Fish guide
Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus.
Showing the fish for Charleston and the Lowcountry, SC.
Season in Charleston
SCDNR October forecast lists pompano at Folly Beach Pier. Pompano need warm water (about 66 F and up, see waterTempF); Charleston Harbor entrance water is 68 F or warmer from late April to October (NCEI). (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Florida Keys | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Right in the wash and the first trough, especially where sand fleas are thick.
In the wash and first trough, rooting for sand fleas and coquinas.
What to look for
Sand fleas in the receding wash, clean green water, a gentle shorebreak.
What to throw
Bait
Live sand fleas (mole crabs), Shrimp pieces with Fishbites, Clams. Double-drop pompano rig with floats or beads, #1 to 2/0 circle hooks, 2 to 4 oz sinker.
Leader
20 to 30 lb.
Common mistakes
- Casting far beyond them
- Fishing them in dirty, rough water
Landing
Strong for their size; slide them up on a wave.
Handling
No special hazards.
Keep or release
Prized eating. No SC size or bag limit.
Typical: 1 to 2 lb, 10 to 14 in. Large: 3 to 5 lb.
South Carolina limits
- Minimum: none
- Maximum: none
- Bag: none
- Season: No state regulations listed
Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations.
Sources
- SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
- NOAA repository: Florida pompano culture document (temperature tolerances) (Official source)
- NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide, all-stations monthly averages (Charleston Cooper River Entrance, Fort Pulaski, Gray's Reef, Fernandina Beach, Mayport, St. Augustine, Trident Pier Port Canaveral, Lake Worth Pier, Fowey Rocks, Virginia Key, Vaca Key, Key West) (Official source)
- Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)
- Carolina Sportsman: soaking baits in the surf (Fort Fisher, NC, 2023) (Angler knowledge)
- SC finfish size and catch limits 2026-2027 (eRegulations, linked from SCDNR), last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)
Is pompano worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
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