Hogfish recreational harvest will close in state and federal waters off the east coast of Florida and Florida Keys Nov. 1. This closure includes all state waters south of Cape Sable, which is on the Gulf side of Florida, and up the Atlantic coast. The Keys/east Florida hogfish season runs from May 1 through Oct. 31.
Recreational harvest remains open in state and federal waters north of Cape Sable in the Gulf.
Regulations
Gulf State Waters
Minimum Size Limit: 14″ fork length
Daily Bag Limit: 5 per harvester
Season: Open year-round
Atlantic State Waters
(includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys)
Minimum Size Limit: 16″ fork length
Daily Bag Limit: 1 per harvester
Season: Open May 1-Oct. 31
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
In the Atlantic reef fish fishery, gear rules require dehooking tools, and as of Jan. 1, 2021, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, and non-offset circle hooks N. of 28 ° N. latitude.
Other Regulations
Gear Requirements:
- Legal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net
- Reef fish gear requirements apply
Federal waters:
Gulf federal waters north of Cape Sable: Open year-round, 14-inch minimum size limit, 5-fish/person recreational bag limit.
Atlantic federal waters: Open May 1-Oct. 31 annually. 16-inch minimum size limit, 1-fish/person recreational bag limit.