Hogfish

Have You Signed Up for the State Reef Fish Survey Yet?

All anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel are required to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation, and renew annually.

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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.

Image Credit:Diane Rome Peebles