African Pompano, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
African Pompano
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African Pompano Description
African Pompano are a striking but somewhat mysterious fish. They are a bright silver color and look like shimmering mirrors in the water as they are being reeled in. They have a wide geographic range but there are few places where there are large concentrations of them. When they are juveniles they have long trailing filaments that come off their dorsal and anal fins. As they get older these disappear. They are primarily found in nearshore areas.
Like all members of the Jack family they pull very hard for their size. Unlike many members of the Jack family, they are actually pretty tasty to eat.
For some great pics of African Pompano and Roosterfish action in Mexico, check out this video slideshow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJgJnK9DCEI
African Pompano Tackle
If you are targeting large adult specimens (and what else would you target really?) I recommend conventional gear with 50lb braid lines or so. An Accurate BX reel should work great. Although they are not as adept at bricking you in the rocks as Snappers or Groupers, you do need to pull hard to ensure that doesn’t happen. Click here for tackle recommendations and click here to buy recommended tackle at the online store.
African Pompano Techniques
I have seen smaller ones caught on metal jigs but haven’t heard of many people having much luck with lures. Mine have all been caught on bait.
African Pompano Lures
I do not know of any lures that consistently work for large specimens, although that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
African Pompano Baits
Slow trolling baits is a good way to catch these fish when they are not too deep. In fact, all the ones I have caught have been caught this way. Live baits like Goggle Eyes work well. I caught my largest one on a strip bait made out of a small Snapper caught in Belize.
Where to get the big African Pompano
This is a tough one. Puerto Vallarta sometimes has a decent run of them in Feb-April timeframe. Fish a few days before the new moon. I have heard that some decent catches are made in Florida but have never caught one there. I have also heard there is a good fishery for these in North Carolina but have not tried that out either.
Other African Pompano Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch African Pompano. These guys can put you on the fish if you are in Mexico: www.monsteryellowfin.com
Home
African Pompano Description
African Pompano are a striking but somewhat mysterious fish. They are a bright silver color and look like shimmering mirrors in the water as they are being reeled in. They have a wide geographic range but there are few places where there are large concentrations of them. When they are juveniles they have long trailing filaments that come off their dorsal and anal fins. As they get older these disappear. They are primarily found in nearshore areas.
Like all members of the Jack family they pull very hard for their size. Unlike many members of the Jack family, they are actually pretty tasty to eat.
For some great pics of African Pompano and Roosterfish action in Mexico, check out this video slideshow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJgJnK9DCEI
African Pompano Tackle
If you are targeting large adult specimens (and what else would you target really?) I recommend conventional gear with 50lb braid lines or so. An Accurate BX reel should work great. Although they are not as adept at bricking you in the rocks as Snappers or Groupers, you do need to pull hard to ensure that doesn’t happen. Click here for tackle recommendations and click here to buy recommended tackle at the online store.
African Pompano Techniques
I have seen smaller ones caught on metal jigs but haven’t heard of many people having much luck with lures. Mine have all been caught on bait.
African Pompano Lures
I do not know of any lures that consistently work for large specimens, although that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
African Pompano Baits
Slow trolling baits is a good way to catch these fish when they are not too deep. In fact, all the ones I have caught have been caught this way. Live baits like Goggle Eyes work well. I caught my largest one on a strip bait made out of a small Snapper caught in Belize.
Where to get the big African Pompano
This is a tough one. Puerto Vallarta sometimes has a decent run of them in Feb-April timeframe. Fish a few days before the new moon. I have heard that some decent catches are made in Florida but have never caught one there. I have also heard there is a good fishery for these in North Carolina but have not tried that out either.
Other African Pompano Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch African Pompano. These guys can put you on the fish if you are in Mexico: www.monsteryellowfin.com
Click on a pic below to enlarge
