UTERPompano fishing in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, pompano peak March–April and October–November and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Spring run: beaches from Clearwater to Venice and the passes (Johns, Longboat, Big Sarasota).
Fall run on the beaches and in the passes.
Pompano in Tampa Bay, month by month
- JanuaryAroundWinter fish in the passes and the Skyway channel — bounce a jig on the bottom on the moving tide.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeakSpring run: beaches from Clearwater to Venice and the passes (Johns, Longboat, Big Sarasota).
- AprilPeakPeak spring on the beaches and the sand bars at the pass mouths.
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberArrivingFirst fall fish in the passes.
- OctoberPeakFall run on the beaches and in the passes.
- NovemberPeakPeak fall — fish the passes on the outgoing.
- DecemberAround
Where to fish pompano near Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa
Florida's biggest open-water estuary, ringed with grass flats, mangrove islands, oyster bars and the Skyway's endless pilings, then the barrier-island passes — Johns, Pass-a-Grille, Longboat, New Pass, Big Sarasota, Venice — and a dense field of artificial reefs a few miles off the beach.
Fish Scouter charts 1,374 grass flat, 46 pass / inlet, 34 beach / surf spots in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota 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 Tampa Bay?
Peak season is March–April and October–November. Pompano are here year-round. March: Spring run: beaches from Clearwater to Venice and the passes (Johns, Longboat, Big Sarasota).
Where do pompano hold in Tampa Bay?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet, grass flat, channel edge — around Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice.
What is the best bait for pompano in Tampa Bay?
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 Tampa Bay?
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 · Tampa Bay & Sarasota, the whole year