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I was just reading about hogfish in the new issue of Florida Sportsman. Do we have hogfish in our area? How deep are they?

tallykenj wrote:I was just reading about hogfish in the new issue of Florida Sportsman. Do we have hogfish in our area? How deep are they?

Yes. I have seen them in 30' when I used to dive. Don't think they bite a hook, always got them spear fishing . Good eating.

yes ! 40 ft only fish other than yellowfin tuna I will eat ! The meat isnt white .... Its translucient ( not spelled right )
Go shoot ya some ~!

What do they actually eat? They evidently don't eat anything we use for bait. I've seen pictures of speared one's but never seen one in person or eaten one.

I've been told they eat mostly lobsters and other crustaceans

I had a friend last year catch one(by luck of course) about 81/2 miles out from Dog Island. He kept it not wanting to share ,but I have heard they are delicious.

My book says, "Common only in the eastern and southeastern Gulf of Mexico on coral reefs, rocky areas, and open hard bottom in shallow nearshore waters less than 100 feet deep. Some stragglers are found in the northern Gulf.

The fish form small loose schools of 2 or 3 up to 20 fish. It is commpnly caught with shallow or moderate-depth snapper species. It eats a variety of reef creatures including sea urchins, crabs, and even sponges, but clams and snails make up over 80 percent of its diet. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite. All of them are females after hatching, turning into males as they grow larger.

Average size 4-5 pounds but can grow to over 20 pounds and three feet in length.

Food value is excellent.

Seen more than one speared in local 20' depths. Never seen one caught on line & hook, though after reading the information may try using a freshly cleaned scallop to snag one next trip out!