Pompano

Season in Upper Texas

TPWD: young abundant in the surf in summer, adults into bays September and October, best fishing summer and fall, may move offshore in winter. Not on the Sea Rim tip sheet. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Surf and passes; adults move into bays in September and October (TPWD).

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

Many consider it the most delicious Gulf fish (TPWD). Texas rules apply.

Recipes for pompano

Typical: 2 to 5 lb (TPWD). Large: unknown. Texas record 6.25 lb, 23.25 in (1989).

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

• 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 Upper Texas