Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
FR Carangue pompano · ES Pámpano de Florida · PT Pampo-da-Flórida
Also known as: PompanoButterfishCobblerfishPámpano AmarilloPámpano de FloridaCarangue pompanoPampo-da-Flórida
Surf/EstuaryShoreBoat
Gamefish
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; best on clean, greenish surf
Depth
0–15m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Feb–NovGood Jan–Oct
Depth range
0–15mShallow
Best fishing techniques
Float fishing60%
Preferred seabed
Sand
Findr bio
Daylight surf dweller on sandy beaches. Sand fleas or small jigs work wonders...
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Sandy beachShallow water
Recommended baits
PrawnsCrabWorms
Diet
CrabBivalvesAmphipodsPolychaete wormsShrimp
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingSurfcasting
Gear
Best times
DayDawnFlooding tide
Beach-runner on sugar-sand flats — Florida’s surf-zone darling.
Field notes
Where to find them
Florida and Gulf/Atlantic sand surf beaches
Where they hang out
Outer bar and inner trough, close range
Prime time
Year-round; best on clean, greenish surf
Tide game
Moderate; fish the outer bar and trough on moving tide
What they're into
Sand fleas, shrimp
Temperature vibe
Prefers 20–26°C
Fave weather
Clean surf best; avoid milky, churned water
Fun fact about me
Beach-runner on sugar-sand flats — Florida’s surf-zone darling.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Bag/size limits common — check FWC rulesFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Looking after them
Least Concern