how far in the surf to throw for pompano

You can also fish rip currents where pompano might be lurking feeding on small fish that are being swept away. If you memorize just a few of these, you should be able to tell them apart. I can reach that, I thought, while eyeing the charts legend and estimating the distance. I usually only do that when targeting whiting. If youre using a spinning rod and reel, we recommend a 6 to 14 pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Just dont forget where you buried them! If youre trying to identify pompano they have silvery and thin bodies with forked tail fins. Again mono or fluorocarbon line will work. You can even tip your jigs with small chunks of whatever the fish are feeding on in the waters you are fishing. Rod length also influences distance, with longer rods generally casting fartheralthough Ill argue that rod action is more important to casting distance than length. Some of the shops rent fishing gear so you don't have to go out and buy it. Kick your legs in an egg beater motion to turn the board around toward the shore. Even a 5 foot medium light rod would suffice most of the time. They regulate their body temperatures by using the external environment. These jigs come in various styles and colors. Using one of these as bait when fishing for pompano is always a good idea.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'riversearch_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',158,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-riversearch_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Pompano fishing is one of the most popular in the fall because pompano migrate south as the water gets colder. The second zone for me would be 20 to 40 yards out and the last zone would be 40 to 60 yards out. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. You can also target them by fishing inshore. This can happen in October or December, depending on how cold it gets. The migration follows a north to south direction in the fall . If you want distance ,control and complete reliability in the salt and sand use an Allen side cast but you will need to use a rod with different ring spacings. I moved to north texas permenatley at the end of the summer so now i live 5 hours from the coast. % of people told us that this article helped them. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Its often said that they are even more powerful than a jack crevalle of the same size. This will allow you to use the larger flies you need while giving you plenty of hook setting power for a tough pompano bite. You would want the bait on one rod to be in zone 1. An offshore wind helps put offshore spots within range, especially with lures and baits that dont cast very welllike metal lips or eels. Finding an abundance of bait oftentimes means that you have found the fish. In addition to using sand fleas, I usually take fresh dead shrimp as a second backup option. Simple. If you do start getting bites then move your other two baits into that zone. digging in the sand you know that there are probably a few sand fleas there. They can be found from Massachusetts all the way around Florida, throughout the gulf, and down towards South America. Larger reels hold enough line to have a reserve left to be able to fight a large fish at the end of such a cast. For these reasons, pompano are a great fish to target for tourists and beginners. Your line should be 10-20 pound mono, flourocarbon or 20-30 pound braid. If we didnt hook up in the first few cranks, the rest of the retrieve was over dead water. I have been focused on distance for the last three decades and I think you hit the important points, but I have two comments. One spring night, my friend Dave and I were casting to a current seam far off the beach where a school of bass had set up to feed. So, there is no need to fight crowds to claim a prized fishing spot on a jetty or pier. Even a 5 foot medium light rod would suffice most of the time. You will likely be catching them any time you are targeting Pompano. Use sand fleas for bait on the end of a spinning rod with a circle hook. They are known to be one of the best-tasting fish, they arent very difficult to catch, but they still put up a good fight, which makes it enjoyable to fish them.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'riversearch_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-riversearch_com-medrectangle-3-0'); If youre fishing for pompano you need to read this guide. The lifespan is commonly only 3 to 4 years. If the conditions require a heavier weight than that, then its not an ideal day to target pompano. It doesnt make a lot of sense to fish somewhere that has no fish. When using dead shrimp, break them in half, or about the size that will cover a 1/0 circle hook. Before you can catch pompano, you first have to find them. You will find sand fleas where the waves are lapping onto the beach (the swash zone). If there is a large colony around, there will be an obvious discoloration in the sand as the waves roll back over them. I rarely stress over casting distance when surfcasting. Sandbars usually require an onshore wind to create the white water where stripers love to feed. Switching from 50- to 40-pound-test braided line sacrifices a little strength, but can add significant casting distance. We recommend circle hooks for fishing pompano. Some say that catching a Tarpon is the ultimate inshore fishing achievement. To this point, knock on wood, I have caught bull reds and sharks, and they never pulled my lightweight sand spikes out of the sand. It is harder to cast a 14 foot surf fishing rod than a 10 foot surf fishing rod. Experimenting with long-casting lures could help you strike gold. If you don't want to catch live sand fleas before fishing for pompano, you can try using a sand flea lure. In this video Capt. That water color will probably not yield very many pompano for the dinner plate. 