Where to find hogfish
Patch reefs, rubble and the edges of the grass in 15–60 ft on the oceanside, and around the Long Key bridge-span reefs. They work the sand patches between the coral heads, often in small groups, rooting with their snouts.
- Reef line off Islamorada · Reef
- Hawk Channel patch reefs · Patch reefs
- Pickles Reef · Reef
When to go
The harvest season runs through the warm months (see the rule card); the best fishing is summer, on a light current in clear water. They feed in daylight, and a calm sunny day when you can see the bottom is ideal.
Best window on the day: Daylight hours. Today's window and score are on the conditions page.
How to catch them
Anchor on a patch reef, chum lightly and fish a live shrimp on a small jig head or knocker rig right on the sand, moving it slowly; hogfish follow a bait and pick it up gently. A small piece of squid or crab works too. Note that spearing is banned in state waters around Islamorada.
Bait & tackle
- Bait
- Live shrimp or small crabs, right on the bottom
- Lures
- Small jigs tipped with shrimp
- Tackle
- 7 ft light-to-medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15–20 lb braid
- Rig
- 3 ft of 20–30 lb fluorocarbon; #1–1/0 non-stainless circle hook on a knocker rig with just enough weight to hold bottom
Spearfishing is banned in state waters from Long Key north to the Miami-Dade County line, which takes in Islamorada out to 3 nautical miles; ask FWC before spearing hogfish farther out, and never spear in a no-take zone.
Tips for your level
- Fish the sand, not the coral: hogfish root in the open patches between the heads.
- They bite softly; a slow lift of the rod tip to feel the weight beats a hard strike.
- The minimum size is measured to the fork of the tail; the rule card has the number.
Keeping one
Among the best in the sea: sweet, white and delicate.
Keep only what you will eat, within the limit, and release the rest in the water where you can.
Questions anglers ask
- Can I spear hogfish in Islamorada?
- Not in state waters: spearfishing is banned from Long Key north to the Miami-Dade line. Ask FWC before spearing farther out, and never in a no-take zone.