Category Archives: Pompano
Silver Pompano ( Trachinotus baillonii )
Expert Angler and Fishing Guide Joseph G. with his Dart caught on Grande Is. in Subic.
Common Name: Pompano, Dart, Swallowtail
Local Name: Pampano, Salay-salay, Talakitok (Tagalog); Uruk (Cebuano)
Max Size: 60 cm (1.5 kgs)
Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Reef Associated
Depth: Surface – ?? m
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait/Lures: small minnow lures, flies, and shrimp
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
This species of Pompano is a member of the Carangidae family of jacks and pompanos. It is found around the Philippines often close to shore near reefs, lagoons, and along sandy beaches. These fish travel in pairs or small groups and often feed near the surface on small fish.
Like other jacks and pompanos this species makes great table fare. The elongated shape of this species along with its small spots on the sides help identify the fish.
Joseph caught the fish above on a small lure while casting from Grande Island near Subic.
Black Pomfret ( Parastromateus niger )
Black Pomfrets caught in the Tanon Strait off Guihulngan, Negros
Common Name: Pomfret,
Local Name: Duhay, Pampano (Tagalog); ?? (Cebuano)
Max Size: 75 cm
Biodiversity: Marine, Reef Associated
Depth: 1 – 100+ m
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait/Lures:
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
We received a report recently that these fish are being caught in the Tanon Strait in between Negros and Cebu. They are quite rare in those waters and the local fishermen do not have a local name for them. These fish are mainly caught in nets though they are likely to be taken on sabiki type rigs because they feed mainly on zooplankton.
Snubnose Pompano ( Trachinotus blochii )
Common Name: Snubnose Pompano
Local Name: Permit,
Max Size: 110 cm
Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Reef Associated, Endemic
Fishing Season: All Year Long
This is a species closely related to the Permit ( Trachinotus falcatus ) of the Atlantic. It is often called Permit here however its correct name is Pompano. This fish is found throughout the Indo Pacific where the juveniles school often along sandy shorelines, sandy or muddy bays and river mouths. The adults tend to be more solitary and are more commonly found around coral reef and rocky reefs. These fish feed primarily on mollusks and hard shelled invertebrates. Great baits for these fish include hermit crabs, small sand crabs and other mussels and shells.
The fish pictured above was caught by Jun in Puerto Azul located in Cavite.
Pompano Dolphinfish ( Coryphaena equiselis )
Common Name: Pompano Dolphinfish,
Local Name: Dorado, Lali (Bisaya)
Max Size: 127 cm (commonly 50cm)
Biodiversity: Marine, Pelagic, Endemic
Fishing Season: All Year Long
This is a small species of fish that is often misidentified as juvenile Dorado (Mahi Mahi). It is in fact a different species known as a Pompano Dolphinfish. They are smaller than their Dorado cousins but also travel is schools. One way to identify the species is by the long dorsal fin which extends the length of their whole body.
These were caught off of Dumaguete by angler Mike and his companions while they were fishing around FADs or payaw. These fish were in a feeding frenzy and Mike related to me that they were hitting just about every lure that was thrown at them. Over 40 fish were caught in an hour.
So next time you are out hunting around payaw and come across “baby” Dorado, take a closer look at it and see if you have a Pompano Dolphinfish. These are an excellent food fish tasting like Dorado, but sweeter according to Mike.
Silver Moony ( Monodactylus argenteus )
Common Name: Moony, Silver Moonfish, Malayan Angel
Local Name: Lapis (Bisaya)
Max Size: 27 cm (commonly 12 cm)
Depth: 1 – ?? m
Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Freshwater, Pelagic-Neritic, Endemic
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: 5 inches
Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, krill
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Here is a relatively small species of fish similar to a pompano that can be caught in the ocean as well as estuaries, mangroves and along the shore line. This species, also known as Silver Moonfish or Malayan Angel, feeds on plankton small crustaceans and small fish and can be caught using small hooks and bait. These fish are found in schools and so when you catch one you can expect more to follow. These fish are known to grow up to 12 inches and are excellent food fish similar to Spanish Mackerel and Trevally. Here in Cebu they are known as Lapis. These two pictured above were caught off of Mactan Island. These fish are also popular in the aquarium trade and are known as Mono Angel. The smaller juveniles can actually be kept in fresh water.
Silver Moony caught on Shell Island, Cebu
Fishing The Philippines 