Picture Courtesy of NOAA

Gary's Seafood Specialties

"Famous By Word Of Mouth"

Florida Seafood

Catfish, Lake Okeechobee - Clams, Cedar Key - Cobia - Crabs, Florida Stone Crabs - Dolphin - Escolar - Flounder - Frog Legs - Golden Tile - Grouper, Black - Grouper, Red - Grouper, Scamp - Grouper, Snowy - Grouper, Wreck - Grouper, Yellow Edge - Kingfish - Lobster, Spiny Lobster - Mahimahi - Pompano - Sheephead - Shrimp, Head On, Fresh - Shrimp, Rock Shrimp - Snapper, Atlantic Lane - Snapper, Beeliner - Snapper, Brazilian - Snapper, Dog - Snapper, Genuine American Red - Snapper, Hog - Snapper, Mangrove - Snapper, Margate - Snapper, Mutton - Snapper, Porgy - Snapper, Yelloweye - Snapper, Yellow Tail - Sturgeon, Mote Marine Aquarium - Swordfish - Tuna, Albacore - Tuna, Bluefin - Tuna, Yellowfin - Trigger Fish - Tripletail - Wahoo

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(Everything is subject to government regulations and weather)

Florida Pompano

Trachinotus Carolinus

The Florida Pompano is a member of the Jack family of fish, and is one of at least 20 species of Pompano. The Florida Pompano is one of the very most prized salt-water fish due to its wonderful flavor. They are best prepared sautéed. As with all great things in life, the more people want to have it, the higher the price. This is true for Pompano, as it is one of the most expensive salt-water fish.

Florida Pompano generally live in the Gulf of Mexico and areas of the Caribbean Sea. Strangely, they are largely absent in the clear waters off of the Bahamas. Commercially, Florida Pompano are caught from Virginia to Texas, with 90% of the catch coming from the state of Florida. The bulk of the catch in Florida comes from the area between Charlotte County and Monroe County, with the majority of the fish being caught in the Ft. Myers, Naples area.

The countries that catch the most Florida Pompano are the United States, Mexico and the Island Nations of the Caribbean. The major consumers of Pompano are the United States, Spain, France and the islands of the Caribbean Sea.

Although the record Pompano in Florida is 8lb., 1 oz., most average about 3#, or 17-25”. They usually have a life-span of 3-4 years, although some have been observed to live as long as 7 years.

Also commonly referred to as Sunfish, the Florida Pompano is often confused with the Permit. They are actually quite different as Permit can grow in excess of 40 pounds.

Male Pompano become sexually mature at 1 year of age. Female Pompano don’t reach sexual maturity until 2-3 years of age. Pompano spawn from spring through fall.

Pompano live on a diet of mollusks, crustaceans and sand fleas. Local movements of Pompano schools are influenced by tides, while seasonal movements of the fish are determined by the temperature of the water. Although extremely rare, Florida Pompano have been found as far north as Cape Cod.

While inshore, Pompano like to live near oyster beds, sandy beaches and grass beds. While out at sea, they can live in depths up to 130 feet. Pompano enjoy somewhat turbulent water, and are often seen playing in the wake of boats.

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