Fish guide
Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus.
Showing the fish for Northeast Florida, Jacksonville to Flagler.
Season in Northeast Florida
Peak months: Apr, May, Oct.
FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: pompano spring to fall in all four counties. Winter water at Fernandina and Mayport averages 57 to 60 F, below the pompano's preferred range (NCEI, waterTempF). (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. Florida rules apply; see the regulations file.
Typical: 1 to 2 lb, 10 to 14 in. Large: 3 to 5 lb.
Limits
FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (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)
- NOAA repository: Florida pompano culture document (temperature tolerances) (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)
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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