SUBJECT: # 7253: Need tips for pompano fishing

Submitted by John (216.90.9.129) from TEXAS on 4/7/2000 2:12:00 AM

Sorry to ask for more tips so soon. I need advice on fishing for pompano. Caught a few by accident a summer or two ago and thought they were about the best tasting fish I'd ever eaten. Anway, I am close to the Texas coast, know to use small hooks,small baits, etc. But what baits are best? Also, how far into the surf do you need to wade out to catch them? Can you catch them in bays? Also, do I have to wait until summer to catch them with any regularity? Any and all advice would be a help. Thanks. John

1. 4/7/2000 9:01:00 AM Submitted by gowge from FLORIDA says Pompano Rigs & Attractors
   John, Pompano are sight feeders. They don't mix well with other fish much - especially bluefish. The easiest rig is made by tying standoff loops in a piece of mono, with a swivel at the top and a clip on the bottom for your lead. The little Eagle Claw L197 3/0 Circle Hooks have been proven here in Florida to be IDEAL for pompano and lots of other species as well. A friend here recently caught two huge black drum (53lb & 74lb) while fishing for pompano with just such a rig! We use 30lb or 40lb Big Game Clear for the rigs, and usually put some kind of attractor bead on the rig above the hook. Lately, the glow in the dark spaghetti beads (19mmx6mm)have been very popular.

   Best baits are without a doubt, SANDFLEAS. Nothing else works as well, but also, peeled live shrimp (very fresh!) or bits of crab also work well. e-me if you want to see a typical pompano rig. You can also use the Long Range Fish-Finder Rig for pompano when they're feeding far out in the surf. Sometimes, it's easy to catch them on lures like a small yellow or white nylon jig. Seems like everyone is discovering the eating qualities of pompano these days ;) There's NOTHING else that swims or crawls in the sea that tastes as good IMHO!

   If you prefer using kahle hooks, look at the Stainless Steel Mustad 37160S for a durable hook you can re-sharpen many times without it rusting on you.

   Light line and small reels on VERY long rods usually identifies a pompano angler, since this combination is capable of putting small baits and large leads a long way out there when needed. Sometimes, they're chasin' sandfleas right in the wash too! Go figure ;))

   GOOD LUCK!

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2. 4/10/2000 12:41:00 PM Submitted by dshaky (209.99.89.152) from TEXAS says Sand Fleas?????
   will someone please enlighten me to what a sand flea is please? I think I know but I'm just not sure. Thanks

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3. 4/10/2000 1:37:00 PM Submitted by gowge from FLORIDA says Sand Fleas - Mole Crabs, etc.
   They're little crabs with rounded shells and all their legs underneath sorta' like an armadillo, and they have a tail that's hinged and is tucked under their body until they decide to burrow down in the wet sand in the wash or on top of a bar, etc. It's sorta' dagger shaped (the tail) and the usual sandflea is about the size of the end of your thumb... Color varies,but much like the color of the bottom, or your fingernail. Females sometimes have an orange egg sack (like crabs) and we usually release those after catching them.

   You can sometimes see the fleas scurrying around in the wash at the edge of the surf, and as a wave receeds, you see their little "V" in the sand. Often mistaken for a shell in the sand, the "V" gives them away...

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4. 4/11/2000 11:45:00 AM Submitted by mudflap (192.55.24.50) from TEXAS says How do you catch them
   How do you catch sand fleas. I have seen people run into the surf with a shovel and dig up a bunch of sand and sift it, but this has never worked for me. What signs are they looking for?

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5. 4/11/2000 4:12:00 PM Submitted by gowge from FLORIDA says Catchin' Sandfleas On The Beach...
   Probably the best thing, is to have someone show you how, but here in FLORIDA, we use a metal "Basket" called a Sandflea Rake. It's used in much the same way as a rake, but you dig a bit of sand up to catch the fleas and the sand is washed out of the fine hardware cloth basket and the fleas are left inside... You can also use a wide (4ft or wider) fine mesh dip net to catch'em when they're schoolin' up. We're talkin' secrets here ;)) so use your imagination. E-Me if you want more info...

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6. 4/11/2000 8:30:00 PM Submitted by John (216.90.9.129) from TEXAS says Thanks
   Thanks, I plan on giving it a try here in Texas as soon as the winds calm down. I will let you know how I do.

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7. 4/12/2000 12:13:00 PM Submitted by Mahi7 (207.156.9.96) from FLORIDA says If you can't find a rake.....
   just use your hands. go stand right where the wave hits the sand and just scoop up as much sand as you can with both hands (in the soft sand you can dig your fingers down about to your wrists). as the wet sand drops out, you can feel the fleas trying to dig on your palms. or just scoop up the sand and toss up on higher ground and pick through. when fleas are thick, you can walk the length of the beach and scoop as needed, but nothing outperforms a rake. I noticed gowge released the ones with the orange eggs. We usually were glad to get those because if you bend the tail backwards, the eggs become exposed and it makes it more attractive due to sight and smell. A pomp won't turn it down!

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8. 4/12/2000 12:57:00 PM Submitted by Mahi7 (207.156.9.108) from FLORIDA says Not to overstate the sandflea info, but...
   check this site out and you can see what they look like and where the hang out.

   http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/softshore.html

   scroll down to pix 13-15

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9. 4/12/2000 9:28:00 PM Submitted by Pier#r from ALABAMA says sandflea rakes
   Check out this beast 33" wide!

   http://www.gbtackle.com/accessories/rakes.htm

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10. 4/13/2000 2:36:00 PM Submitted by Capt. John, Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge from Australia says Sand fleas
    Y'all need to try the orange Gamakatsu hooks for pompano.There may be others out there, but we carry the Gams.They seem to look like the eggsacks w/out actually killing an egg bearing female.One of our local tricks is to take an orange huggie and work on the hook too. They are sight feeders, but obviously they use their smell too. John Soule.

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11. 6/12/2000 9:59:00 PM Submitted by tom (152.163.206.184) from FLORIDA says pompano rigs
    need info on how to make pompano rigs to fish from the beach around long boat key, fl. i got some L197 circle hooks as advised, but i don't know how to make the rigs. tom

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12. 6/13/2000 9:40:00 PM Submitted by tom (205.188.197.188) from FLORIDA says how do you make pompano rigs?
    i am taking the family to long boat key this weekend and would like to know how to make pompano rigs. i bought the L197 3/0 hooks that were recommended, but i don't know how to make the rigs. please help. tom

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