This stunning fish is a tough one to catch. Though African Pompanos aren’t rare or endangered, they don’t have a specific habitat region, so pinpointing their location can be difficult. This doesn’t mean that all hope is lost, however! By knowing what they like, where they swim, and techniques that they tend to go for, you too can be one of the few fishers who have caught this stunning species. The African Pompano is a rare trophy fish to catch for any passionate angler.
Where to Find an African Pompano
This fish is an interesting one to set your sights on. Most fishers know it as the of fish that only is caught when you’re trying to catch something else. Many instances of the fish being caught by fishermen are when the fishing party either set their sights on a different fish or went out for a general fishing day on the water. This is commonly attributed to this species lack of large school and specified gathering grounds.
They also don’t have a specific environment they tend to favor which means you could encounter them almost anywhere in the world. Florida offers some great fishing for the African Pompano, but only allows you to take two per-boat. Thailand hosts another spot of favorable waters for the African Pompano as well as many Pacific and Indian Islands. If you’re looking for specific spots of where African Pompanos are located, find records of where common catching is found and make your way there. Be sure to understand your local state or country regulations when fishing for the African Pompano.
Younger African Pompanos tend to be found in deeper waters, but the adults of the species favor more shallow areas such as coasts, shoals, jitters, wrecks, piers, and docks. Something about the manmade structures attracts them and if you’re to encounter an adult African Pompano, chances are it will be right out on the deck. For fishers who don’t like to go out on boats, this is fantastic news as you can catch the African Pompano right from the shore. To learn more about the African Pompano, head over to Big Water Adventures.
How to Catch an African Pompano
Though these fish are by no means rare or endangered, catching them can be rather difficult. There are many different techniques that fishers tend to employ when fishing for this species, but chances are still low that you’ll reel in an African Pompano every time. Because they’re located in such shallow regions, you’ll be fending with other types of fish who fall for the same tricks and may be braver than your intended catch. Finding the right technique for you requires experience and trials with each tactic to see how it fares for your luck.
One of the most effective tactics used for catching the African Pompano would be drift fishing. Once you’ve located a spot where you believe there to be a few adult African Pompanos, simply cast your line, and let the current take your boat where it does. Chances are these fish are drifting with the current as well and the likelihood of your lure flowing into their path is rather high. This is an easy way to grab attention to your line without having to exert much strain.
As the African Pompano tends to inhabit areas around wrecks or underwater structures, another popular method of catching this species would be bottom bouncing. This technique also utilizes a drifting boat but leaves the lure on the bottom of the water and allows it to skim and hop across the sand or mud. This is a great way to draw attention to your lure from fish who live near the bottom and inhabit these lower reaches. Be careful of snagging, however, as the ocean floor can be rocky.
Other common fishing tactics for the African Pompano include fly-fishing, saltwater trolling, surf casting, still fishing, and bait casting. Any of these methods have been proven successful for catching an African Pompano and should be attempted before you settle on the method of your choice. Another handy tip that many fishermen who have caught the African Pompano recommend is to find an underwater wreck or structure just offshore. This species likes to inhabit these areas.
Best Bait for African Pompano
While you might not be putting a full fish on your line as your bait, it is useful to know what an African Pompano’s diet is. This species tends to favor crustaceans and smaller fish within the area. This enables you to prepare your bait better and to choose what you’re casting out based on what the fish will go for. Chances are, if you’re using tuna as your bait, the African Pompanos in the region will run away as that is their natural predator.
Attracting the attention of an African Pompano will be difficult and might take some flair to do so. The exact recommended set up will be covered in the next section, but it’s recommended to use the bait to aid the lure design. The best bait to use for this fish is small live or dead bait. Finding small fish in the region that the African Pompano are likely to snack on will be beneficial as well as you can use those fish as live bait for your catch. If they recognize the scent as their food, they’re likely to come.
Casting your live bait out above an underwater wreck is the best way to up your chances of catching the African Pompano – you’re combining their favorite spot to be found with their favorite bait. Be careful, however, as many different species of fish tend to be found around underwater wrecks and so there’s no guarantee that you’ll pick up the African Pompano.
Best Lures & Lines for African Pompano
Flair is something the African Pompano tends to enjoy, and grabbing their attention is pivotal to catching them. Because of this, it’s useful to tie on both live and dead bait as well as lures, jigs, and feathers. You’ll also want a heavy lead as this will allow your line to reach the bottom where these fish will most likely be treading.
Catching an African Pompano isn’t all about luck. By studying where they’re likely to be found, preparing your bait based on what the local schools are eating, and setting up your line in a fashion that will grab their attention, you can greatly improve your chances of catching this fish. Though they aren’t rare, catching one is difficult, but you can do it with a little preparation.
