UTERPompano fishing in Indian River Lagoon
In Indian River Lagoon, pompano peak November–April and are around October–May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Winter beach fish from Cocoa to Melbourne on the warm days; sand fleas.
Fall run: fish move down the beach behind the mullet.
Pompano in Indian River Lagoon, month by month
- JanuaryPeakWinter beach fish from Cocoa to Melbourne on the warm days; sand fleas.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeakSpring push north up the beach.
- AprilPeakPeak spring at Cocoa and New Smyrna.
- MayLeaving
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberArrivingFall run: fish move down the beach behind the mullet.
- NovemberPeakPeak fall run in the surf and at Ponce and Sebastian inlets.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish pompano near Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville
Mosquito Lagoon, the Banana River and the northern Indian River Lagoon — shallow, clear, grass-and-sand flats famous for sight-fishing tailing redfish and giant trout — plus Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, the beaches, and the nearshore reefs.
Fish Scouter charts 113 grass flat, 11 beach / surf, 3 pass / inlet spots in the The Space Coast Lagoons 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 Indian River Lagoon?
Peak season is November–April. Pompano are in Indian River Lagoon October–May. January: Winter beach fish from Cocoa to Melbourne on the warm days; sand fleas.
Where do pompano hold in Indian River Lagoon?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet, grass flat, channel edge — around Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, Port Canaveral, New Smyrna Beach.
What is the best bait for pompano in Indian River Lagoon?
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 Indian River Lagoon?
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/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about pompano · The Space Coast Lagoons, the whole year