African Pompano

[seapower]

Hey guy's, went fishing yesterday and had one of those great days we live for. We were fishing on some wrecks in shallow water ( about 80ft), with butterfly jigs. First drop Bam HOLD ON, right to the bottom, doubled over the whole time. Finally broke off, straighted out the split rings on the Butterfly jig. Sent down a second one, bam same thing,man these fish are strong. Finally shreaded and I mean shreaded 100lb Yozuri flouro. Sent down another jig, bam, shreaded 100lb Seagur flouro. Ok I'm now 0 for 3. Brought up a big Amber Jack next, good pull but nothing at all like the previous 3. Sent another jig down and bam from the mystery fish (still haven't seen one). Well the rest of the story is I think I lost 5 jigs and never even got to see a fish. I rigged up what I had left with wire leaders. Ended up hooking and fighting the largest Tiger Shark I've ever seen on rod and reel for over 1 1/2 hours before my 30lb mono finally gave up the ghost. A friend of mine said it sounded like we may have gotten into a bunch of big African Pompano, I don't know. What do ya'll think. I was fishing out of Ocracoke. Are these fish good to eat. I've already started re-rigging and licking my wounds. I don't plan to be "out gunned" next time. I'd really like to see what was trashing me so bad. Frank

[clt_capt]

African Pompano are great eating and one heck of a fight, but even the larger ones I've caught haven't matched a large grouper or a big AJ for a fight.

Maybe one of the guys that bottom fish a lot have an idea.

What size jig hooks?

[seapower]

clt_capt, Thanks for you input on the Pompano. I think that the bigger grouper here at this time of year are in deeper water, although one of the guys with me said it felt like a big grouper, maybe I just don't know. We did get one big AJ but it just didn't feel the same. The next time out I plan on going to the same wreck, but will be loaded for bear. I probably won't get a hit next time.Frank

[freebird2]

Big AJs is my guess. We caught an African last week but not the fight a big AJ gives.

[SeaBiscuit]

Frank, my guess is amberjacks if you were "butterfly" jigging (working the jig up from the bottom through the water column) If you were yo - yo jigging in contact with the bottom, then i would guess gag grouper. A 10 pounder can be impossible to turn in heavy cover such as wrecks.

African pompanos are very game and taste excellent, but they do not take advantage of structure the way a gag will or an amberjack can.

I would try a lot heavier tackle next time. 100 lb leader will work fine, if you allow no drag slip to the fish. So use a heavy rod with 100 lb braid and a reel capable of at least 20 - 25 lb of drag with freespool and lock that drag down! You got to show those rascals who is boss. If its gags, once you get them 10 feet off the bottom you are OK but if it's big jacks may the force be with you Those brutes don't quit easy and get large!

Good luck and keep us posted.
SeaBiscuit

[shoefish]

Man that sounds awesome! It stinks to lose gear, but to lose it like that takes the sting out a little

Now I have no idea what the heck it could be, but I wanted to make a comment to you on your set up. You mentioned that whatever it was straightened out your split rings. I'm not sure if you've tried it like this, but the best way to rig your butterflies is to tie your leader and the hook to your solid ring, and then use the split ring to connect the solid ring to the jig. When you do that, the pressure of the fish is direct from the hook to the solid ring, to the leader, and the weaker split ring isn't even involved other than to hold the weight of the jig.

When you get back out there, good luck with round 2!

[seapower]

Thanks guys for the input. I guess the consencious is AJ's. I spolled 4 rods with 80lb "powerpro" this afternoon. My plan was to used a 100lb class multi-strand wire leader. I've not seen flouro leaders stranded and broken like they were yesterday from any fish I've caught so far. They kinda looked like a VHF antenna that you broke across your knee, just splintered. Is this from the tail of the fish or just strain. Like I said I rigged up my last jig with a wire leader and ended up hooking and fighting a very big Tiger for a good hour and a half, but the leader held.Thanks for any info, I'm pretty new at this. Frank

[weekender]

something is wrong with your rigging on the jigs. You say you are using butterfly jigs and the split ring is spreading/straightening out. There should be almost no pressure on the split ring. The splint ring should attach to the jig on one side and to a solid steel ring on the other. Your hooks and main line should attach to the solid ring. The only pressure on the split ring is the weight of the jig itself.

[seapower]

your comments on the way the jigs were rigged is correct. The 1st one straightened the split rings. The others were rigged correctly, thats when the leaders got trashed. What brand of jig hooks are the best. Owner brand keeps coming up. Thanks for the advice, any help is appreciated. Frank

[Captain Michael Buffington]

That was aj's and after 3 lost fish, no biters I am sure. Once you miss 1 aj he takes 10 of his friends with him as he leaves. Heavier tackle would be my suggestion...

Mike