Saltwater · Year-round in Florida waters; best from April to September
Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus
Despite the common alias 'hog snapper', the hogfish is a wrasse, not a snapper — say so plainly. Its long pig-like snout roots shellfish out of sand and rubble. Prized on the table and wary on hook and line, it is most famously taken by spearfishing in Florida and the Keys.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Long pig-like snout with a protrusible mouth — unique among local reef fish
- First three or four dorsal spines are elongated with trailing filaments
- It is a wrasse, not a snapper, despite the alias 'hog snapper'
- Large males ('hogs') show a dark blotch behind the pectoral fin and a dark forehead band
- Juveniles and females are mottled reddish-brown; big males turn darker gray-brown
Habits
- Roots in sand and rubble with its snout for crabs, shrimp, clams and sea urchins
- All fish start life female and dominant individuals transform into males
- Lives singly or in small groups over patch reefs and hard bottom
- Very wary of hook-and-line baits; a classic freediving and spearfishing target
- Feeds by day and shelters in the reef at night
Distribution
Where to find them
- Patch reefs of the Florida Keys
- Hard bottom off Florida's Gulf coast
- Atlantic patch reefs off southeast Florida
Where they live
How to catch them
Light bottom rigs over patch reefs Boat
Rig: Light spinning outfit and a small knocker rig or jig head with shrimp or crab, fished quietly over patch reefs and hard bottom
Bait/lure: Shrimp, crab pieces
Key tip: Scale down and keep still — hogfish inspect baits closely and spook easily from heavy tackle and boat noise.
Freediving and spearfishing (the classic take) Boat
Rig: Freediving with a speargun or pole spear over patch reefs; hogfish allow a closer approach than most reef fish
Bait/lure: None — spearfishing
Key tip: Spearfishing rules, seasons and size limits vary by state and area — check the current rules before diving, and take only legal fish.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light to medium 7 ft spinning rod
- Line: 12-20 lb mono or light braid with fluorocarbon leader
- Terminal: Small knocker rigs, jig heads, 1/0-3/0 hooks
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 2-5 lb (0.9-2.3 kg); large males 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg)
On the table
Excellent — one of the finest-eating reef fish, with delicate sweet white flesh.
Similar species
Red SnapperRed snapper is a true snapper — red, deep-bodied, with a short blunt head and no snout; hogfish is a wrasse with a long pig-like snout and elongated front dorsal spines
Gray SnapperGray snapper is a true snapper with a pointed but short head and a dark stripe through the eye; hogfish has a long rooting snout, filamented dorsal spines and, on big males, a dark blotch behind the pectoral finRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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