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Cruising the Beach for Spring Pompano

BY CHRIS VECSEY

As we settle into March, we begin what is perhaps the biggest transitional time of the year. Spring begins to move in bringing warmer water temperatures and many migratory species.

One of the most anticipated targets every spring is the pompano. These prized fish need no introduction. Besides their fighting abilities that rival most on the pound-for-pound scale, pompano is considered to be one of the finest fish on the dinner table.

Connecting with speedy pomps is usually a matter of location, location, location. Pomps love washouts (rip tide) areas off of the beaches and other anomalies that alter beachfront sandbars. These variances in the bottom structure diverts currents which then scour the bottom and reveal food. Sand fleas, ghost shrimp, coquina clams and other pompano forage then becomes an easy picking.

Once a prime piece of beachfront has been located, pompano can be intercepted a couple different ways. The most common method is setting rigs at various distances and depths along the bar/structure being fished or by casting artificial lures like jigs and even soft plastics.

For baits rigs, the typical pompano setup is a two-hook rig of 15-20lb fluorocarbon leader with two hooks attached via dropper loops. The most common hook types and sizes are circle hooks from #1-3/0 or kahle hooks from #6-#1. These hooks are generally spaced at least a foot apart. At the top of the rig is a swivel for line attachment, and a snap swivel or loop at the bottom for the weight. Many use brightly colored “micro floats” to attract pompano and other surf-running species. Pompano use scent like all predators, but they are very sight-oriented feeders and the bright floats will catch their eyes as they roam the surf-line. These rigs can be bought in almost all local tackle shops or tied at home.

Artificial choices vary but the most popular are bright colored nylon or bucktail jigs in orange, pink, chartreuse or other various colors and in weights from ¼-1oz. These jigs should be worked with sharp “hops” from the bottom to catch a pompano’s eyes. Leader sizes for jig fishing can be the same as with the set-rigs, but sometimes it’s necessary to increase the thickness if bluefish and Spanish mackerel crash the party. These toothy critters will make off with your jigs if too light of leader is used.

Pompano fishing is a fun and simple way to enjoy the water this spring. It takes minimal tackle, minimal effort. It’s just a walk on the beach!

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HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO EARN MY USCG CAPTAINS LICENSE?

Are you looking to earn your captains license? Are you confused about how much sea time (experience) it takes to qualify for one? Sea service is a measure of a mariner’s lifetime experience onboard boats, whether recreational, commercial, or military. It may be calculated starting from your 16th birthday and continues to accumulate over time. A day of sea service is any day that a mariner served upon a commercial or military vessel in an assigned position in either the deck or engineering department of a vessel (not as a passenger). It may also be earned on recreational vessels on lakes, rivers, bays, harbors and oceans. The position may include duties such as: handling lines, being a lookout, steering the boat, and other navigational or propulsion duties. Sea service never expires and may be reused when applying for new endorsements. As a note, it’s the mariner’s responsibility to keep copies of all sea service records including the location (body of water it was earned in). What counts as a “day”? A “day,” as defined by the regulations, is 8 hours on a commercial vessel and 4 hours on a recreational vessel. Credit for a full day will only be given for service of 4 hours or more (See 46 CFR 10.107, for the official definition of “Day”).

Captain Jack R. Sanzalone is a 30-year submarine veteran and licensed USCG Master Captain and Assessor with 41 years of experience. He’s the owner of The Captain School Orange Beach Alabama. You can contact Captain Jack at: jack@boattutors.com or by visiting his website at www. boattutors.com