Hogfish

US fish and state coverage

Lachnolaimus maximus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Dec
Typical depth
Typical size
Up to 36 inches Also known as hog snapper.
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
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.
Diet
feed on bottom-dwelling mollusks and crustaceans.
Aliases
hog snapper
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Peak months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Dec
Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
FWC Where-to-Fish best times (regional): Winter-spring; Summer-fall · Year-round presence/fishing opportunity (intentional display).
Bite time of day
Often more active during summer or night hours (UF/IFAS).

Where to fish

Habitat summary
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.
Habitat zone
both
Fishing zone
both

How to catch

Techniques
small baits on light tackle near hard bottom

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
Shrimp; crab; squid; cut baitfish; artificial jigs (UF/IFAS). Bottom presentation.

Size

Typical size
Up to 36 inches Also known as hog snapper.

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
24.2
Record location
Panama City Beach
Record date
08/02/2022
Record angler
Josh Summerville
Record catch text
24.2 lb; by Josh Summerville; on 08/02/2022; at Panama City Beach

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 364 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 253 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 3 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.