Pompano

     Trachinotus carolinus, or Pompano, is one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean. The Pompano is a special fish because it has no scales. It consist of three main colors, silver, greenish blue, and bright yellow. The blueish green is on the top while the bright yellow is on the belly. The bright yellow is one of the most magnificent colors you will see on a fish out of the ocean. The average Pompano weighs no more than 3 pounds. The record Pompano came in weighing 8 pounds and one ounce. 
     Fishing for Pompano is very easy and relaxing. All you need is a rod, hooks, and some bait. Small pieces of shrimp work best as your bait. Throw your rod into the water and wait for the bite. You will feel a little nudge and that is when the Pompano is biting. You do not have to set the hook hard because Pompano is not a large fish. Pompano do not fight very hard but the real prize is seeing the beauty of the fish out of the water.
     Pompano is one of the easiest fish to catch if you know where to find them. Fishing in the surf along sandy beaches is the most popular to catch Pompano. Some other places to catch Pompano are off piers, and under bridges. When fishing the surf in the beach the only thing to remember is that you need to cast the rod far out into the ocean. 
     Though Pompano do not much meat due to their size, but the meat they due have is rated some of the best tasting fish in the ocean. Here is a recipe courtesy of "http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1726,151181-236203,00.html"


Ingredients 

• 6 fresh pompano fillets
• 3 sticks of unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp. sweet paprika
• 2 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. ground red pepper (preferably cayenne)
• 3/4 tsp. white pepper
• 3/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves

Instructions

Thoroughly combine ingredients for seasoning mix in a bowl. Unused mixture can be stored in empty spice jar. Dip each fillet in melted butter so that both sides are well coated; then sprinkle seasoning mix generously and evenly on skinless side of fillets, patting it in by hand. 
Place fillets skin side down in a very hot cast iron skillet on outdoor grill. Pour one teaspoon of melted butter on top of each fillet. Cooking must be done outdoors because of extreme smoke from skillet.