Hogfish in Florida

Meet the species

Scientific name

Lachnolaimus maximus

Overview

Newly spawned hogfish have a larval duration of about 26 days with the young settling in shallow inshore nursery habitats such as seagrass beds. As hogfish mature, they gradually move to deeper waters and rocky bottoms, ledges and offshore reefs.

Typical size

Up to 36 inches also known as hog snapper.

At a glance

Peak months: January–may, december
Regions: Tampa bay, southwest, keys
Water: Saltwater
Bait: Shrimp, crab, squid, cut baitfish & artificial jigs (UF/IFAS). Bottom presentation.

Florida fishing record

Weight: 24 lb 3 oz
Location: Panama city beach
Date: Aug 2, 2022
Angler: Josh summerville
Type: Florida state record

Open record source

Record catch notes

24.2 lb; by josh summerville; on 08/02/2022; at panama city beach

When to fish

Peak months

January–may, december

Good months

January–december

Season notes

Closed/REGS: FWC hogfish: atlantic state waters open may 1–oct 31, gulf open year-round. Closed or poor months reflects atlantic closed months. Best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak from seasonal WTF bullets (n sea 3, n yr 0, thresh> 2). Peak jan, feb, mar, apr, may, dec good jan, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov, dec. UF/IFAS: more active summer or night, winter also good & year-round in gulf state waters.

More season details