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Bield:Fish
Species migration profile

Florida Pompano migration calendar.

Trachinotus carolinusMigratoryAlso: Pompano, Sunfish

Surf fishing with sand fleas, fresh shrimp, or pompano jigs is the iconic method. Spring runs along the FL east coast (April–May) and SE Atlantic and fall pushes south are peak windows. Fish the trough behind the first sandbar at moving tide.

Conservation & regulation

Stable. Not subject to federal management — state-managed.

Where the florida pompano are this year

Region-by-region presence. Sorted by current month — regions where florida pompano are at peak or good status this month appear first.

RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Central Florida East Coast
South Atlantic
Florida Panhandle
Gulf Coast
Southeast Florida
South Atlantic
PeakGoodFairPossibleAbsent

Temperature triggers

  • Preferred: 6580°F
  • Avoid below: 58°F
  • Avoid above: 86°F

Read the water temperature, not the calendar — fish move when the water hits these thresholds, not when the date does.

Primary baitfish

  • Sand fleas (mole crabs)
  • Clams
  • Small shrimp

Predators follow prey. Track the bait — find the bait, find the florida pompano.

Regulation & sources

State bag and size limits vary. Florida bag limits typically 6 per angler with 11-inch fork length minimum.

Track florida pompano arrivals on your coast.

Bield: Fish notifies you when water temperatures and bait movements line up for your home region — so you're on the water the day they show up, not the week after.