UTERPompano fishing in Florida's Big Bend
In Florida's Big Bend, pompano peak April–May and October and are around March–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Bounce small jigs along the sandy channel edges and potholes.
Fall fish in the channels and on the outside bars.
Pompano in Florida's Big Bend, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArrivingFish show on the outside bars and channel edges off Cedar Key and Crystal River.
- AprilPeakBounce small jigs along the sandy channel edges and potholes.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeakFall fish in the channels and on the outside bars.
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish pompano near Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River
A hundred miles of undeveloped coast: vast turtle-grass flats, limestone rock piles and ledges in ten feet of clear water, spring-fed rivers, oyster bars and salt marsh. No passes, no barrier islands — the Gulf just starts.
Fish Scouter charts 6,872 grass flat, 95 pass / inlet, 2 beach / surf spots in the The Big Bend & Nature Coast map area — the kinds pompano hold on.
What to use for pompano
- Sand fleas (mole crabs)On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Fiddler crabsA #1 hook through the back corner of the shell, dropped tight to the piling — the sheepshead bait.
- Leader15–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–1/0
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 62–82°F water, best at 66–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch pompano in Florida's Big Bend?
Peak season is April–May and October. Pompano are in Florida's Big Bend March–November. April: Bounce small jigs along the sandy channel edges and potholes.
Where do pompano hold in Florida's Big Bend?
Look on grass flat, channel edge — around Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Homosassa.
What is the best bait for pompano in Florida's Big Bend?
Live bait: sand fleas (mole crabs), live shrimp, fiddler crabs. Sand fleas (mole crabs): On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait. Tackle: leader 15–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–1/0, braid 10–20 lb.
What are the rules for pompano in Florida's Big Bend?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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All about pompano · The Big Bend & Nature Coast, the whole year