Palometain Florida (Gulf)
Trachinotus goodei
Also called Longfin pompano.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for palometa in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Florida's pompano/permit rule covers Florida pompano, permit, and African pompano — palometa isn't included.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PalometaThis page. | No size limit | 2 fish or 100 lb per day | Open year-round |
| Florida pompanoNo long black lobes, no bars.Tell them apart | 11 in fork length min | 6 per person | Open year-round |
| PermitGrows far larger; 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 |
How to tell it
Surf pompano with dramatically long black-edged dorsal and anal lobes and four faint side bars. More on the palometa page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Palometa in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a palometa in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appPalometa in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for palometa in Florida (Gulf)?
No size limit.
How many palometa can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
2 fish or 100 lb per day.
When is palometa season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) palometa 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.