What is a Hogfish?
The hogfish is a rare and prized catch amongst anglers in the St. Pete Beach / Tampa Bay area. You can identify this fish by its long, hog-like snout. The color of these fish changes as they get older and larger. But most of the time it will be a pink orange with edges of yellow. The males will have a dark stripe that stretches across the top of their heads to the tip of their snouts. A young one will often be a lighter color with gray or pink scales on its sides.
How Big Do Hogfish Get?
Heading out for a trip on St. Pete Beach and wondering what to expect? Well, the minimum size limit is 12 inches, but if you’re in the right spot it’s not hard to bring up one that’s 17 inches! The world record for the largest hogfish is 35 pounds and the largest one ever caught in Florida came in at a record 18 pounds, 8 ounces.
Where to Catch Hogfish
When fishing for this fish on St. Pete Beach / Tampa Bay, they can be found in a variety of areas. Many can be found in areas with rocky bottoms, reefs, and ledges off-shore. In most cases, hogfish are caught by spearfishing, but with the help of the right captain, you can catch them on hook and line.
Let’s Go Catch Hogfish on St. Pete Beach!
St. Pete Beach Charters is the Official family charter of St. Pete Beach. When you book a charter with Captain Kenny, he will take the time to get to know you and your family personally. He will explain all ins and outs of fishing on St. Pete Beach. He is passionate about making sure you and your family have the best time possible and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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