Spring is the most special time of all to wet your line on the Forgotten Gulf Coast of Florida. Every year Mother Nature’s perpetual clock signals all living things that Spring is a time of renewal. And the fishes respond with the innate urge to begin their annual migrations. Water temperature drives these great hordes of fish to our shores and somewhere around 68 degrees, Mother Nature rings the dinner bell and the spectacular action begins anew. Trout, reds, Spanish, cobia, Kings and many more answer the bell.

Two of the most highly-prized fish of Spring are Red Snappers and Pompano. Let me share with you the Reader’s Digest version of the when, where and how relating to these most sought-after species.

Around mid April, the Red Snapper season reopens after a 5 month recreational closure. In the Gulf of Mexico South of Saint George Island, Red Snappers are found along offshore ledges, wrecks and natural bottom, often as shallow as 50 feet. They spawn from June to October on the unforgettable coast.

First rate baits for snappers will include live Cigar Minnows at the top of your list. Other productive offerings are large live shrimp, poggies, quality squid, pinfish and fresh cut baits like pigfish and squirrel fish. When these hard-fighting critters are in an eating mode, frozen, cut Cigar Minnows will fill your bag limit. In the Gulf, the snapper aggregate is 10 per angler per day, 4 of which can be Red Snappers, at least 16 inches in overall length. The Florida State record is 46 pounds, 8 ounces. Who wants to take a shot at that?

Tackle should be 20 pound class minimum. Your best results will be achieved with fluorocarbon leaders, as snappers are sometimes very leader-shy. Razor sharp circle hooks like Owner Mutu-lite 5/0 will hook the fish in the corner of the mouth to facilitate live release of short fish. J hooks are most often swallowed, making unhooking difficult without injury.

A favorite Red Snapper recipe is simple. Chargrill the fillets over even heat with a baste of lemon, garlic butter until flaky white. Serve with a steamed artichoke, your most favorite California white and throw in the jazz and candles. Enjoy!

Speaking of good eats, how about another delicacy that many regard as the ultimate in exquisite dining, the Florida Pompano.

Pompano begin to show up in the barrier island passes around Saint George about mid- March, even earlier around Destin and Panama City. For many cabin-fever weary anglers, Pompano fishing is the all-consuming obsession of Spring. So, this prized-fighter deserves its own considerable ink.

Pompano pros know that live sand fleas (sand crabs) are sure-fire baits. Take your trusty sand flea rake to Carrabelle Beach on an outgoing tide. In knee-deep water, where the last wave breaks onto the beach, rake up several dozen and put them in your 5 gallon bucket with a few inches of sand. Don’t let them get too hot, they will die. As a back up, buy a few dozen live or fresh-dead small shrimp. Sand flea collection is an inexact science at best and tackle shops do not normally sell them here.

The Florida daily bag limit for Pompano is 10 fish per angler per day in a slot between 10 and 20 inches, measured from the fork of the tail. One fish can be greater than 20 inches and that would be a real trophy. The current Florida State record was caught at Port St. Joe and stands at 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Unfortunately, the Pompano fishery is distressed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently assessed Pompano stocks and announced that they are being harvested at unsustainable levels. Considerable debate continues on this issue, but the trend has been to lower bag limits and increase size limits.

The East Pass between Dog and Saint George Islands has historically been a popular spot to try for these tasty boys. You can drive there through the Saint George State Park, if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle (soft sand). Or, try the jetties of the Government Cut on the West end of Saint George, however the fishing here gets overcrowded when the Pompano show up. Look for troughs in the surf along the entire 20 miles of Saint George Island’s beautiful beaches. These are Pompano feeding super highways.

Tackle varies widely with personal taste, but my best success has been with 8 pound class spinning gear. Terminal systems are important. First, try a ¼ or ½ ounce Ny-Lure jig with a sand flea sweetener. Yellow and red is a consistent producer. Trim off the nylon flush with the end of the hook. Or, on a light fluorocarbon leader, tie a #4 Daiichi Bleeding Bait hook and pin on a flea. Use an egg sinker heavy enough to reach bottom in the current, or a pyramid sinker in the surf. Try adding a bright red plastic bead to the rig. Pompano are sight-feeders and the red hook and bead will catch their eye. This is a very natural presentation, when fished very slowly on the bottom. The idea is to trick them, not just feed them. If you use shrimp, pinch off a small piece and impale it on your small hook, as Pompano have very small mouths. Incidental catches with shrimp will include the good-eating whiting and a few slot redfish.

If I only had one opportunity to target Spring Pompano, I would select April 16th. That is a Full Moon and I would be on the water with a bucket-full of sand fleas fishing by moon light very early. It is not uncommon while running to startle a school of Pompano. They skip across the water like flat rocks. Come off plane and come about, then motor up current and quietly anchor. Many times you will find the fish.

Sauteed Pompano is arguably the best of the best. Try olive oil, white wine, shallots, mushrooms, lemon, dill, real butter, salt and pepper. Here’s to Springtime angling on the Forgotten Coast!

Till next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,

Captain Alex Crawford
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association