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. Its actually a 3 part series thats well worth your time if you are lacking skills in this area. Rigging for pompano and other species such as whiting that occur in the surf isn't difficult. Other very productive baits are small shrimp, and Fishbites. A bag full of pyramid sinkers of varying weights will keep in you in the game no matter how rough or calm it is. As the water temps climb later in the summer, you may have to fish further from shore to find pompano in deeper water. Fiddler crabs will pinch you when you pick them up. The simplest way is to scoop them out with your bare hands. But if you are going after much larger fish with big pieces of cut bait, you can go all the way up . No real instructions on better techniques for actually casting? Charter Fishing Boca Grande Fishing: The Complete Guide (Updated 2023) - FishingBooker Blog 8.8. No matter what location or conditions you fish, there is a needlefish out there that will catch fish, from small floating models for calm waters to big fast-sinking plugs for rough seas and strong currents. I try to minimize weight anywhere possible in my beach loadout. It takes 50 turns of the reel handle for the spool to complete one oscillation. Depending on the geometry and bend of the rod, you are feeling 3-5 times the weight back at the handle. The best signs of life are feeding fish where you are at. Then one day I saw on social media one them them holding a big striped bass. A good 7-foot medium-action rod is a safe bet and can be used for most situations. 9 w mullet head and 4 oz weight is fine for bull reds . Long Distance Casting in the Surf - On The Water If the beach doesnt look good for fishing, you will need to cast further out to find the pompano. In the summer fishing for pompano can be tough. he lifespan is commonly only 3 to 4 years. Thats a tell tale sign that you have a pompano on the end of your line. How to Catch Pompano: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow But, such large poles mask much of the strength of these spirited little fighters. Live shrimp is always a good option. How To Catch Pompano - Fishing Tips - RiverSearch Often if you try to set your hook with too much force, you will end up jerking your bait right out of their mouth. Nice article Jimmy. Free use of tennis court and hot tub. Might have to modify your position on the beach and head up the beach some or down the beach some. It might be sandpipers and plovers digging for sand fleas. Less water means that some of the bigger fish cant get too close to the beach. Rather than tossing that little fish back, Ill put it on a hook and throw it back out on my larger rod. They can be found during moving tides letting the current bring small crabs and shrimp to them.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'riversearch_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-riversearch_com-leader-3-0'); You can use a variety of kinds of fishing rods to catch pompano depending on the situation. Some of the other alternatives are, scooping them with cheap metal collanders, toy plastic shovels, or buckets with holes drilled in the bottom. Nothing is more efficient and easier to use than a proper rake. Try to find the sandbar and break the length of the beach to the sandbar into three sections. Some braids have a slick coating that helps the line leave the spool and shoot through the guides with less resistance. You can typically scoop sand fleas with your hands to use as bait. They prefer water temps between 65 and 85 degrees with 68 degrees being the sweet spot. You could go bigger, but I try to minimize the weight of my beach gear whenever possible. You may also go to your bait shop and pick up clams and mussels to use as bait. Dusty Hayes and I go looking for pompano and whiting after Hurricane Nate! This website is owned by FYAO Saltwater Media Group, Inc. Then, choose a surfboard that fits your height and weight. Ill pull one out as needed, and when I run out, Ill make another scoop. Step 1: Pull out about 5 feet of line. All this stuff is important, but theyre mostly technical details external to oneself. These are the pink shrimp flavor Fishbites I like to have, in addition to the orange sand flea ones. The less friction generated as the line comes off the spool, the farther the cast will go. But, on occasion, they will be running further offshore, and you will need to cast further out to reach them. AND it makes it harder for them to find your pompano bait and lure offering as well. I have a spot, where a drop-off gives up big bass any time I can get a live eel there. The world record pompano caught in Florida was a whopping 8.8lbs. Pompano will travel as far north as Massachusetts as far south as Florida in the United States of America. Youll probably get a few bites from other fish as well, but is that really a bad thing? For surf smelt fishing along San Mateo County beaches, try cast or "throw" nets in the 