Best Times & Seasons to Catch Pompano in Florida (A Guide)
Pompano are some of the most sought-after gamefish in Florida waters. Knowing the best times and seasons to target Pompano in Florida can really help you catch more fish.
The best times to catch pompano in Florida waters are from April through September when the water is warmer and schools of pompano move into the shallows around piers and the surf.
The ideal pompano fishing conditions are created in the places where waters are clear and where there is no wind. There are many great pompano fishing spots in the waters near Florida. It’s a good idea to target pompano on the beaches and in the inlets of the Florida area.
Pompano Fishing in Florida
Fishermen can catch pompano in the waters of Florida throughout the year. However, pompano is more active in warmer waters. The ideal water temperature for pompano fishing is 70 – 80°F.
The pompano fishing season in Florida starts in March when the water heats up and finishes in October when the waters cool down. The worst months for pompano fishing in Florida are January – February, and November – December.
Pompano gets active and bites well in bright sunlight. That’s the reason why it’s best to target pompano in the middle of the day.
Fishermen shouldn’t care about tides when fishing for pompano in Florida. It’s possible to catch pompano in Florida at any moment. However, it’s much easier to target pompano during high tides.
Surf Fishing Pompano in Florida
Surf fishing is an effective way to catch pompano in Florida. Pompano is one of the main shore fishing targets in the region. So, anglers don’t necessarily need to book a charter to fish for pompano in the waters of Florida. They can do surf fishing either from shore or from the pier.
Many anglers prefer to fish for pompano in the region from beaches. Pompano Beach in Southern Florida attracts so many anglers, who give preference to surf fishing.
It’s possible to do shore fishing for pompano throughout the year. The best season to target pompano starts in the early spring and ends in the late fall.
Anglers get the best results during the spring and fall pompano runs. The run of pompano is starting in spring. The late fall and winter is the worst time of year to fish for pompano from shore.
It’s possible to surf fish for pompano at any time of day. Pompano feeds at night as well. When doing surf fishing, anglers often catch pompano at dawn and at dusk. So, the early morning or late evening is the best time of day to catch pompano from the surf.
Recommended Pompano Fishing Guides/Charters in Florida
These Florida-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| MM Charters | Englewood, FL |
| Daytona Beach Charters – Inshore | Port Orange, FL |
| Ultimate Fishing Charters | St. Petersburg, FL |
| Gulf to Bay Fishing Charters | Clearwater, FL |
| Captain Rio Adventures | Marco Island, FL |
| Just Livin The Dream Charters | Bonita Springs, FL |
| Lady Luck Adventures | Fort Walton Beach, FL |
| Reel Knowledge Fishing | Sarasota, FL |
| Man’s Fat Boy Charters | Bradenton, FL |
| Chasin’ Tail Fishing Charters | Sarasota, FL |
| Beach Fishing Adventures Sarasota | Sarasota, FL |
| MisStress Sportfishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Pontoon Boat Tours Ft Myers Beach | Fort Myers Beach, FL |
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Best Seasons for Florida Pompano (by Region)
Florida Gulf Coast
Florida Gulf Coast attracts so many surf anglers, who are interested in targeting pompano. Sebastian Inlet is one of the best pompano fishing spots on the Gulf Coast in Florida. It’s possible to catch pompano from piers and shorelines in the Gulf’s coastal waters.
Anglers, who target pompano on Florida Gulf Coast, prefer to use such fishing techniques as fly fishing and light spinning tackle. A lot of pompano can be found in the grassy flats. Fly fishermen prefer to target pompano in the waters of the northern Gulf Coast.
Florida Atlantic Coast
Beaches along the Florida Atlantic coast are a great place to catch pompano. It’s possible to fish for pompano from bridges, jetties, and piers. Anglers prefer to fish in the places where waters are calm and there are no waves while targeting pompano on the Atlantic coast.
Such places provide anglers with great pompano fishing opportunities. Pompano fishing on the Florida Atlantic coast is productive from spring to fall. Spring is the best time of the year to target pompano on the Florida Atlantic coast.
In spring, pompano moves to the northern part of Florida. Massachusetts is the right place to go fishing for pompano during the spring months.
Florida Keys
Pompano fishing is excellent in the Florida Keys. Fishermen choose to use a light tackle technique to catch pompano in the local waters.
Pompano can be found in the nearshore and offshore waters of the region. It makes sense to target pompano in the bays of Florida Keys.
Deep wrecks also attract a lot of pompano. Pompano in the waters of Florida Keys are not big in size, but they are good fighters. Winter is the best time of year to catch pompano in the subtropical waters of the Florida Keys.
Water cools down and the ideal conditions for fishing pompano are created in the area. The peak pompano fishing season in the Florida Keys starts in November and finishes in February.
Night Fishing Pompano in Florida
Pompano feeds actively in the early morning and in the evening. It’s also possible to fish for pompano at night. However, it would be better to fish on brighter nights. The phases of the moon have an impact on pompano fishing.
Pompano night fishing is best in Florida between a new moon and a full moon. A full moon is the best time to target a trophy-sized pompano.
It’s recommended to fish for pompano in the waters of Florida during night hours between May and September. Water cools down and pompano gets active at night during these months.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for snapper in Florida, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for snapper in Texas, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch pompano in North Carolina, check out this guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for tuna in Florida, check out this article out. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch sheepshead in Florida, check out this article. Click here to learn the best water temperature for pompano fishing. Click here for a breakdown of the best times to catch pompano in Texas. Click here for a breakdown of the best weather for pompano fishing.
