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By ED WALKER
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 5, 2001
There are different methods used to catch pompano. Some chum with barnacles around bridges, and others fish the warm water outfalls of local power plants during winter. Summer is a great time for pompano fishing along the beach and in the gulf inlets. Small schools of pompano search for small crabs and coquinas. Successful pompano fishermen know that these fish very seldom, if ever, feed on baitfish. This means a majority of live and artificial baits are ineffective.
By far the best lure is a small yellow jig with sparse fibers. They have an affinity for yellow and the quick jerky action of the jig. For natural baits, sandfleas are tops and usually can be dug from the sand where you are fishing. Pieces of shrimp also work, but often are devoured by trash fish before the pompano see them.
Light line and no leader is the way to go because they have exceptional eyesight and no teeth. They often will shy from heavier tackle. Eight to 10 pound test usually is all that's needed.
Since pompano seldom are found in the same place two days in a row, it helps to keep moving. One way is to run your boat along the edge of a sandbar or edge and watch your wake for "skipping" pompano.
- Ed Walker charters out of Palm Harbor. Call (727) 944-3474 or e-mail TarponEd@aol.com.