Pompano

Category: Nearshore

Trip Type: Nearshore

Pompano are one of the most prized nearshore game fish in Louisiana, combining exciting light-tackle action with a reputation as one of the finest eating fish in the Gulf.

Appearance

Florida pompano are deep-bodied, compressed fish with a blunt, rounded snout and a deeply forked tail. They are bluish-green to olive on the back with bright silver sides that take on a golden-yellow tint toward the belly, especially during the warmer months. Their small mouths and tough lips reflect their bottom-feeding habits, and their streamlined shape gives them surprising speed and agility for their size.

Habitat

Pompano are commonly found along Louisiana's beaches, in coastal surf zones, nearshore passes, bays, and around jetties and other coastal structure. They favor sandy or shell-bottom areas where sand fleas, small crabs, and other crustaceans are abundant. They are frequently encountered in the shallow surf and along barrier island beaches during the spring and fall migrations.

Average Size

Most pompano caught in Louisiana waters weigh between 1 and 3 pounds, with fish over 4 pounds considered very good catches. Exceptional fish can approach 6 to 8 pounds, though these are rare.

Best Time to Catch

Spring and fall migrations bring pompano through Louisiana's coastal waters in the greatest numbers, with some of the best fishing occurring along beaches and in passes as fish move with baitfish schools and favorable water temperatures.

Fishing Tips

Sand fleas (mole crabs) are widely considered the best natural bait for pompano. Small jigs tipped with fishbites or artificial sand crabs are also highly effective and a popular choice for surf fishing. Focus on cuts and troughs in the surf, nearshore passes, and areas with shell or sandy bottom where crustaceans concentrate. Light spinning tackle with 10 to 15-pound line is ideal for maximizing the fight these spirited fish provide.

Louisiana State Record

8.38 pounds — caught by Emmett Couvillion in 1986. A pompano approaching double-digit weight is an extraordinary catch and represents a true trophy for any Louisiana nearshore angler.

Fun Fact

Pompano en papillote — pompano baked in a paper bag with a rich sauce — is one of the most famous dishes in New Orleans culinary history, created at Antoine's Restaurant in the French Quarter in the late 1800s.