Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
A fast silver surf fish with yellow fins, commonly found along Florida beaches, passes, and coastal sandbars.
Florida Pompano move through surf zones, passes, sandy flats, and coastal waters on both sides of the state. Their compressed bodies and forked tails suit strong current and breaking surf.
They feed on animals exposed in sand and shell beds. Clean beaches, inlets, and nearshore water protect feeding habitat and support a valuable recreational fishery.
Habitat:
Coastal Waters, Beaches and Dunes, Estuaries and Bays
Area / Range:
Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, Florida Keys
Diet:
Eats sand fleas, small crabs, shrimp, clams, worms, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
Behavior:
Travels in schools through surf and nearshore water, feeding along troughs, bars, beaches, and passes. Movement responds to water temperature and prey availability.
Daytime, Dawn and Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
During clear-water periods along beaches and passes, especially when schools move through the surf.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Not federally listed; managed through Florida recreational and commercial fishery rules.
Safety Level:
Low
Safety Information:
Use wet hands, support the fish, avoid fin spines, and return undersized or unwanted fish promptly.
Benefits to Property:
Supports Florida fishing, seafood, coastal recreation, and the nearshore food web.
Property Concerns:
No direct property concern. Beach pollution, poor water quality, and habitat disturbance can reduce feeding conditions.
Fun Fact:
- Its common name is shared with the Florida city of Pompano Beach.
- It crushes hard-shelled prey with throat teeth.
- Anglers often target it with sand fleas in the surf.
Wildlife Laws:
A saltwater fishing license and current FWC size, bag, season, and gear rules may apply. Verify regulations before harvest.
Identification:
Deep, laterally compressed silver body with a rounded forehead, small mouth, strongly forked tail, and yellow coloring on the throat, belly, and fins. It lacks the long dark fin lobes of an adult permit.