What's Biting FLFlorida Keys
Hogfish in Florida Keys
Spearfishing on reefs, or live shrimp on light bottom rigs. Seasons and sizes differ between the Keys and the Gulf.
Next seven days
| Day | Bite | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 30 | 6 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 6 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 6 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release) |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 5 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Weak tides. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release) |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 5 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Weak tides. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release) |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 6 | Light wind. Weak tides. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release) |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 6 | Light wind. Weak tides. Harvest closed in: Atlantic State Waters, Atlantic federal waters (catch and release) |
Seasonal pattern
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Editorial baseline for Florida. Green months are prime, yellow fair, red slow. Preferred water temperature 65–85°F.
Regulations that apply here
Applies to: state and adjacent federal waters · Licenses: State Reef Fish Angler designation required for anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel, renew annually
| Species / zone | Season | Size | Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hogfish Atlantic State Waters boundaryincludes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys | open now Open May 1-Oct. 31 | 16" fork length | 1 per harvester | Legal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net. Reef fish gear requirements apply. 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. Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park. |
| Hogfish Atlantic federal waters | open now Open May 1-Oct. 31 annually | 16-inch minimum size limit | 1-fish/person recreational bag limit |
- 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.
Source: FWC, extracted 2026-10-29.