Best Times & Seasons to Catch Pompano in Texas (Full Guide)
Pompano are some of the most popular fish to target in Texas. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch pompano in Texas helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.
The best time to catch pompano in Texas is late spring through early fall, especially in the early morning and afternoon. They are most active when the water is warm and the tides moving.
Texas offers world-class pompano fishing throughout the year. Pompano can be found in Texas’s sandy shores, near jetties, and coastal channels. Uncover the secrets of the best fishing times in Texas with this guide.
Best Times to Catch Pompano in Texas
The best time to catch pompano in Texas is late spring to early fall, especially when the water is warm. These fish like water temperatures between 80 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times to fish for them. You’ll find pompano near the shoreline but in deeper water areas, like sandbars or drop-offs.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch snook in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for sheepshead in the best times.
Seasonal Breakdown: Texas Pompano
Winter
Winter is not the best time to catch pompano in Texas. They like warmer water. If you still want to try, go on a sunny day. The warmest part of the day is best. Look for them close to the shore. They will be in saltwater, not in places like rivers or creeks. Try deeper areas near the shore like sandbars.
Spring
Spring is one of the best times to catch pompano in Texas. The water starts to warm up and the fish become active. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish. You can find them near the shoreline. Look for places where the water gets deeper like sandbars.
Summer
Summer is a great time to catch pompano in Texas. The water is warm, which they like. The best times to fish are early morning and late afternoon. You can find them close to the shoreline. Look in deeper areas like sandbars.
Fall
In Texas, fall is not the best season for catching pompano. They prefer warm water. Early fall can still be a good time if the water is warm. Try fishing in the morning or late afternoon. Look for them near the shoreline in deeper spots like sandbars.
Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day
To catch pompano in Texas, the best times are early morning and late afternoon. These fish are more active when the sun is not too bright. Avoid fishing in the middle of the day. That’s when the sun is highest and the fish don’t like it.
Tides matter too. Fishing during incoming or high tide can be good. That’s when the water is moving and pompano look for food. Low tide is not a great time because the fish move to deeper water. Look for them close to the shore, especially around deeper spots like sandbars.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Texas
These Texas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and will 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 |
| Grace Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Drift Water Charters | South Padre Island, TX |
| The Bay Bandits | Port O’Connor, TX |
| Galveston Offshore | Galveston, TX |
| Lil Joe’s Guide Service | Port Aransas, TX |
| Bravo Zulu Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Team Liberty Guide Service | Corpus Christi, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing | Galveston, TX |
| Bodes Bay Fishing | Port Isabel, TX |
Night Fishing for Texas Pompano
Catching pompano at night is not the best idea. These fish are most active during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon. At night, they usually go to deeper water and are not looking for food near the surface. If you still want to try, use bright lures or baits to get their attention. But remember, your chances are during the daytime.
Top Texas Pompano Locations
Galveston Island: This place is great for catching pompano in the spring and summer. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to go fishing here. Look for places where the water gets deeper, like channels.
Port Aransas: Fall is a good season to catch pompano here. They hang out near jetties and sandbars, especially during outgoing tides.
South Padre Island: Spring and summer are the best seasons. You can find pompano near the shore, usually in the morning and late afternoon.
Corpus Christi: Summer is a good time for pompano fishing here. Focus on times when the tide is coming in or going out.
Bolivar Peninsula: Late spring and early summer are ideal for catching pompano. Early mornings are usually the best time to find them.
Matagorda Bay: Pompano are most active here in the fall. Look for them near sandbars and channels during outgoing tides.
Rockport: Spring and fall are good times for pompano. Try fishing near jetties or sandbars during incoming tides.
Mustang Island: Spring is the best season here. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to catch pompano close to the shore.
Freeport: Summer and fall are good for pompano fishing. Look for them near sandbars, especially when the tide is changing.
Surfside Beach: Spring and summer are the best times. Go fishing in the mornings or late afternoons, especially when the tide is coming in or going out.
Texas Pompano & Weather
Weather can change how easy or hard it is to catch pompano in Texas. On sunny days, pompano are usually more active and easier to catch. They like warm water, so you’ll have a better chance when it’s hot outside. But they might go to deeper water to cool off if it’s too hot.
On cloudy or windy days, pompano may be harder to find. They don’t like rough water, so if there’s a storm or wind, it’s not the best time to fish for them. Cold fronts can also make them less active and harder to catch.
Rain can be tricky. Light rain might not affect them much, but heavy rain can make the water murky. Pompano don’t like murky water because it’s harder for them to find food. So, the best time to fish for pompano is when the weather is warm and calm.
Texas Pompano Spawning Season
Pompano in Texas spawn from late spring to early fall. The best time to find them spawning is when the water temperature is warm, around 80 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. During spawning, these fish like to be near the coastline in slightly deeper water but not too far from the beach. You won’t find them in creeks or rivers because they prefer saltwater.
