How to Catch Pompano in the Southeast Atlantic
The short answer
Pompano in the Southeast Atlantic hold on the surf, piers and jetties. They peak Apr–May and Oct. Start with sand flea: Live sand flea (mole crab) on a float-rig — the #1 bait. Dig them at the wet-sand line as the wash recedes. Best on incoming over the bars & troughs where they root for fleas. Any daylight — moving water is the key.
When Pompano bite in the Southeast Atlantic
Spring & fall runs are the windows
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
off | off | around | peak | peak | around | around | around | around | peak | around | off |
What to throw for Pompano
Best first. The retrieve matters more than the lure, so each one says how to work it.
- Sand flea — Live sand flea (mole crab) on a float-rig — the #1 bait. Dig them at the wet-sand line as the wash recedes.
- Fishbites — Pink or clam Fishbites when you can't find fleas — nearly as good.
Where to find them
Look for the surf, piers and jetties.
Pompano root in the churning water on the edge of the trough for sand fleas. Long-cast a float rig, set the rod in a spike, and watch the tip. A fall cold snap can stack them up.
Tide and timing
Incoming over the bars & troughs where they root for fleas
Any daylight — moving water is the key
Tackle
9–12' surf rod · 15–20 lb · pompano rig with floats, long cast past the first bar
Check the regulations
Size and bag limits change by state and by season, and they change more often than any article gets updated. Check your state agency before you keep anything.
Sounder links the right state agency for wherever you drop a pin, and flags a fish that’s out of slot as you log it.