Also known as
- Great Pompano US
- Palometa US
Identification
A deep-bodied, laterally compressed Atlantic flats sportfish — exceptionally muscular, builder of punishing runs and stubborn bottom-oriented resistance. Males and females alike.
- Brilliant silvery body with bluish-green to golden highlights
- Dark or dusky orange patch near the bottom of the anal fin
- Small black spot under the pectoral fin base
- No bony plates along the midline — distinguishes the species from jacks
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Sandy Shores
- Coral Reefs
- Seagrass Meadows
- Flats
Behaviour
A tropical and subtropical flats predator working the upper 30m around shallow sand flats, turtle-grass beds, mangrove edges, channel margins, reef drop-offs, and offshore wrecks. Roots in sand and mud for crustaceans and molluscs, often tailing in inches of water with the tail breaking the surface. Notoriously wary with exceptional eyesight; pushes onto shallow flats on rising tides, retreats to deeper channels at low tide. Adults solitary or in small schools; most active in 22-28°C (72-82°F).
Diet: Crabs, Shrimp, Molluscs
How it's caught
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
The dominant Florida Keys, Belize, Bahamas, and Mexico flats sight-fishing approach — cast a weighted crab pattern, mantis shrimp, or merkin variant 4-6 feet ahead of a tailing or cruising fish on shallow sand or turtle-grass flats. Slow deliberate strips imitate fleeing crabs; let the fly drop on the take. Permit inspect thoroughly — accuracy and stealth matter more than fly choice. 8-10wt rod, floating WF saltwater line, 16-20lb fluorocarbon shock tippet.
Line Fishing
Live Lining
An equally productive sight-cast approach — drift a live blue crab, fiddler crab, or live shrimp on a 1/0-3/0 circle hook with 30-40lb fluorocarbon leader, freeline or with a small split shot for natural drift. Cast 4-6 feet ahead of cruising fish on flats, channels, and reef edges. Permit inspect baits before committing; let the fish take before tightening up. PE2-3 spinning tackle.
Spinning
An effective approach with crab-imitating presentations — cast a 1/4-1/2oz crab-pattern jig, soft plastic crab, or shrimp imitation on light tackle and work it with short hops along the bottom. Sight-cast to feeding or cruising fish on flats, channels, and reef edges. More selective than live bait but a viable lure-only option. PE2-3 spinning tackle, 30-40lb fluorocarbon leader.
Bottom Fishing
A productive approach when fish stack on offshore wrecks and reefs — drop a whole live or fresh crab on a 3/0-5/0 circle hook with a sliding sinker rig and minimal weight to maintain natural drift in current. Permit aggregate around structure where food concentrates. PE3-4 tackle, 50-60lb fluorocarbon leader.
Spear Fishing
Inshore Spearfishing
An accessible reef-and-wreck approach — free-dive offshore wrecks, reef drop-offs, and channel edges in 10-30m where fish patrol structure. Fish are wary; approach slowly using structure for cover. Aim for the head or spine — the deep muscular body demands clean shot placement. 110-120cm gun with double bands and 7.0-7.5mm shaft, breakaway rig recommended for powerful runs.
