Hogfish

Hogfish Fishing in Florida

Hogfish, also known as hog snapper, move to rocky bottoms, ledges and offshore reefs as they mature, and their long, hog-like snout lets them feed on bottom-dwelling mollusks and crustaceans. FWC lists separate rules for Gulf state waters and Atlantic state waters.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 24.20 lb Panama City Beach · August 2, 2022 · Josh Summerville

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 36 inches
Where it livesYoung in inshore seagrass, adults on rocky bottom, ledges and offshore reefs
What it eatsBottom-dwelling molluscs and crustaceans

FWC says every hogfish starts life as a female and can turn male as it grows.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • Gulf state waters: 14 inches fork length, 5 per harvester, open year-round. Atlantic state waters, which include all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable and the Florida Keys: 16 inches fork length, 1 per harvester, open May 1 to October 31. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.
  • NOAA Fisheries says anglers fishing or transiting Gulf federal waters south of 25°09' N follow the South Atlantic hogfish size limits, bag limits and seasons, and FWC's Atlantic rules cover all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys.

Gulf: when you can keep one

Gulf state waters. FWC lists the same rules for Gulf federal waters north of Cape Sable.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
14 inches fork lengthSize limit
5 per harvesterDaily limit. FWC lists no vessel limit.

Atlantic and the Keys: when you can keep one

All state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys, and up the Atlantic coast.

  • All anglersOpen May 1 to October 31. Harvest closed the rest of the yearFWC. NOAA lists the same federal season as closed January through April and November through December.
16 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 per harvesterDaily limit. FWC lists no vessel limit.

Gear rules

Legal gear is spears, gigs, hook and line, seine and cast net. Reef fish gear rules also apply; in the Atlantic reef fish fishery that means dehooking tools, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, and non-offset circle hooks north of 28° N.

Questions about hogfish

What is the hogfish size limit?

14 inches fork length in the Gulf zone, 16 inches in the Atlantic zone, which includes the Keys.

How many can I keep?

Five per person in the Gulf, but only one per person in the Atlantic zone and the Keys.

When is hogfish season in the Keys?

May 1 to October 31. Harvest is closed the rest of the year.

Is the Gulf season open all year?

Yes, FWC lists the Gulf zone as open year round.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, hogfish regulations and FWC, hogfish profile and NOAA Fisheries, South Atlantic hogfish rule in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.