Species profile
Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
Identify Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 10 (Mississippi); the most generous is 250 (Florida).
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 13.0 in (≈ 1 ft 1 in).
Confirmed by 1,475 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Florida Pompano are widely considered one of the finest-tasting fish in North America.
- Most caught fish weigh 1–3 pounds; they rarely exceed 8 pounds.
- They feed heavily on sand fleas (mole crabs) buried in the surf zone.
- In aquaculture, pompano can reach harvestable size in as little as 6–12 months.
- Their range stretches from Massachusetts to Brazil, but Florida waters are their stronghold.
Where Florida Pompano are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Florida Pompano
Background
The Florida pompano is a species of marine fish in the Trachinotus (pompano) genus of the family Carangidae. It has a compressed body and short snout; coloration varies from blue-greenish silver on the dorsal areas and silver to yellow on the body and fins. It can be found along the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean, depending on the season, and is popular for both sport and commercial fishing.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Florida Pompano article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Florida Pompano?
Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Florida Pompano?
Florida Pompano is Trachinotus carolinus.
Is Florida Pompano regulated for fishing?
Yes — Florida Pompano has fishing regulations in 3 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Florida Pompano?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Florida Pompano along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.