By: Capt. Roan and Rich
Happy New Year from Rich and Roan at Reel Nautical Jigs, we hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday and looking forward to a great 2026. Winter has arrived to Southwest Florida and there is only one jig we recommend using this month. Reel Nautical Latex Tube Jig or what we call The PJ Jig. Not saying all our other jigs will not work this month, but you should never leave home without this one in your arsenal. We designed it around a sparky head with a super strong and extra sharp hook, with perfect gap size for everything. We encapsulate the heads with the bodies for a more durable jig. Colors are your choice, but my favorite is pink and yellow. Designed for Pompano, this jig will literally catch everything that swims.
Species that we generally target this time of the year are pompano, trout, sheepshead, whiting, bluefish, drum, well the list goes on. Pompano are typically our main quarry, as they are so much fun to catch and are amazing on the dinner table. This time of the year they will be found primarily in the deeper parts of intercoastal waterways or any deeper channels of creeks and rivers leading into back bays. They can also be found along with trout in any deeper channels along flats, but you need to find water typically deeper than 6 feet and better the deepest channels you can find. The key to catching this time of the year is slow down bouncing the jig up and down off the bottom but making sure it hits the bottom on the drop. Tipping the jig greatly increases your chances at catching. Tiny pieces of shrimp or squid work great, but you can also fill the tubes with Pro Cure Gell which will last a number of casts but usually you will have something before it wears off. Lots of kid friendly species this time of the year and might even find a permit lurking with the pompano.
I get asked at the shop on how I like to cook pompano. Well, the easiest way is in a straight sauté pan with butter. Pompano do not have scales so leave the skin on when cleaning just remember to score the sides, so they do not curl when cooking. Sauté butter in pan, lay filets meat side up, salt and pepper to taste and a squeeze of lemon if you like. Do not over cook I usually flip once just to color flesh side but then finish skin side down. If you like a sauce, add shallots and a couple pats of butter and little white wine.
We invite you to see our full line of PJ Jigs at one of the local Bait and Tackle stores like Mikes Bait House, Marco Island Bait and Tackle, Rio Villa in Punta Gorda and The Bait Shop of Lake Placid, or check them out online at www.reelnautical.net or drop us an email: reelnautical239@gmail.com