Fish guide
Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus.
Showing the fish for Southeast Florida, Fort Pierce to Miami.
Season in Southeast Florida
Peak months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec.
FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: pompano winter to spring (Martin, St. Lucie). Juno Bait: very good on the beach from Juno Beach Pier to Jupiter Island in March, improved in April, the first good showing of the season at the pier in October. (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
The beach from south of Juno Beach Pier to Jupiter Island and the pier itself, on sand fleas, clams, fresh shrimp or Fishbites, or Doc's Goofy Jigs from the pier; early morning and late afternoon, and after a north swell (Juno Bait).
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)
- Juno Bait and Tackle, Weekend Fishing Outlook, March 17 2022 (Angler knowledge)
- Juno Bait and Tackle, Easter Weekend Fishing Outlook, April 17 2025 (Angler knowledge)
- Juno Bait and Tackle, Weekend Fishing Outlook, October 10 2024 (Angler knowledge)
- 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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