6- to 8-ft range, with 1 to 1 1/2 lbs of lead per foot and 3/8-in webbing. Its best when the surf is slightly active and stirring up the crustaceans on the bottom. It is found on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts, and in the West Indies. This behavior is often used by boating anglers to locate schools of pompano in and near the surf. The first zone for me would be from the beach to 20 yards out. Fishbites also work well when combined with natural bait on the same hook. If you plan to use a surf cart, live shrimp is a great option. In the article below I will talk in more detail about how far to cast for pompano off of the beach. When the onshore wind would slow momentarily, and wed get a few extra feet on our casts, we almost always got hit within the first few turns of the retrieve. The pompano can pick up the smell through the rough waves. I compensated by retrieving faster to keep the heavier jig off the bottom, but the bass werent interested in that. If the water further out from the beach looks cleaner that the water closer, then you should try the clean water first. First, 40-50 lbs?! For more tips, including how to keep your bait from returning to shore with the waves, read on! Move to a location where sand fleas are plentiful. I just got word that surf fishermen on Amelia Island are intercepting the first of the fall pompano run. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Youll want to keep your drinks and snacks separately from your fish. Bede Durbidge is third (33,6 km/h) and 10-time world champion Kelly Slater places in . Snell hooks are best for fishing bait on the bottom--no hookset required! Ideal surf conditions for pompano are when there is just enough wave action to stir up the sand near the shore, but not so much that it dirties up the water too much. You can still find. This could be deeper holes, or cuts through the sandbar. (Note: On The Water is reader-supported. So, I prefer a 2nd small soft sided cooler for that. Neither super clear water nor really stained water are ideal for pompano. They usually travel in schools so once you find one, there will be plenty more. 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. 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. Water temps are the name of the game and will dictate where you find pompano. Fishing pompano with squid is ideal on days where the seas are rough. Learn how to catch more fish off of the beach. Also, while targeting pompano, there is a great likelihood that you will catch other desirable species such as whiting (kingfish) and redfish. Spinning rods and reels are versatile options that are great for beginners. Pack a surf rod or three and check out these surf fishing tips if you're headed to the beach along Florida's Atlantic Coast and want to learn how to catch pompano. Holes or cuts in the sandbar are good places to look. If youre going to target pompano, you might as well learn about whiting. As you get older, wielding bigger rods takes too much effort and is tough on your back and shoulders. Try to figure out what the fish are eating and use that as bait. Usually either a size #1, 1/0, or 2/0 circle hook for most situations. The reel will last you and your grandchildren a lifetime. That makes a lot of sense right? Typically when Im using multiple rods, I like to have 1 bigger rod with me. You just never know where the pompano or whatever species of fish you are targeting will be from one day to the next. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. First of all, get your beginner's surfing equipment. I would break that apart into 3 separate fishing zones. [1] 2 Speaking of transient. Surf Side Resort. The place is home to 72 miles of shorelines, beyond which the Atlantic Ocean lies in wait. I typically tie my own so I can get them just like I want. Ive only fished for the past 10 years but in my opinion Super Strike plugs seem to effortlessly soar through the air with the smallest flick of my rod. 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. Pompano fishing is regularly done from shore, or from ocean-side piers. I have found that many darters tumble and lose distance when casting into a headwind. Agree , I no longer throw 12 mullet w 8 oz weight with a 12 rod in Texas . Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Here we will cover a little bit about pompano, where to fish for them, their seasonal patterns, the equipment you will need to catch them, and a few tips to help you catch more pompano.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'riversearch_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-riversearch_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Pompano are members of the Carangidae or jack family of fish. Choosing lures to reach far-off stripers is a little easier in the daylight. This article has been viewed 136,722 times. But, other colors can also be productive. Go Australia! A 2 hook rig serves several purposes. By placing different baits and different colored beads and floats on each hook, you can eliminate less preferred options quickly. Although its of no use to us surf-bound anglers, one interesting fact about pompano is that they have a tendency to skip out of the water behind a boats wake. Subscribe to get one NEW fishing article every week. Its often said that they are even more powerful than a jack crevalle of the same size. | Contact Us. But you can still find pompano in their usual places: the surf, grass flats, and deep inshore channels. othing is more efficient and easier to use than a proper rake. I tried bottles, darters, needles and even poppers, but the bass only wanted the jig. Simply find a nice section of beach, and locate the best area (discussed below) along that stretch, and you should be in business when the pompano are running. