Pompano regulations
Surf fishing with sand fleas and Fishbites on double drop rigs, or jigging the passes and bridges on the Gulf side in spring.
Applies to: state and federal waters unless noted
| Species / zone | Season | Size | Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Pompano Statewide | open now Open year-round | Minimum Size Limit: 11" fork length | Daily Bag Limit: 6 per harvester | Hook and line, cast net and beach or haul seine only Prohibited Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park. |
| African Pompano Statewide | open now Open year-round | Minimum Size Limit: 24" fork length | Daily Bag Limit: 2 per harvester; Vessel Limit: No more than 2 per vessel | State waters: Hook and line only. Federal waters: Hook and line and spearing. Prohibited Gear: harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park. |
- The Pompano Endorsement Zone (PEZ) is a zone created that allows commercial fishermen who hold a pompano endorsement (PE) to use gill nets legally for pompano in federal waters off Florida. This zone is from federal waters lying between 25°09' North Latitude (Cape Sable) and 26°00' North Latitude (Hurricane Pass in Collier County) in the Gulf of America.
Source: FWC, extracted 2026-09-12. Review flags: The page lists 'Permit inside the SPZ' and 'Permit, all other state and federal waters outside the SPZ' as separate regulatory blocks. These have been mapped to distinct zones in the rules array.; The 'Pompano Endorsement Zone (PEZ)' description refers to commercial fishermen and gill nets, which is outside the scope of recreational regulations but included in general notes for context.
Seasonal pattern
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Dec