Pompano & Other Jacks, Sea Bream

Jack and sea bream have a similar body line—oval with prominent fins and a wide Y-shaped tail. Most of them live in tropical or warm waters worldwide. The meat is generally firm, with widely varying flavor, from the light fragrance of the best sea bream to the richness of some species of jack. At first glance, opah or moonfish might also be a bream, but it is quite a different fish, growing up to 100 lb/45 kg. The meat is excellent, pink and full of flavor, and species are found worldwide.

Species of jack vary a great deal. Most have the heavy bones and soft flesh typical of warm water fish, but a few of them, such as the pompano, are very desirable, with sweet, white meat. Pompano's silky, smooth silver skin is instantly recognizable. Permit is a very similar fish, though it is much heavier—up to 50 lb/23 kg, in contrast to the pompano's usual 2 lb/1 kg—with a somewhat coarser, drier flesh. A third look-alike is called palometa or longfin pompano. As true pompano commands a higher price, all these fish are often sold as pompano.