Pompano

Season in Lower Texas

Peak months: Jan, Feb, Dec.

South Padre guide: most common in winter, available year-round, on sand fleas, small shrimp, jigs and tiny spoons. This differs from TPWD's statewide summer-and-fall note. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Surf and the South Jetty, on sand fleas, small shrimp, jigs and tiny spoons; most common in winter (South Padre guide).

In the wash and first trough, rooting for sand fleas and coquinas.

What to look for

Sand fleas in the receding wash, clean green water, a gentle shorebreak.

What to throw

Pompano jig1/4 to 1/2 oz, Small, with a teaser. Bounce it along the bottom so it kicks up sand puffs like a sand flea.

Bait

Live sand fleas (mole crabs), Shrimp pieces with Fishbites, Clams. Double-drop pompano rig with floats or beads, #1 to 2/0 circle hooks, 2 to 4 oz sinker.

Leader

20 to 30 lb.

Common mistakes

• Casting far beyond them
• Fishing them in dirty, rough water

Landing

Strong for their size; slide them up on a wave.

Handling

No special hazards.

Keep or release

Excellent eating (TPWD). Texas rules apply.

Recipes for pompano

Typical: 1 to 2 lb, 10 to 14 in. Large: 3 to 5 lb.

Limits

FishOS has not checked the TX limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you keep a fish.

Sources

• South Padre Island CVB: Bay and offshore fishing guide (species notes) (Angler knowledge)
• TPWD species profile: Florida pompano (Official source)
• NOAA repository: Florida pompano culture document (temperature tolerances) (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: soaking baits in the surf (Fort Fisher, NC, 2023) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Lower Texas