Pinfish

Season in Space Coast

UF/IFAS: tolerates 50 to 95 F; Trident Pier averages 67 to 87 F (NCEI). Sebastian Inlet anglers use live pinfish for snook (October). (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Pier pilings, jetty rocks, docks.

Right against pilings and rocks.

What to look for

Small silvery fish with yellow and blue stripes and a dark shoulder spot stealing your bait.

Bait

Small pieces of shrimp, Squid, Bloodworms. Two-hook bottom rig with small hooks, or a sabiki rig.

Leader

Light line, small hooks.

Common mistakes

• Hooks too large to catch them

Landing

Swing it up.

Handling

• Sharp dorsal spines
• Incisor-like teeth

Smooth the dorsal fin down before gripping.

Keep or release

Mostly caught as live bait for bigger fish (NC DMF); snook anglers at Sebastian use them live.

Recipes for pinfish

Typical: 2 to 4 in. Large: Up to 8 in.

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

• UF/IFAS FA168: pinfish (temperature and salinity) (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)
• Sebastian Inlet District fishing report (Snookman): week of October 10, mullet drawing in sharks, tarpon and snook (Angler knowledge)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: pinfish (Official source)

All the fish of Space Coast