November and December mark the initial phase of winter time surf fishing on the Central East Coast of Florida. The dog days of summer morphed through the fall season to transition into winter weather patterns. Cooling water temperatures bring with it an entire new cast of species perusing local area beaches from Cocoa Beach south to Sebastian Inlet. Pompano, whiting, bluefish, black drum and ladyfish to name a few.
Surf fishing Cocoa Beach during December marks the peak season months to pursue pompano. Crisp breezes sweep over the cool sand. Nostalgic smells indicate the weather laying the foundation for what we know are prime Pompano fishing days. The days of remembering record catches in ideal conditions has everyone for their first big pompano catch of the season. For these reasons there will be plenty of surf fishing anglers out in numbers looking to strike it big!
Surf Fishing Pillars To Success
The keys to successfully catching pompano while surf fishing in Brevard County consist in the pillars of surf fishing. Water temperatures, water clarity and beach contours. First and foremost the water temperature. Ideally when the ocean water drops below 75 degrees is when we start to see a real push. Pompano running south from north Florida will stage in the area as long as the food is present. This migration is entirely driven by water temperatures and that’s one reason it’s vulnerable to deviate year in and year out.
Secondarily, the water clarity influences which beaches and how far from the shore migratory pompano roam. Because of this, it’s worth doing your due diligence. Find areas that hold the emerald green waters along with the tropical blue shades. Pompano particularly feed by sight so these areas will provide the highest probability of success.
Look for varied wind patterns to clean or dirty the waters. Traditionally northern winds clean the water up and offshore winds dirty the water. Due in part to the region wide “sand renourishment”. With the continued dumping of dirt and clay on the regional beaches there’s no end in sight to the negative effects we continue to experience.
State and local agencies have made it an annual priority to import and dump this muck on the shores. In turn, crustaceans like sandfleas have disappeared and the reefs are being suffocated. Currently the dumping looks to begin right in the height of our initial pompano run November they January and into March. This will effect not only the water clarity but also the contours of each beach as the new dirt is shifted around with each wave.
How to catch pompano surf fishing
Pompano targeting tactics vary slightly but largely remain consistent throughout the state. Pompano rigs with multicolored floats and beads makeup the majority of what experienced surf fisherman employ. Furthermore the top baits for pompano fishing the surf are Fishbites, sandfleas, fresh clams, and peeled shrimp. Work the pompano rigs in a varied pattern. Meaning cast some fat out past the sandbar as well as working the inner troughs. Covering all the basis helps to focus on where the fish are feeding primarily.
Whiting, Black Drum, and Spanish Mackerel – Winter Surf Fishing Species
Along with the craze of the infamous pompano run don’t overlook delicious table fare species. Bycatch of pompano fishing can result with great catches of whiting, black drum, Spanish mackerel and even Permit. Knowing this leaves each tug of the line with a pleasant surprise of what might be at the other end. So be sure to include all the regulations and know before you go which species can be retained and legal limit sizes. Tis the season for great conditions to hit the beach and catch up the premium species.
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