Florida pompano in Florida

Meet the species

Florida pompano
Image credit: © diane rome peebles

Scientific name

Trachinotus carolinus

Overview

Inshore and nearshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster bars and over seagrass beds, often in turbid water. Found in water as deep as 130 feet.

Typical size

Up to 24 inches (8 pounds)

At a glance

Peak months
January–may, december
Regions
Panhandle, tampa bay, northeast, southeast, southwest, keys, central east
Water
Saltwater
Bait
Live sand fleas, shrimp, small crabs, clams & FishBites

Florida fishing record

Weight
8 lb 4 oz
Location
Port st. Joe
Date
Oct 16, 1999
Angler
Barry huston
Type
Florida state record

Open record source

Record catch notes

8.25 lb; by barry huston; on 10/16/1999; at port st. Joe

When to fish

Peak months

January–may, december

Good months

January–december

Season notes

Months mentioned in profile narrative (not a fishing calendar): mar, sep best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak from seasonal WTF bullets (n sea 17, n yr 0, thresh> 7). Peak jan, feb, mar, apr, may, dec good jan, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov & dec.

More season details

Where to fish

Florida regions

Panhandle, tampa bay, northeast, southeast, southwest, keys & central east

Water

Saltwater

Habitat

Inshore and nearshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster bars and over seagrass beds, often in turbid water. Found in water as deep as 130 feet.

More locations and access

How to catch

Pier jigging over bars/troughs, double-drop pompano rig & hop jig and work the fall

Bait

Live sand fleas, shrimp, small crabs, clams & FishBites

Lures

Banana/goofy jigs tipped with shrimp strip & small bright spoons

Videos

Sources

Fishing videos from local voices

Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.