Pompano are another one of my favorite fish. I have not had much luck fishing for them in Homosassa, anytime other than the fall. Typical, they are a surprise catch while trout fishing. If you happen across them, anchor up. They are also a school fish and tend to stay together. The normal jig and tail with a fishbite has worked for me. If I do encounter a school, I switch to pompano rigs and seem to pick up a few.

They are great eating and there are a number of receipes available for them. I have not had much luck in the size department, as most of the pompano I catch are in the 12 to 14" range.

Florida Pompano

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Trachinotus carolinus

Description: greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides; fish in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins; deep flattened body with small mouth; no scutes; 22 to 27 soft dorsal rays; 20 to 23 soft anal rays; origin of anal fin slightly behind origin of second dorsal.

Similar Fish: permit, T. falcatus, palometa, T. goodei. The permit is deeper bodied; dorsal body profile not strongly angled at insertion of second dorsal fin; pompano rarely grow larger than 6 pounds, permit common to 40 pounds.

Where found: INSHORE and NEARSHORE waters, especially along sandy beaches, along oyster banks, and over grassbeds, often in turbid water; may be found in water as deep as 130 feet.

Size: usually less than 3 pounds.

*Florida Record: 8 lbs, 1 oz.

Remarks: spawns OFFSHORE between March and September; feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, especially sand fleas; local movements are influenced by the tide, and seasonal movements are influenced by temperature.

* The Florida records quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.

Regulations

Min. Size Limits: Not less than 10" not more than 20" at the fork.

Closed Seasons: None.

Daily Rec. Bag Limit: 10 per person per day aggregate of permit or pompano.

Remarks: May possess one over 20" of either permit or pompano. Gigging, spearing, and snatching prohibited.


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