Pompano
Fishing for Pompano in Daytona Beach, Florida
More Species at The Fish We Catch in Daytona Beach
The Florida Pompano (Trachinotus Carolinus) is just one of several Pompano species which includes African, Cayenne, Florida and Irish Pompano.
The Florida Pompano is very similar in appearance to the Permit however Permit grow considerably larger and are more abundantly found further south in Florida. Florida Pompano are a member of the jack family. They are an important species to both the Florida recreational fishing and commercial fishing industries.
There’s two things you can always say about Pompano.
Pompano are very fast swimmers and very good to eat! Pompano swim in fast schools that can travel great distances when they migrate. The fish is so desired by seafood chefs that one of the oldest known classic New Orleans recipe is “pompano en papillote,” Pompano fillets wrapped in parchment paper and then steamed with a white wine sauce, shrimp, and crabmeat. Fresh Pompano fillets cost more per pound than Maine lobster and demand for the meat is so high, Florida pompano are being raised using aquaculture methods.
The other interesting thing about Florida Pompano is how much they love to stay close to the coastline.
For fishermen into surf fishing, Pompano are the ultimate prize. Surf fishers in Florida are known to follow schools of Pompano for many miles up and down the Florida coast as they migrate along the shore.
Where are Florida Pompano Found?
Primarily, in Florida! Florida Pompano are a Western Atlantic fish and can be found as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Brazil. However, they are most common in or near Florida! Pompano are a true “nearshore” species of fish. As mentioned above, they can be found along sandy beaches and are a favorite of anglers who love surf fishing. Although not commonly caught on offshore fishing trips, Florida Pompano can be caught in water up to 130 feet deep.
When the migrating Florida Pompano are in the Daytona Beach area, they are commonly caught on inshore fishing charters. Daytona Beach fishing guides often take their guests to Ponce Inlet at the mouth of the Halifax River where schools of Pompano scurry in and out of Ponce Inlet to feed on clams and crustaceans.
When can you catch Pompano near Daytona Beach?
As long as the water temperature stays above the 50s, Florida Pompano will stay around the Daytona Beach area. During mild winters, when the water temperature stays in the 60s, Pompano will remain in the Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ponce Inlet area. When the water temperature dips into the 50s, they head to South Florida for the winter. in the Spring, the schools will swim back north to Central Florida and beyond.
Florida Pompano Size
The Florida state record for a Florida Pompano is 8 pounds 4 ounces and was caught near Port Saint Joe in the Florida Panhandle. The most common size of Florida Pompano caught on a typical Daytona Beach fishing charter is less than 3 pounds and less than 17 inches in length. Remember, however, Pompano are fun to catch at any size. Also Pompano are prized fish for cooking and it doesn’t take much Pompano meat to make a gourmet meal.
Here are the latest Pompano Fishing Regulations for Florida.
Offshore Fishing is our most popular Daytona Beach fishing charter!
When you’re ready to have fun fishing in Daytona Beach, contact Captain John of Floating Time Charters.
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