how far in the surf to throw for pompano

Also, while targeting pompano, there is a great likelihood that you will catch other desirable species such as whiting (kingfish) and redfish. Fish are cold blooded just like a lizard, snake or turtle. But, they can live longer and grow to over 8 pounds, which would be a giant pompano. If you dont use a weight that holds your baits firmly to the bottom, you are going to have a tangled mess on your hands. Place some rags in a bucket and just cover the crabs with seawater. If you dont wish to tie your own, these Sea Strike 2 hook rigs on amazon look pretty good, A 2 hook rig serves several purposes. If youve never eaten pompano, youve done yourself a disservice. Pompano will be on one side of the bridge when the tide comes in and the other side when the tide goes out, so you will have to move your boat if the tide changes. Using live bait is often your best bait. Baitcasting rods and reels take a little more mastery to use but are ideal when you want to cast further distances. The key here is it being fresh. I typically tie my own so I can get them just like I want. These are most common for inshore fishing but can also be used in the surf if the conditions aren't too rough. As you get older, wielding bigger rods takes too much effort and is tough on your back and shoulders. Their undisputed favorite food is sand fleas (mole crabs). If youre using a spinning rod and reel, we recommend a 6 to 14 pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line. If the water further out from the beach looks cleaner that the water closer, then you should try the clean water first. Pompano are hard to find sometimes. These rod holders stick into the sand and free your hands to fight fish rig and re-cast lines. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you have. Finding a balance between a lure that casts well and makes an effective presentation for the location is the tough part. A 2500-4000 sized reel with 10-20 pound mono, Collection of pyramid sinkers varying in size, Tackle bag or bucket to hold your terminal tackle, These items are in addition to the "light" list, Extra fresh water to rinse any accidentally dunked reels, Scissors for cutting braid or baits (Fishbites). When using dead shrimp, break them in half, or about the size that will cover a 1/0 circle hook. The rig won't be this long once you're done, but that will give you more than enough line to work with. Check local rules on whether you're limited in terms of numbers of rods. Pompano are an extremely popular fish to catch for several reasons. In this video Capt. I have been focused on distance for the last three decades and I think you hit the important points, but I have two comments. Use something between and ounce. You just never really know what they are going to do next. "All of it was helpful. Cast out into smaller two to three-foot waves where pompano may be roaming. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. For example, my Lamiglas Infinity Surf 11 MHS comfortably casts lures from 1.5 to 5 ounces, but it casts 2.5- to 3-ounce lures the farthest. A couple of nor'easters will send the fish further south past Playa Linda and around Cape Canaveral. I like to fish the higher parts of the tide for just about everything. The best signs of life are feeding fish where you are at. Approved. Pompano love sand fleas as much as any shore bird. The only problem was that the bucktails fell well short of the rip. Instead, you should store them in 2 or 3 of damp sand, which will actually keep them alive for several days, if they dont get too hot. For example, my Lamiglas Infinity Surf 11 MHS comfortably casts lures from 1.5 to 5 ounces, but it casts 2.5- to 3-ounce lures the farthest. I can reach that, I thought, while eyeing the charts legend and estimating the distance. There arent many places Id rather be. If the annual cold snaps hit early, then the pompano will show up early and vice versa. This makes sense because they are from the jack family of fishes. If the water is dingy, you can still catch pompano, but you should probably use a bait that has some smell to it. They prefer water temps between 65 and 85 degrees with 68 degrees being the sweet spot. The simplest way is to scoop them out with your bare hands. By placing different baits and different colored beads and floats on each hook, you can eliminate less preferred options quickly. Some of the other alternatives are, scooping them with cheap metal collanders, toy plastic shovels, or buckets with holes drilled in the bottom. Ill break down all aspects of when, where and how to catch them so you can taste success when targeting Florida Pompano. Unless sand eels are present, I prefer wide-bodied metal lures, like a Point Jude Nautilus, Hopkins No=Eql or Acme Kastmaster that ride high in the water column and have good action. Surf Side Resort. Whether the bass have hunkered down on a piece of offshore structure or they are chasing around a school of baitfish, knowing how to add some yards to your cast can save your day in the surf. The tide is very important for beach fishing because more water allows more fish to come close to the beach. I sat for a while, casting occasionally, but mostly listening to the boat fishermen catch what sounded like very big stripers. When fishing with multiple rods, I always use pyramid or sputnik weights to anchor my baits in place. Even in locations like the Cape Cod Canal where big fish frequently break water 100-plus yards off the bank, many bassmany very large bassare caught just a short lob cast off the rocks. Last Updated: August 18, 2020 I am trying pompano fishing for the first time.". They can be found from Massachusetts all the way around Florida, throughout the gulf, and down towards South America. he lifespan is commonly only 3 to 4 years. To catch pompano from a beach or pier, look