Best Pompano Jigs: Goofy Jigs vs. Jigger Fleas vs. Teasers (Size & Color Chart)
Ask ten pompano anglers what the best pompano jig is and you will hear about goofy jigs, jigger fleas and jigs rigged with a teaser. All three catch fish. The trick is knowing which one to tie on for the water in front of you. This guide compares the main pompano jig styles side by side, then covers weight, color and how to fish them from the beach, piers and inlets.
Pompano Jig Styles Compared
| Jig Style | What It Does Best | Weights | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goofy Pompano Jigs | The classic long, flat banana-style jig. Kicks up sand on the bottom like a fleeing sand flea and casts a mile. | 1/4oz to 1oz | Surf troughs, piers, long casts |
| Pompano Jigs with Teasers | A goofy jig rigged with a teaser fly above it for extra flash and a second hook. | 1/4oz to 1oz | Stained water, schools of fish, doubles |
| Pompano Jigger Fleas | A compact sand flea profile that looks like the real thing. Great when pompano are picky. | 3/8oz to 3/4oz | Clear water, pressured fish |
| Swinging Jigger Fleas | The hook swings free from the head, so the bait moves naturally and fish can't use the weight to throw the hook. | 1/4oz to 1oz | Tipping with shrimp or Fishbites |
| Pompano Teasers | A small fly you add above your jig or bait rig. | n/a | Adding flash to any rig |
What Size Pompano Jig Should You Use?
Use the lightest jig you can cast far enough and keep on the bottom. Pompano feed on sand fleas and small crabs right where the waves break, so your jig needs to bounce along the sand, not get swept down the beach.
| Conditions | Jig Weight |
|---|---|
| Calm surf, shallow troughs, sound side | 1/4oz to 3/8oz |
| Average surf and piers | 3/8oz to 1/2oz |
| Rough surf, deep inlets, strong current, long casts | 3/4oz to 1oz |
Best Pompano Jig Colors
- Pink and candy pink: the most popular pompano color on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
- Yellow and chartreuse: stand out in stained or churned-up water.
- Sand, orange and yellow sand: natural sand flea colors for clear water and picky fish.
- Glow colors: a good choice at dawn, dusk and on cloudy days.
If you don't know where to start, pink, chartreuse and a natural sand color will cover most days. Our Pompano Goofy Jig Box and Pompano Jig Box put a spread of colors in one box.
How to Fish a Pompano Jig
- Find the trough. Look for the darker water between the beach and the first sandbar, or cuts in the bar where water rushes out. Pompano cruise these lanes looking for sand fleas.
- Cast past it and let the jig hit bottom. Keep your line tight as it sinks.
- Hop it back. Use short, sharp lifts of the rod tip so the jig jumps off the bottom and puffs up sand, then let it fall. Most strikes come on the fall or right as it lands.
- Tip it. A small piece of shrimp, sand flea or Fishbites on the hook adds scent and gets more bites.
- Add a teaser when fish are schooled. Doubles are common when the pompano are thick.
Pompano Jig FAQ
What is the best jig for pompano?
A goofy jig is the best all-around pompano jig because it casts far and stays on the bottom in the surf. Switch to a jigger flea in clear water when the fish are picky, and add a teaser when the water is stained.
What color jig is best for pompano?
Pink is the most popular, followed by chartreuse, yellow and natural sand colors. Use brighter colors in stained water and natural colors in clear water.
What weight pompano jig should I use?
Most anglers throw 3/8oz to 1/2oz from the beach. Go 1/4oz in calm water and 3/4oz to 1oz in rough surf or strong current.
Do pompano jigs catch other fish?
Yes. Pompano jigs also catch permit, whiting, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jacks, ladyfish and snook.
Want to learn more? Read how to jig fish for pompano and pompano vs. permit, or shop all of our pompano jigs. Family owned and operated. We pour and paint our own jigs right here in the USA. Buy any 5 packs and save 10% automatically. Questions or want a custom color? Call or text us at 904-852-5435.
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