nearshore

Florida Pompano

Trachinotus carolinus

Surf-fishing prize. Sand fleas on long rods, dropper rigs through the troughs. Migrate north spring + south fall.

Preferred water temp55–78°F

Preferred depth3–50 ft

Peak monthsMar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Holds onsurf zone, sand bars, passes, beach troughs

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 10 of 10 regulations

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 6 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 24 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 11″ FL (fork length)

6/person, vessel max 24. 11" fork minimum.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 6 / angler / day
Minimum: 11″ FL (fork length)

Hook and line only in state waters.

FL Gulf pompano: 6/day, 11" FL.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

No specific GA bag/size limit (general saltwater regs apply).

Georgia DNR.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

No specific NC bag/size limit (general saltwater regs apply).

NC DMF.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ FL (fork length)

3/person/day, 12" FL min.

Alabama CNR-MRD.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ FL (fork length)

3/person/day, 12" FL min.

Mississippi DMR.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

No specific LA bag/size limit.

Louisiana DWF.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 6 / angler / day
Minimum: 11″ FL (fork length)

Hook and line only in state waters.

FL Atlantic pompano: 6/day, 11" FL.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 15 / angler / day

15/person/day. No size limit.

SC DNR.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

No specific TX bag/size limit.

Texas Parks & Wildlife.