for schools of fish on the far side of wave breaks and sand bars. Assuming you arent allowed to access the beach with your vehicle, which is the case for many of us, a beach cart is a tremendous luxury. Just remember that those zones are a big deal. If we didnt hook up in the first few cranks, the rest of the retrieve was over dead water. So, I prefer a 2nd small soft sided cooler for that. Beach chair, bucket and cooler. Go Australia! Not only do theyincrease your odds by having more baits in the water at the same time, they also help you to more quickly dial into what the fish prefer on a given day. The best beach carts are those that come with the really big gray balloon tires. Known for its leaping acrobatics, the "Silver King" is one of the hardest-fighting fish out there. When it comes to casting distance, more important than length or action is using a rod that is rated for the lures you plan on throwing. Surf fishing is tons of fun and I hope that this article helps you catch more fish. But, this gives you an idea of how big pompano get in your area. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. I would break that apart into 3 separate fishing zones. I like fishing from a boat or kayak as much as the next guy, but there is something special about pursuing a favorite pastime, and doing so while on a beautiful beach. You can even tip them with dead bait to make them even more effective. If you have multiple rods, you will want to experiment to see what colors might work better on a particular day. Use a 6- to 12-lb test line that can comfortably cast a 1/2- to 1-oz egg sinker, depending on surf conditions. The way the line lays on the reel also affects distance. A good 7-foot medium-action rod is a safe bet and can be used for most situations. Pompano fishing is popular in the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusets down to Brazil. Typically when Im using multiple rods, I like to have 1 bigger rod with me. Those are really nice, but they are also REALLY expensive. But, they can live longer and grow to over 8 pounds, which would be a giant pompano. The same goes for floats. Slow down and let the rod do the work, and youll see a marked increase in casting distance. Watch the video below to learn more about where to fish when you are surf fishing. You have to remember to keep your drag loosened any time you have a rod in a rod holder. How to Tie a Pompano Rig. Discover our surfboard size chart. Welcome to Surfside Resort, a nice option for travelers like you. Winter is known as the best pompano fishing season. This is when a long surf rod comes in handy, so you can probe deep holes and troughs further from the beach. In the summer fishing for pompano can be tough. Related Posts:Snook Fishing TipsSheepshead Fishing TipsHow to Catch Bluefish, How to Catch Speckled Trout Fishing Tips. When it comes down to it, any rod will work fine for catching pompano. larger than expected. You can also catch pompano from a boat near a bridge. A good tactic for locating good fishing spots is to go to the beach during low tide and search out deeper (darker) areas. Anglers fish for pompano from piers, under bridges or on the beach, depending on their preferences. They also tend to stay on the hook in rough waves, which makes it great for fishing the surf. My favorites are the orange sand flea flavor, and the pink shrimp flavor. BUT once you find the feeding fish stay put. You want to have some wave action because that stirs up the sand and uncovers crabs, sand fleas, small clams and other creatures that the pompano like to feed upon. Dusty is a local Captain in the Orange Beach, AL area and also owns Shore Thing Fishing, where he. If you do this, there is much less pressure needed to land the fish, and thus less of a chance of pulling the hook free. With full written report (updated twice daily) and 16-day surf . This article has been viewed 136,722 times. If the bite is on and you see feeding fish in the surf, then you have a great chance to catch some pompano. pompano are a great fish to target for tourists and beginners. https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/pompano-fishing-tips-in-florida/, https://www.cyberangler.com/fishing-reports/florida/carrabelle/ten-secrets-catching-pompano-11595.htm, https://surfcastingflorida.com/what-is-the-best-tide-to-fish-for-pompano/, http://www.bwca.cc/activities/fishing/settingthehook.htm. If you dont wish to tie your own, these Sea Strike 2 hook rigs on amazon look pretty good Sea Strike PPR20 2-Hook Pompano Rig. Before this i lived like 1 block from the beach so it was hard to get used to. Or, you can even put a strip of Fishbites on the same hook as your sandflea in order to soup up your offering. . You can encounter pompano on the beach, off of ocean-facing piers and even inshore. So, the timing of their arrival and exit will be dictated by the weather. Look for v-shaped eddies when the waves roll off the beach. Though I couldnt see the fishermen, I could hear them. Chumming tends to work quite well for pompano. That makes a lot of sense right? Thanks! I happen to have a great article on that here: he lure of the pomp doesnt end with their taste, as. Typically when Im using multiple rods, I like to have 1 bigger rod with me. T-Hex and Ava Diamond Jig, are the most productive metals. While staying at Surfside Resort, visitors can check out St. Martin's Episcopal Church (0.3 mi) and Indian Mound Park (0.4 mi), some of Pompano Beach's top . On average most pompano that are caught weigh less than 3 lbs and are less than 17 inches long. If the current is moving your offering along too fast, I would change back to the tried and true pyramid weight. Be careful not to bust out the shell when working your hook through. Method 1 Fish From the Beach or a Pier 1 Find pompano schools on the far side of wave breaks and sand bars.