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Q:
I'll be fishing the destin Florida area this weekend. Ive never fished this area before. Id really like to catch some pompano. Any pointers or tips on baits to use or spots to start at? I have a 18 foot center console so going out in open water is limited to when the weather forecast is nice. Also, I've heard there's tarpon in the area. Any pointers on those would be appreciated as well.
Question by redfishunter. Uploaded on May 23, 2012
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Answers (3)
I have caught most of my pompano surf fishing or fishing from piers on the Alabama coast. I have not fished for them in Destin because the Nipple is just too close to shore there to be overlooked. Unlike most places on the gulf coast, you can be fishing the 100 fathom curve with just a short offshore run.
But pompano are pound for pound as good a fighting fish as you could ask for as well as good eating. If I am fishing off a pier I like to use fiddler crabs or bucktail jigs for bait. In the surf I like bloody cut bait or bucktail jigs as bait. In either case the bucktail jigs have worked for me when soft plastics just do not cut the mustard. Do not get me wrong, I do fish with soft plastics off piers and in the surf, but I have never caught a pompano on soft plastic. Good luck and enjoy the clear waters of Destin.
The only things I can add are that sand fleas make great pomp bait when fishing from the beach, and you don't have to try and cast to the horizon to catch them. They are likely cruising the trough between the beach and the bar break. You might want to put one rod out with a sand flea or dead shrimp and keep a rod rigged with the white bucktail in case you spot one cruising. Also, since you have a boat, I hear there are Spanish and king mackerel showing up. Good fishing.
I'm happy to report that I posted this question too early. Instead of this tourist trap my wife of six months and myself are about to spend the next four days camping on a barrier island instead. Many thanks for the pompano advice though, it won't go to waste.
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I have caught most of my pompano surf fishing or fishing from piers on the Alabama coast. I have not fished for them in Destin because the Nipple is just too close to shore there to be overlooked. Unlike most places on the gulf coast, you can be fishing the 100 fathom curve with just a short offshore run.
But pompano are pound for pound as good a fighting fish as you could ask for as well as good eating. If I am fishing off a pier I like to use fiddler crabs or bucktail jigs for bait. In the surf I like bloody cut bait or bucktail jigs as bait. In either case the bucktail jigs have worked for me when soft plastics just do not cut the mustard. Do not get me wrong, I do fish with soft plastics off piers and in the surf, but I have never caught a pompano on soft plastic. Good luck and enjoy the clear waters of Destin.
The only things I can add are that sand fleas make great pomp bait when fishing from the beach, and you don't have to try and cast to the horizon to catch them. They are likely cruising the trough between the beach and the bar break. You might want to put one rod out with a sand flea or dead shrimp and keep a rod rigged with the white bucktail in case you spot one cruising. Also, since you have a boat, I hear there are Spanish and king mackerel showing up. Good fishing.
I'm happy to report that I posted this question too early. Instead of this tourist trap my wife of six months and myself are about to spend the next four days camping on a barrier island instead. Many thanks for the pompano advice though, it won't go to waste.
Post an Answer