Florida · Northeast
POMPANO FISHING
IN ST. AUGUSTINE
St. Augustine is a solid destination for pompano fishing, with peak season in May and good catches in April. Book a charter and target pompano with local experts.
About Pompano Fishing in St. Augustine
One of the most prized eating fish in the Gulf. Found in the surf and along sandy beaches.
Florida Pompano are among the most prized eating fish in the ocean — their rich, buttery flesh commands premium prices in restaurants. These torpedo-shaped fish have a silver body with a yellow-gold belly and fins, a deeply forked tail, and a small, downturned mouth. They travel in schools along sandy beaches, following the surf line to feed on sand fleas (mole crabs), clams, and small crustaceans. Males and females are nearly identical in appearance.
Scientific name: Trachinotus carolinus
Pompano Seasonal Calendar — St. Augustine
Month-by-month availability for pompano in St. Augustine, FL.
How to Catch Pompano in St. Augustine
Techniques & Bait
Live sand fleas (mole crabs) are the ultimate pompano bait, fished on a double-drop pompano rig with a pyramid sinker in the surf. Fishfinder rigs with fresh-cut shrimp or Fishbites artificial baits (in shrimp or sand flea scent) are highly effective. From boats, small jigs (1/4-3/8 oz) tipped with shrimp or Fishbites bounced along sandy bottoms produce well. Doc's Goofy Jigs and pompano-specific teardrop jigs in pink, chartreuse, and yellow are favorites.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-light surf rod (9-10 ft) or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft) for boat fishing. 3000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. Size #1-1/0 circle hooks for surf rigs.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in St. Augustine
Top spots where local captains target pompano and other inshore species.
St. Augustine Inlet
St. Augustine Inlet connects the Matanzas River and Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic and is the region's primary inshore fishing hotspot. Redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum hold around the jetty rocks, while tarpon and jack crevalle push through the inlet during summer. The strong tidal currents create a natural fish-concentrating funnel.
Matanzas River
The Matanzas River flows through downtown St. Augustine and south through pristine salt marsh habitat teeming with redfish and spotted seatrout. Oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass flats along the river provide year-round habitat for inshore species. The section near the Bridge of Lions and around Vilano is particularly productive.
Guana River Preserve
The Guana River and Tolomato River system north of St. Augustine flows through the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, offering pristine inshore fishing in protected marsh waters. Redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder patrol the grass edges and oyster bars in a largely undeveloped setting. Kayak fishing is especially popular in the shallow creeks.
Salt Run
Salt Run is a sheltered tidal lagoon in the heart of St. Augustine near Anastasia State Park, offering easy-access fishing for redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead. The shallow grass flats and oyster bars are prime wade-fishing territory on lower tides. Its proximity to downtown makes it one of the most convenient fishing spots in the area.
Other Species in St. Augustine
More fish you can target while visiting St. Augustine.
Pompano Fishing in St. Augustine — FAQ
The peak months for Pompano fishing in St. Augustine are May. During these months, Pompano are most active and abundant in the St. Augustine area.
Pompano fishing charters in St. Augustine are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live sand fleas (mole crabs) are the ultimate pompano bait, fished on a double-drop pompano rig with a pyramid sinker in the surf. Fishfinder rigs with fresh-cut shrimp or Fishbites artificial baits (in shrimp or sand flea scent) are highly effective. From boats, small jigs (1/4-3/8 oz) tipped with shrimp or Fishbites bounced along sandy bottoms produce well. Doc's Goofy Jigs and pompano-specific teardrop jigs in pink, chartreuse, and yellow are favorites.
No — when you book a charter in St. Augustine, your captain provides all required Florida fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Pompano regulations in Florida include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Pompano in St. Augustine, you may also catch Black Sea Bass, Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, Speckled Trout. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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