to move inshore during fall and winter, when the shallows are warm but not too hot. Peak months for Pompano fishing in many areas run from October–November and again from February–April. 

Come summer, the deeper waters become more bearable and Pompano move offshore to spawn. It’s still possible to catch them when fishing nearshore or offshore at this time, but this is less popular because hunting these fish in the shallows offers more sporting fun.

Timing your trip right isn’t just about the season. Direct sunlight also influences water temperature, which can scare these fish into hiding past high noon. With this in mind, consider casting your line in the morning or evening hours on a hot day. Fishing a strong tide or choppy surf can also yield better results because this is when the sand and critters Pompano feed on get all stirred up.

Pompano: The Prize That Packs a Punch

With a little know-how, it’s easy to hook a Pompano—but really, you’re the one who’s going to be hooked. After all, these fish keep anglers coming back every year, from the far reaches of the Gulf down to the Everglades. One look at the little scowl on their face, and you can just imagine what sort of attitude they give! As one of the most expensive eating fish to boot, we think it’s fair to say that Pompano are worth their weight in gold.

What are your favorite Pompano fishing spots? Do you catch these fish on light tackle or are you a die-hard fly fisher? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Jacqueline

Jacqueline grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, always with an eye on the horizon to try and spot a shark fin. As a member of the FishingBooker team, she got to know the charter fishing industry by helping hundreds of captains market their trips online. She has also spent countless hours answering the internet’s most pressing questions about fish, such as: how do you tell all the different Salmon species apart? With 7 years of content marketing experience behind her, she eventually returned to her roots to focus on raising a family (and write about fish some more).