UTERPompano fishing in Biscayne Bay
In Biscayne Bay, pompano peak December–February and are around November–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Winter fish on the Key Biscayne and Haulover beaches — the south end of the Atlantic winter range.
Not in Biscayne Bay this month.
Pompano in Biscayne Bay, month by month
- JanuaryPeakWinter fish on the Key Biscayne and Haulover beaches — the south end of the Atlantic winter range.
- FebruaryPeakStill on the beaches on the calm days.
- MarchAround
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberArrivingFall run arrives from the north.
- DecemberPeakOn the beaches.
Where to fish pompano near Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami
Biscayne Bay's grass flats and the finger channels between them, the bayside mangrove shorelines of the national park, the inlets (Government Cut, Haulover, Port Everglades), and the reef line within a couple of miles of the beach.
Fish Scouter charts 478 grass flat, 20 beach / surf, 18 pass / inlet, 1 channel edge spots in the Miami & Biscayne Bay 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 Biscayne Bay?
Peak season is December–February. Pompano are in Biscayne Bay November–March. January: Winter fish on the Key Biscayne and Haulover beaches — the south end of the Atlantic winter range.
Where do pompano hold in Biscayne Bay?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet, grass flat, channel edge — around Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami, Haulover, Fort Lauderdale.
What is the best bait for pompano in Biscayne 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 Biscayne 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 · Miami & Biscayne Bay, the whole year