Pompano Fishing
The Outer Banks and beaches of NC have built a reputation with the fall spot runs in October and massive red drum in November, but don’t overlook the summer months for some great surf fishing action. The arrival of June means that school is almost over and soon families will flock to the North Carolina beaches for summer vacation. Many visitors play in the surf and spend time on the beach without ever breaking out the fishing tackle. The visitors assume that the higher water temps and summer heat have driven all the fish into hiding. Many species of fish can be caught from the NC surf and piers including the pompano. The pompano is a great fish to target in the summer not only for the great sport it provides, but also for the tender white fillet it provides for the table.
Pompano look very similar to the famous permit. It is built like a bream and can put up quite a fight in the surf when it turns its broad profile sideways against the current. The pompano is covered with very tiny and flashy silver scales on the sides with a bright yellow underbelly. Their noses are blunt, and their jaws are strong for crushing crabs. The pompano’s diet consist of shrimp, small crabs, and of course the sand flea.
The sand flea is the most popular pompano bait for many reasons. The most important reason is the fact that these little mole crabs catch big pompano and many other fish. Another important attribute is how well the sand flea stays on the hook. It remains on the hook much better than small pieces of cut bait and does not get nibbled off by other crabs or pinfish. If durability and producing numbers of fish have not sold you on sand fleas, then maybe the price will. They are free to every 8 year old child on the beach that digs them up by hand while the tide is going out. Just look for the “V” marks in the sand as the tide retreats, and you can locate a colony of mole crabs. Remember to only take as many as you feel you will need for fishing. After digging up your bait, place them in a bucket with a shallow layer of damp sand. If placed solely under water for too long a period, the sand flea will drown. Keep the sand damp and the bucket in a shaded area and they will last all day.
A medium action 7 foot spinning rod with 12 pound test can be used to fish from pier or surf. I also fish with a longer casting surf rod to search areas around sand bars that are further off the beach. A two hook bottom rig is the standard, but I do not use the heavy rigs with the fake shrimp skirts. I prefer to make my own surf fishing rigs from a 36 inch length of 15 pound test. By using one piece of line and some simple knots, I have eliminated all the swivel hardware that could deter a fish from biting. The Pompano tend to bite in clear water; therefore, all the extra swivels are not needed. Size 1 hooks are then tied directly to the line. Sometimes I will tie on a fluorescent orange bead above one of the hooks. This adds a slight amount of flash to the bait that could simulate a sand flea laden with eggs or a shrimp. In an attempt to establish a feeding pattern of the fish, I normally start with a beaded rig and then a non-beaded rig. The long casting rod will be weighted with a pyramid weight suitable for the water conditions. This rod will be used to fish the sandbars and other structures further off the beach. After I have the big surf rod’s drag set up correctly it is placed in the sand spike to wait on the bite. The 7 foot rod is weighted with a 1 or 2 ounce bank or disc sinker. This is a perfect setup for fishing the suds right where the waves drop on the beach. On a rising tide, this area is the perfect feeding location for Pompano. The incoming tide begins to uncover sand fleas and other crustaceans making them prey for all fish in the surf. Casting out the 2 hook bottom rig and keeping the line tight will allow the current to move the rounded sinkers back towards the beach making it a great way to cover the surf zone. This tactic will not only catch pompano but also catch red drum, black drum and sea mullet. One important tip to remember is to change hooks regularly or bring a hook sharpener with you. Pushing the hooks through the Pompano’s shell combined with the hooks rolling and dragging on the sand will dull even the most expensive hooks.
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great article