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. You have to remember to keep your drag loosened any time you have a rod in a rod holder. Heavy, long-casting lures that sink too quickly will drag bottom or pick up weeds. You have to cast out to the sand bar during the lower parts of the tide and you can literally catch pompano at your feet during the highest parts of the tide. Finally, there's the Thousand Islands, a 338-acre collection of isles that's constantly shifting and evolving. If you can find an area of beach that has a lot of small clams (coquina claims) lying around, that is a great spot to start fishing. When I first hit a beach that I want to fish off of I will look around for life of some sort. Go back at a higher tide and fish those areas. You will have to make your own call as to the preference of your rod(s). 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. First, your reminder Wind from the West, fish bite the best Wind from the East, fish bite the least Wind from the North, do not go forth Wind from the South blows bait in their mouth Now take a. This stretch of coast is a real hot spot for "pomps." There might be a lot of food around. I am trying pompano fishing for the first time.". It might be a great blue heron or a snowy egret standing on the beach. The resulting perfectly flat line lay minimizes friction during the cast. Here's a quick rundown of the styles of fishing you opt for. I honestly would recommend that you break down and invest in a sand flea rake. Jennette's Pier, Nags Head, (252) 255-1501. The best leaders for pompano are 2 hook pompano rigs. Bring one light spinning rod rigged with a pompano jig in case the fish are right in the trough just a few yards off the beach. To this point, knock on wood, I have caught bull reds and sharks, and they never pulled my lightweight sand spikes out of the sand. Baitcasting rods and reels take a little more mastery to use but are ideal when you want to cast further distances. The possibilities are endless. Pompano love sand fleas as much as any shore bird. How to Fish in Boca Grande There's a plethora of ways to fish the prolific waters around Boca Grande. I do have a few kastmasters and Hopkin lures but for the most part its Super Strike, thing is the $20/plug price point is not so desirable whereas the aforementioned can be had for far less, Fishing Montauk and Democrat Point, Long Island,NY. You just never really know what they are going to do next. The large loop allows the teaser to slide up and down between the jig and the knot while retrieving the lure. I always stash a few bottle plugs in the bag as well, provided Im fishing somewhere with enough current to make them effective. Then, poke holes in the bottom of the upper container so that any urine from the fleas can flow through the holes and away from the crabs. The loop should be about 3-4 long. Finding a balance between a lure that casts well and makes an effective presentation for the location is the tough part. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you have. However, cleaner water is definitely better than dirty water, and you should generally seek it out. Your own casting stroke is more important to casting distance than any equipment. Catching Spanish Mackerel from Shore - On The Water If you answered yes then sign up for our email list below because we will send you a new article every week. If you find an area with a lot of fiddler crabs or sand fleas, you can be sure hungry pompano are close by. Though they can reach sizes upwards of 8 pounds. Shimanos Ultegra XTD, part of their Long Cast Surf System, lays line perfectly flat on the spool by using super slow oscillation. The name, Florida Pompano, is deceiving as this fish ranges quite a distance beyond the state of Florida. Just try to use smaller shrimp if you can. Tie one end of the line to the snap swivel using a clinch knot. Its rediculous. They might be hot and heavy on your beach one day and the next day that school might be 10 miles North or South of you for some reason. The same goes for floats. For these reasons, I prefer to tie my own pompano rigs. Some species of fish require that you jerk on the line when you feel a bite to force the barb of the hook into the fish's flesh. The 14 foot surf fishing rod will cast farther but are harder to control. Though I couldnt see the fishermen, I could hear them. The YouTube video below is the best one I have found that shows you how to catch sand fleas. Florida pompano do not have teeth on their tounge, A pompano's head slopes back gently with no abrupt change in angle - no hump, Pompano have more rays than a permit; 22 to 27 dorsal rays and 20-23 anal rays, The beginning of their anal fin starts further back than the beginning of their dorsal fin, Pompano sized permit have teeth on their tounge, Permit have dorsal and anal fins that are longer and drape back toward their tail, Permit have sort of an appearance of a bump on their forehead, due to the change of angle to the slope of their head, Sometimes they have a dark spot under their pectoral fins, Have fewer rays than a pompano.