Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus
FR Labre hogfish · ES Pez puerco · PT Peixe-porco
Also known as: CapitánBoquineteBodião-de-plumaPez puercoLabre hogfishPeixe-porco
Reef/KelpBoat
Reef
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight
Depth
0–30m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–OctGood Jul–Aug
Depth range
0–30mMedium
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Vertical / shore jigging60%
Preferred seabed
RockMixed
Findr bio
Daylight sandy reef cruiser. Shrimp or small crabs — nothing complicated...
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Wreck reefShallow water
Recommended baits
PrawnsCrab
Diet
BivalvesSnailsCrabSea urchins
Effective techniques
Bottom Fishing
Gear
Best times
Day
I root through sand with an elongated, pig-like snout to dig out buried shellfish — and I can shift my color to vanish while I do it.
Field notes
Where to find them
Warm western Atlantic/Caribbean reef and structure
Where they hang out
Reef structure, moderate depth
Prime time
Year-round; daylight
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Shellfish, crab, shrimp near structure
Temperature vibe
Warm-water species
Fave weather
Calm, clear water best for spotting fish
Fun fact about me
Colour-shifter of the reef — sand-pale one minute, reef-red the next.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Open season May 1–Oct 31 in Atlantic/Florida Keys waters — check FWC/NOAA rules for current dates and bag limitsState/national fisheries agency
Looking after them
Vulnerable