Pinfish

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Lagodon rhomboides
Common Names:	pinfish, pin perch,, sand perch
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore, Surf
Ideal Temp:	68-84°F (20-29°C)

About Pinfish

A small fish with an oval body, small mouth, incisor-like teeth and sharp dorsal spines. The body is silvery with yellow and blue horizontal stripes and four or five vertical lines. There is a black spot behind the gill cover. The pectoral and caudal fins are yellow. The dorsal fin is blue and yellow striped. Pinfish grow to 8 inches, but common catches range between 2 inches and 4 inches.

Pinfish rarely school (swim in groups) and are most active in daytime, although some nocturnal activity has been observed. Extremely high and low temperatures cause pinfish to migrate from shallow areas to deeper areas. Adults and juveniles migrate out of the shallower waters in the fall to their spawning grounds in the deeper waters nearshore.

Pinfish are found around pilings, rocks and vegetated areas in shallow waters from Cape Cod, Mass., to Yucatan, Mexico, including the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda and the northern coast of Cuba.
 
While notorious for stealing bait, they are popular for live bait fishing. Snook, Spotted seatrout, Tarpon, Red drum, and Flounder feed on pinfish. It is also a prefered bait for may Gag Grouper fishermen.

Pinfish Fishing

World Record:	3 lb 5 oz (1.51 kg) Horn Island, Mississippi, USA - 9-4-1992
# Fish Caught:	5377414 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 28.55823, -96.24038.
Latest Record:	8/1/2024 4:39:00 PM and located at 30.66968, -81.46259.
Common Techniques:	Bottom Fishing
Popular Lure Types:	Bottom Rig
Fishing Spots:	48 Pinfish fishing spots.

Latest Pinfish Fishing Reports and Spots

freeman beach - 6/29/2025 1:02:00 PM

12p-3p, 4 poles, caught about 10 fish mainly pinfish (View)

Naples Fishing Charters Summer Report: Peak Snook Tarpon and Redfish Action in Late June and July - 6/19/2025 9:21:21 AM

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM The tarpon migration continues along the beaches with schools migrating north although sometimes t (View)

Peak Tarpon Season: Summer Migration Brings Hot Action to Naples and Marco Island Waters - 6/10/2025 6:48:57 AM

We are in peak tarpon season and the spring migration is in full swing.  Fishing has been good for tarpon with live crabs being the bait of cho (View)

Old Dog Teaching Tricks - 6/6/2025 3:39:00 PM

 I wrapped my week up fishing with the Verner boys Patrick and his sons Bryan and Patrick and grandson James. We met early down at Sawpit Creek (View)

Had To Work For 'Em Today - 6/5/2025 4:18:00 PM

 We went out of Old Town Bait and Tackle this morning after meeting Joey Shiver his son Casey and son-in-law Brett early for a half day of fish (View)

Weekly Forecast (6.3.25 – 6.9.25) - 6/2/2025 2:47:03 PM

It's a BIG week for giveaways on Spacefish... We've drawn 6 winners total for FSFA and CFSA annual club memberships a SZ Gift Card and a Penn S (View)

SILVER KINGS ERUPT: Naples & Marco Island Tarpon Migration Hits Full Stride - 5/8/2025 11:03:36 AM

Tarpon season is in full swing with tarpon cruising up and down the beaches as well as some big fish in some backcountry bays adjacent to passe (View)

Weekly Forecast (5.6.25 – 5.12.25) - 5/5/2025 12:40:56 PM

This week we've got a new Penn Spinfisher Combo Giveaway courtesy of Strike-Zone Fishing; plus an awesome writeup by Knox Robinson on affordabl (View)

Tyger Beauty - 8/1/2024 4:39:00 PM

t's always a treat to get to fish the outside of Tyger Island as the sun comes up - the sun shining on the marsh grass and trees with birds roo (View)

Shaking It Up - 6/28/2024 4:46:00 PM

 We shook things up today and did something different - after meeting John Raker out at Goffinsville Park we headed east out to Nassau Sound an (View)