Pompano

Pompano Fishing in Florida

Florida pompano live in inshore and nearshore waters, especially along sandy beaches, oyster bars and over seagrass beds. FWC sets an 11-inch fork length minimum and a daily bag limit of 6 per harvester.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 8.25 lb Port St. Joe · October 16, 1999 · Barry Huston

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

How big pompano run

Federal interviewers measured 113 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 11.3–15.4 inches, with a median of 12.6 inches. Most were kept: 112 landed against 61 released.

NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.

About the fish

SizeUp to 24 inches and 8 pounds
Where it livesBeaches, oyster bars and seagrass beds, often in murky water, as deep as 130 feet
What it eatsMollusks and crustaceans, especially sand fleas

FWC says pompano spawn offshore from March to September.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • FWC's pompano rules apply in state and federal waters. Special regulations apply when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
  • Only hook and line, cast nets and beach or haul seines are allowed, and snatching is prohibited.
  • FWC prohibits harvest with multiple hooks used with live or dead natural bait.

Florida pompano, statewide: when you can keep one

State and federal waters. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
11 inches fork lengthSize limit
6 per person per dayDaily limit. Hook and line, cast net and beach or haul seine only.

Questions about pompano

How big does a pompano have to be?

11 inches fork length.

How many pompano can I keep?

6 per person per day.

Is there a closed season?

No. FWC lists pompano as open year round.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, permit and pompano regulations and FWC, Florida pompano profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.