Florida pompano across North Carolina
Where Florida pompano live in North Carolina, with limits.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 8 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: bluecrab, CC BY 4.0
Florida pompano across the state
North Carolina anglers find Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) in saltwater habitat. Creel and size (NCDMF, coastal and joint fishing waters): no creel limit, no size limit.
The record book shows 8 lb. 0 oz. from Carolina Beach, 2001. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 2 pounds or greater.
What NCDMF writes about Florida pompano
“A Florida pompano has a deep, laterally compressed body with a short, blunt snout. It has six small spines in front of the dorsal fin and two spines in front of the anal fin. In the water, the pompano appears to have a golden belly and fins with whitish-platinum sides. When removed from the water, the pompano turns dark greenish-blue on top and silvery-white on the bottom.”
- SizeFlorida pompano are usually smaller than 3 pounds.
- HabitatFlorida pompano are abundant in high salinity, nearshore and inshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster banks and grass beds.
- DietAdult pompano feed on small surf clams, amphipods, crabs, shrimp and mussels.
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch Florida pompano by bottom fishing with natural baits, such as sand fleas, cut bait, fiddler crabs and shrimp. They are most often caught in the surf just behind the breakers. Pompano are often taken just inside the surf zone in shallow water with soft-shelled sand fleas.
- Also calledpompano
- Confused withpermit, crevalle jack
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
North Carolina limits on Florida pompano
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | no creel limit | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Record Florida pompano from North Carolina
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 8 lb. 0 oz. | Carolina Beach | 2001 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species beside Florida pompano on the list
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
What is near Florida pompano, in pictures
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: User:Dincher, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Questions people send about Florida pompano
How many Florida pompano can I keep in North Carolina?
no creel limit (Coastal and joint fishing waters), size no size limit.
How heavy is the North Carolina record Florida pompano?
8 lb. 0 oz. from Carolina Beach (2001).
Which waters are best for Florida pompano?
Florida pompano are abundant in high salinity, nearshore and inshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster banks and grass beds.
Do NCWRC hatcheries raise Florida pompano?
No.
What other names does Florida pompano go by?
Florida pompano are usually smaller than 3 pounds.
When are Florida pompano in season?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Which license works on Florida pompano?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which guides target Florida pompano?
No guide lists it.
Find Florida pompano close to home
Pick any lake or stream listed above.