Jack (Carangidae)
Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
About the florida pompano
Pompano are the gold standard of surf and pier fishing. Their flanks literally shimmer gold in the sunlight. Pound for pound, they're one of the strongest fighters you'll encounter, and their firm, rich meat commands top dollar in restaurants. Catching pompano from a pier is a real accomplishment.
- inshore
- surf zone
- premium table fare
- jack family
Where to find them
Piers that report florida pompano
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Juno Beach Pier
Peak season- Months
- Oct–Apr
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp, Fishbites
- Average size
- 12–18 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
The bread and butter of Juno Pier. Best during fall and winter runs with incoming tide.
- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
Springmaid Pier
Slow- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
Surfside Pier
Slow- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
Garden City Pier
Slow- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
Pier 14
Slow- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
Apache Pier
Slow- Months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
South Carolina rules
Keeping florida pompano
Pompano
saltwater- Minimum size
- None
- Maximum size
- None
- Daily bag limit
- —
- Closed season
- None
N/A
No size or bag limit in SC
Summarized from SCDNR. Limits change — confirm before you keep a fish at the SCDNR source.