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Pompano

(Also known as Florida Pompano)

 The Pompano is a feisty fish that puts up a good fight on light tackle.  The Pompano belongs to the same family as the Permit, its body is not as high but it is still oval and compressed.  It has a short snout with a small and oblique mouth and tiny teeth.  The first dorsal is composed of six short spiny rays.  The second dorsal fin is almost an inverted mirror image in size and shape to the anal fin.  The caudal fin is notched with long pointed lobes.  Color is gray – green on the back and slivery on the sides.  There are usually 3 – 5 vertical dark green spots along the front and top of the lateral line.  The tips of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are black. 

The Pompano is fine eating and a hard fighting fish.  It is judged by many to be the worlds most exciting light tackle gamefish.  It enters very shallow water and can be taken from beaches, piers, jetties, bridges and boats. 

Most  Pompano average about 2 pounds.  The all tackle record is 8 pounds 1 ounce. 

Pompano are found in the warm, temperate and tropical waters of the western Atlantic.  They prefer water temperatures in the 82 -89° F range. 

Pompano can be found through out the coastal areas of Florida.  On the Atlantic coast they are most prevalent  from New Smyrna  south to Miami.  The best times of the year are between October to December and again April to July. 

Pompano can also be caught along the entire West Coast of Florida.  Especially between St. Petersburg to Ft, Meyers. Pompano  can be caught  in the Panhandle region off the beaches in late February and in the surf and cuts of Apalachicola Bay. 

Tackle and Techniques  Most of these fish are caught in shallow water close inshore.  They can be caught by surfcasting, flyfishing or spincasting from shore or from a boat.  

Fishing Equipment:
Spinning gear should include a 7' medium action rod and reel with 6# -12 # test line.

Surfcasting gear should include an 8' to14' surf rod and reel capable of heaving 6 to 8 ounce sinkers with 20# to 30# line.

Flyfishing gear should include a 8-1/2' to 9' long  7 weight rod with a reel holding 100 or more yards of 20# backing.

Baits 
Natural baits including crabs, clams, sand fleas and shrimp work well.  Artificial lures which produce are jigs with yellow and yellow combination nylon hair, bucktails and plastic tailed jigs

Tight Lines and Good Luck!.  

Sport Fish of Florida   
       
This Full color 256-page book from long-time fishing legend and Florida Sportsman Magazine Sr. Editor Vic Dunaway features his 50-plus years of fishing knowledge. Each of the 231 species is illustrated with original full-color artwork from renowned marine artist Kevin R. Brant.

What Is This fish?   Is It Good to Eat?    Is It a Record?     Answers to these common questions, plus many others are answered in this book. Plus, Common and Scientific Names, Distinguishing features, Food Values, Average and Record Sizes,  Range throughout Florida, Main  Habitats, Game Qualities and Best Fishing Methods.

By Vic Dunaway,       Published By Florida Sportsman
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