Congratulations to Daniel Skelton with an 18.5lb Hogfish shot stone cold in the Florida Middle Grounds!  He is the winner of this weeks Photo of the Week Hogfish.

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Until recently, Hogfish has been known as an elusive species that only Divers and Spearfisherman caught. They are a reef species that picks at their food despite their large mouth.  While fishing for them you may catch numerous other species, including: grouper, grunt, seabass, triggerfish, mackerel and much more.  They sit on the bottom and most people report catching them hook and line with chicken rigs and shrimp as bait.  They key is right tackle … we recommend light gear and be quick on the draw to reel (not yank).

• FWC Legal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net
• Federal and State limits: 12″ TL (fed) to fork (state); 5 per person per day

Hogfish are a reef species that inhabit rocky bottoms, ledges and reefs throughout Florida’s off-shore waters. They are easily identified by their long, hog-like snout, which allows them to feed on bottom-dwelling mollusks and crustaceans.  Hogfish are considered to be not just good eating … but GREAT eating fish.

Check out this video showing some nice Hogs…. https://youtu.be/G5CObHELMmA  by: Hogfish Feeding Frenzy