Florida Gulf · Tampa Bay
Pompano: size limit, bag limit & season
Checked against FWC · July 1, 2026
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a pompano must be at least 11 inches (fork length) to keep. The bag limit is 6 per harvester. Season: Open year-round.
The rules
| Size limit | 11" minimum (fork length) |
|---|---|
| Bag limit | 6 per harvester |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Rules & notes | Hook and line, cast net, and beach/haul seine only. (African pompano has a separate 24" limit.) |
Not legal advice. These are Florida's Gulf-zone limits (Tampa Bay region where FWC sets regional rules), checked against FWC on July 1, 2026. Limits change by region, gear and date — confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.
When pompano are most active
Pompano are most active around the Gulf Coast in February–May and October–November.
Pompano are most active in roughly 68–82°F water (a typical range; they're caught outside it too).
Check it on the water
Log a pompano in Newbreeds and the size check compares your length against these limits — keeper or release — with a link to FWC to confirm. Every catch also records the tide, pressure trend, water temperature and moon automatically, so over time you see which conditions your pompano actually bite in. Logging is free.
Get Newbreeds — free All Florida Gulf limits
Questions
What is the size limit for pompano in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a pompano must be at least 11 inches (fork length) to keep. Hook and line, cast net, and beach/haul seine only. (African pompano has a separate 24" limit.).
How many pompano can I keep in Florida?
The Gulf-zone bag limit is 6 per harvester.
When is pompano season in Florida?
Pompano are open year-round in Florida's Gulf waters.
When is the best time to catch pompano around Tampa Bay?
Pompano are most active around the Gulf Coast in February–May and October–November.
What water temperature do pompano like?
Pompano are most active in roughly 68–82°F water (a typical range; they're caught outside it too).