African Pompano Fishing Charters

The filaments are thought to make the young fish look like a drifting jellyfish, and they are the reason divers notice them. A grown African pompano looks like a completely different fish: tall, flat and mirror bright, with a steep forehead. It feeds on fish, squid and crabs near the bottom, and on a rod it fights the way flat jacks do, turning its broad side against you and swimming in tight circles under the boat. The flesh is firm and white and good to eat.

Two Mauritius boats list it, and neither sells it as a target, so think of it as one of the jacks that can take a jig or a bait on the day. Small Game Fishing works the lagoon off Mahebourg on light tackle, casting, light trolling and bottom fishing for up to 4, with gear and drinks included. It leaves at 06:00 for 4 or 6 hours, and rainbow runner and bonito share its list.

Out of Trou-aux-Biches, Big game fishing goes offshore at 05:00 for 6 or 9 hours and carries a long range of methods, from trolling and live baiting to jigging and popping. It is booked for one angler. A pompano is more likely on a jig worked near the bottom than on the trolling lures, so if you want to try for one, ask the crew to give part of the day to jigging.