The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Pompano Trachinotus carolinus
Pompano Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 12–17 in, 1–3 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 25 in and 8 lb |
| Lifespan | Up to 7 years |
| Range | Sandy surf and nearshore water from the mid-Atlantic south through Florida and all along the Gulf of Mexico to Texas. |
| Habitat | Beach troughs and sloughs in the breakers, plus inlets, passes, bars and grass flats in water under about 130 ft. |
| Diet | Sand fleas (mole crabs), coquina clams, small shrimp and crabs dug out of the wash. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Pompano
- Deep, compressed, silvery body with a yellow-tinged belly and fins
- Small mouth, blunt rounded snout, no prominent teeth
- Deeply forked tail
- Short-based, similarly-shaped soft dorsal and anal fins (no elongated filaments)
- No dark spot on the body or pectoral fin (vs the dark-shouldered permit/lookdown)
Tell it apart: A small, deep, silvery fish with a deeply forked tail, yellow belly, blunt face, and no body spots or trailing fin filaments is a Florida pompano; a permit grows much larger, deeper, and shows a dark patch on the side/pectoral.
How to Catch Pompano
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- Peaks in spring and again early fall; fish sand fleas or Fishbites on a pompano rig in the surf and around passes.GearPompano rigsBanana jigsSurf casting combo
When & Where Pompano Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf of Mexico Inshore |
Pompano Regulations
FloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)AlabamaAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division (Outdoor Alabama)MississippiMississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR)LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)TexasTexas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council)GMFMC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.