Florida targeted fish
Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus · pomps
High-energy beaches, inlet troughs, and the first bar off the sand. They cruise the wash.
Season on this coast
A cool-water fish. Peak December through March on gulf beaches.
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- Slow
- Fair
- Good
- Prime
How to fish them
Walk the beach with a 7-weight spinning rod and a yellow/white jig, bouncing the first trough. After a north wind, they pin to the bar. Surf rigs with sand fleas still catch plenty.
Typical size. Eaters 12–16 in; doormats over 3 lb on a strong winter blow.
Bait
- Sand fleas
- Fresh shrimp
- Pompano jigs
- Goofy jigs
Regulations
Pompano have a minimum size and bag. They are one of the finest eating fish in Florida — ice them immediately.
Captain’s brief
What’s biting, and where to start
Sign in and ask for a one-page briefing for a city, a month, and a target fish. Written for this coast — not a generic chatbot.