Where to fish for hogfish
151 charters name hogfish on their own website, across 65 towns in 1 state.
State records for hogfish
The heaviest hogfish each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 24.2 lb | Panama City Beach | 2022 | Josh Summervillesource |
| South Carolina | 21.94 lb | Charleston | 2011 | W. Covingtonsource |
| North Carolina | 21.38 lb | Frying Pan Shoals | 2005 | Derek Williamssource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
How big hogfish run
Federal interviewers measured 216 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 13.7–16.9 inches, with a median of 14.7 inches.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 359 released against 226 kept — more put back than taken, which is what a closed season or a tight limit looks like. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.
About the fish
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.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Gulf
Gulf state waters. FWC lists the same rules for Gulf federal waters north of Cape Sable.
- All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
Atlantic and the Keys
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.
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.