Pompano

Season in Virginia Beach

VSWFT pompano citations, statewide: June 2, July 3, August 9, September 1 (2024 to 2025), mostly surf and pier. October 2025 pompano at the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Right in the wash and the first trough, especially where sand fleas are thick.

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

Prized eating. Check state rules.

Recipes for pompano

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

Limits

FishOS has not checked the VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

• VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2024 Citations Year To Date (every trophy citation with species, catch date, area, technique) (Official source)
• VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2025 Citations Year To Date (printed May 8 2026) (Official source)
• FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, October 2025 (Angler knowledge)
• 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 Virginia Beach