The best time for fishing for pompano from the beach is when the water temp is between 70* and 80* degrees. Today the surf temp at the Flagler fishing pier is 62*. Wait for a while for temps to rise, they will be back. I use sand fleas, shrimp, clam or fish bites in these flavors. Fun to catch, put up a nice fight. Remember not less then 11 inches. Measure from tip of nose to center of tail.
I switched to 20# green power pro this past spring. I have been tying straight to my lure ( usually a 10 " watermelon worm). Caught my pb largemouth in June at 8lb 7oz . Even tried a flurocarbon leader and caught 8lb 4 oz using uni knot the next week, so was there any difference? Who knows, worked for me both ways!
Ajole wrote:
Yes, Fishbites on a pompano rig w/2 hooks. Often catch whiting two at a time.
If you want live bait, go to sand fleas.
It is also good to have the water temp in the 70* to 80* range for pompano. As the water temp drops this time of year they move farther south. They come back north in spring
I am like Plumbob, I had thoughts of gator, snakes and such. It took a little while for me to overcome my fears. Now when I see gators, snakes, even dolphins, you just need to respect them, give them their space. I haven't seen a shark yet but I am sure I have passed over them. My close call so far was with a manatee, it swam right beside my kayak then right under and bumped me! It had to be 8 feet long, she was an mature one , had barnacles on it's back. I wasn't afraid of the manatee, just flipping over. Always wear a vest and have a whistle,be aware of things going on around you. ALWAYS look for butt heads that are out for the weekend blast in their boats or PWC, they scare me more!
I like to scope out my beach at low tide to see the holes. I'll write down address of home across street if one is there and come back high tide. No matter what time I go fishing, I go 2-3 before high tide until slack tide. Seem to do well then. In warm temps I watch the beach goers as they wade out and take note on how deep the water is before they get to the sandbar. If water is chest to neck deep I'll go back when they go and just cast into the trough about 10- 20 yards out. Catch all the fish running there eating sand fleas and crabs. Just match the bait and I do well!
FS Digest wrote:
I’ve tried every lure I have, I’ve only caught bass on live bait like worms, tadpoles, and live lining bluegill. I can catch large bass, 7 lbs is my pb and I caught it on a tadpole. I just can’t catch bass on lures, I’ve tried every season and time of day. I can’t catch one out of a private lake that my grandparents own in FLORIDA. I can only catch them on live bait. I’ve gotten one bite in whole on lures which was a plastic worm. I’ve also caught many species of bass on live bait, white bass, spotted bass, small mouth bass, and large mouth bass. And it’s not my location as my dad has caught a multitude of bass on lures like worms and swim baits, which I tried and had no success. If anyone has any tips please let me know! If u want to see what tackle I use I am open to putting up pictures.
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by BelugaKing444
I’ve tried every lure I have, I’ve only caught bas... (
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Try to reel in at different speeds, slow ,medium, fast, faster. Start/stop, pop it, let it sink to bottom and lift it then sink down. I use 9" watermelon colored Yum worms with offset hook hooked weedless. rubber frogs couple different colors in morning and evening too. Crank baits work for me too. It's all takes time to find out just what they want that day. Only lived in Florida for 6 years and PB so far is 8lbs 7oz. on the 9" worm. Good luck but never give up.
I hang my 12.5 Accend from the ceiling in garage if I won't be using it for a while. Screwed in 4 large I bolts into studs, then use ratchet straps to hold it up close to ceiling. Up out of the way , don't take up any floor space. I have straps about 3-4 foot in from each end on wider part of kayak.
I have 2 Okumas for surf here in Florida. Work great, just set bait drag just right , then grab rod and reel them in. Goes right to main drag as soon as you turn the reel.