Pompano fishing in Florida

Florida pompano are the silver-and-yellow surf fish that run the beaches in spring and fall as the water passes through the low to mid 70s °F, wintering along south Florida and spreading north into the Panhandle and northeast coast as it warms. Look for them in the first trough behind the bar, in the wash along the beach and along the edges of inlets and passes, especially on the rising tide in the morning. A little surf and a light onshore breeze that stirs up sand fleas and coquinas beats flat calm. The classic setup is a pompano rig with two 1/0–2/0 circle hooks, small floats or beads, 20 lb fluorocarbon and a 2–4 oz pyramid or sputnik sinker on a 10–12 ft surf rod. Bait with sand fleas, shrimp or clams, or bounce a small pompano jig through the trough. Handle them by the body; the fins are harmless. Pompano are prized eating; check current FWC rules before keeping one.