Florida pompano in Florida
Florida Florida pompano: limits, records and waters.
- 50.5 lbrecord
Photo: bluecrab, CC BY 4.0
Fishing for Florida pompano in Florida
Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record Florida pompano weighed 50.5 pounds (Daytona Beach, 1990).
FWC on Florida pompano
Where Florida pompano live
“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.”
Florida pompano behavior
“Spawn offshore March to September.”
“Feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, especially sand fleas.”
“Local movements are influenced by the tide, and seasonal movements are influenced by temperature.”
Seasons for Florida pompano
“Spawn offshore March to September.”
“Local movements are influenced by the tide, and seasonal movements are influenced by temperature.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida Florida pompano limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 6 a day | 11 in minimum | Open year-round |
| Statewide | 2 a day | 24 in minimum | Open year-round |
State and federal waters.
No more than 2 per vessel. State waters: hook and line only.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record Florida pompano
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 50.5 | Daytona Beach | 1990 |
| All tackle | 8.25 | Port St. Joe | 1999 |
| Fly | 33.5 | Palm Beach | 1968 |
| Fly | 6.5 | Cocoa Beach | 1978 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for Florida pompano
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Before you target Florida pompano
How many Florida pompano can I keep in Florida?
6 a day (Statewide), size: 11 in minimum.
What is the Florida state record Florida pompano?
It went 50.5 pounds, set in 1990.
What lakes have Florida pompano?
See the bays and reef counties listed for Florida pompano above.
Has Florida stocked Florida pompano?
FWC reports show no Florida pompano stocking lately.
What is the Big Catch minimum for Florida pompano?
No Big Catch size is listed for Florida pompano.
What is the Latin name for Florida pompano?
Trachinotus carolinus.
Do I need a license to catch Florida pompano?
Anglers 16 and up need a saltwater license unless exempt.
Does Florida pompano season ever close?
FWC lists no closure for Florida pompano.
Who sets the Florida pompano rules?
FWC species profiles, regulations, state records and stocking reports.