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Are you interested in catching African Pompano? Do you want to learn how to catch African Pompano? The African Pompano is a pre-historic-looking fish species that is elusive and challenging to catch. It is aggressive, hard fighting, and a member of the Jack family of fish. It lives around structures at different depths in the water.
In this article, we discuss how to catch the African Pompano, the best fishing methods to use, the fishing tackle, baits, and lures to be successful in catching this large and tasty fish.
Table of Contents
How To Catch African Pompano
African Pompano is usually found around structures like ledges, reefs, and wrecks. It is a round, silvery fish that is attracted to flashy objects and movement. African Pompano are often found in coastal waters and in temperature ranges from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The middle to bottom of the water column is where they are often found.
Baitcasting, bottom bouncing, drift fishing, fly fishing, jigging, trolling, and still fishing are some of the fishing methods used when fishing for African Pompano.
1. Baitcasting
Baitcasting is a popular fishing method anglers use when fishing for many species of fish. It involves casting the bait into the water and retrieving it. When the bait is cast into the water, anglers will slowly move it to mimic the movement of baitfish to get the attention of African Pompano or other predator fish.
The aim is to entice a bite. If the fish bites, the angler will set in the hook and reel in the fish. Baits and lures are used when baitcasting. It can be done from the shore or from a boat.
2. Drift Fishing
Drift fishing involves moving the boat with the water current and letting the bait drift with the boat. This lets the bait cover the water and attract fish that sees the bait drifting and thinks it is baitfish. Drift fishing can be very effective as it covers a lot of water.
3. Jigging
Jigging is another fishing method in which the jig is dropped at the bottom and pulled up a bit to get the attention of fish. When they are attracted and bite, the hook is set in and the fish is reeled in.
4. Trolling
Trolling involves moving the boat at a slow speed with the bait attached to the line at the back of the boat. When there is a bite, the hook is set in and the fish is reeled into the boat. Trolling, like drift fishing, allows you to cover a lot of water.
5. Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is another fishing method that anglers use when fishing. It requires more skill and is not ideal for a beginner who is learning how to catch African Pompano.
6. Still Fishing
Still fishing is a simple but effective fishing method. When still fishing, you just drop the line in the water and wait for a bite. When you get a bite. set the hook in and reel in the catch. Still fishing is a good fishing method to use when learning how to catch African Pompano.
7. Bottom Bouncing
Bottom bouncing is another fishing method anglers used when targeting fish at the bottom. It
involves dropping the bait at the bottom and slightly pulling it so it leaves the bottom and then returns to hit the bottom. This is repeated at an interval to get the attention of the fish. When fish gets attracted to the bait and strike, the hook is set in and the fish is reeled into the boat.
African Pompano Fishing Tackle
Spinning tackle is often the choice of anglers when fishing for African Pompano. It is a large and powerful fish that puts up a serious fight when caught.
Best Bait For African Pompano
- Pilchard
Live Pilchard is one of the best baits to use when fishing for African Pompano. It is a good bait to use when learning how to catch African Pompano.
2. Squid
Squid also works well as bait when fishing for African Pompano.
3. Shrimp
Shrimp is effective as bait for catching African Pompano.
4. Sand Fleas
Sand fleas also work well as bait when fishing for African Pompano.
5. Cigar Minnows
Cigar minnows work well as bait for African Pompano.
Best Lures For African Pompano
- Jigs
Jigs work well when targeting African Pompano which is further down in the water column.
2. Feathers
Feathers are also used as a lure when fishing for African Pompano.
How To Catch African Pompano In The Gulf of Mexico
When fishing for Africam Pompano in the Gulf of Mexico, look for structures like wrecks, reefs, and ledges. Focus on the water columns above the structures. Small jigs are the best option when fishing for African Pompano in the Gulf of Mexico.
Drift fishing is the popular fishing method used when fishing for African Pompano, but baitcasting, jigging, trolling, still fishing, and night fishing are also used to catch this elusive and delicious fish. Baits such as pilchards, sardines, herring, shrimp, and squid can also be used to catch African Pompano.
African Pompano Fishing Tips
- African Pompano is a schooling fish. Therefore, when you locate a school, you may end up catching many.
2. African Pompano is often found around structures like ledges, reefs, and wrecks.
3. They are often found around shallow wrecks and chumming is used with live bait to attract and catch them.
4. As a schooling fish, always cast your bait behind the one you caught as there will often be others following the one you caught.
5. African Pompano can avoid a leader that is more than 50 pounds. Fluorocarbon leaders are the best to use when fishing for African Pompano.
6. There is a chance that it carries ciguatera poisoning.
7. African Pompano has a silver body with a metallic look and appears to be armor-plated.
8. Live pilchards, shrimp, squid, sand fleas, and cigar minnows are baits that can be used when fishing for African Pompano.
9. Trolling, still fishing, bottom bouncing, baitcasting, drift fishing, fly fishing, and jigging are some of the fishing methods used when fishing for African Pompano.
10. The peak season for African Pompano is from November to February.
11. Chumming can be effective when fishing for African Pompano.
The Bottom Line
African Pompano is a member of the Jack family of fish. They can be found around structures like reefs, ledges, and wrecks. It is a schooling fish that is found from New Jersey to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. November to February is the best time to fish for African Pompano.
In this article, we discussed how to catch African Pompano, the best baits, and lures, as well as shared information on the best fishing methods used by anglers. You can also read how to catch pompano and how to catch alligator gar.
