Florida pompanoin Florida (Gulf)
Trachinotus carolinus
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for Florida pompano in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Measured as fork length (FL): snout to the fork of the tail.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Gulf) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida pompanoThis page. | 11 in fork length min | 6 per person | Open year-round |
| PermitLarger, orange belly patch, deeper body.Tell them apart | 11-22 in fork length slot (outside Special Permit Zone) | 2 per person; 1 may be over 22 in (max 2 over 22 in per vessel) | Open year-round outside SPZ |
Florida (Gulf) state record
8.25 lb, Port St. Joe, 1999. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Deep silver body, yellow throat and belly, blunt face; surf runner. More on the Florida pompano page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Florida pompano in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a Florida pompano in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appFlorida pompano in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for Florida pompano in Florida (Gulf)?
11 in fork length min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many Florida pompano can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
6 per person.
When is Florida pompano season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record Florida pompano?
8.25 lb, Port St. Joe (1999).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) Florida pompano rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.