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Florida East Coast Spearfishing Let's talk here about spearing on Florida's Atlantic coast. Reports and other issues about this region belong here. |
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11-26-2017, 07:41 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Miami
Age: 30
Posts: 83
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Hogfish Population Report
Hey y'all!
So I went diving yesterday off Miami to my usual spots. Usually, I would be able to take home about 1-3 hogs sizes 12" to 14" tops. However, today was the first time I went since the Hogfish season closed in August and WOW have they bounced back. I must have seen at least 100 hogs in a couple hours. These are my estimations based off of memory and perception (not an actual scientific study) (I normally have a good eye for fish measurements in the water): In 6 hours of diving at depths of 20-50ft I saw well over 100 hogs here is the size distribution: Less than 12": over 60 12"-13": ~20 of them 13"-14": ~10 14"-15": ~10 15"-16": ~5 16"+: 2-3 The season regulation is working wonders for Hogfish populations! Keep it up guys!
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"Give man a fish, he eats for a day; give man a speargun, he eats for a lifetime." -Mahatma Ghandi |
11-26-2017, 08:52 PM | #2 |
The Ocean is Calling
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 349
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
I read this twice trying to decipher whether or not you were making this post sarcasticly. The new hog regulations are less than a month into it for recreational spearos. While i do think that with time the new regulations will help increase the number of hogs, there are likely other factors contributing to the increase in hogs being seen. I am sure the florida fish and wildlife and NOAA would love to take credit already.
Either way it makes me happy to see increased number of hogs around. I have seen some great hogs the last few dives. |
11-26-2017, 10:25 PM | #3 |
Seafood Sifu
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Jax Fla
Age: 60
Posts: 3,808
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
The size distrubution mentioned do not reflect a healthy population of hogfish.
Nor do they represent historical distributions of even 20 years ago. That being said,I'm glad to hear people are seeing them.
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11-26-2017, 10:33 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Miami
Age: 30
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
This was not sarcastic. This was a ROUGH estimate from the top of my head because every time I dove a spot I wouldget back on the boat and say "I saw about 10 hogs at this spot" I dove in over 10 spots so thats why I said these numbers. Another possibility is that some hogs I saw more than once when exploring the same reef. (The hog just swam around past me twice or something)
The point of this post was not of research or scientific study, the point is that there are most hogs out right now in the spots I've been going to for years. I think its attributed to the new regulations. I could have speared over 10 of them if I wanted to but instead it made me happy to see so many of them swimming free so instead I pet a couple of them lol (legit they let me get so close I just pet them) (I was kidding about spearing them, I respect the regulations) I am sure, I am not the only one seeing these crazy high numbers or am I? Did I just have a lucky day?
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"Give man a fish, he eats for a day; give man a speargun, he eats for a lifetime." -Mahatma Ghandi |
11-27-2017, 07:20 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Key largo
Age: 34
Posts: 196
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
just curious what marina you leave from? I actually go to Miami from the keys to get my hogfish. There are a few patches close to shore stacked with big hogs/reds in less then 25ft
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11-27-2017, 11:55 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Miami
Age: 30
Posts: 83
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
I go off of Black Point Marina
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"Give man a fish, he eats for a day; give man a speargun, he eats for a lifetime." -Mahatma Ghandi |
11-27-2017, 07:46 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Boca Raton
Posts: 15
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
I was also diving off of Boca Raton in depths from 30-60 feet on Friday and saw tons of hogs. Mostly very juvenile fish and most (~60) were about 4-6" in length. Don't know if something brought them in or if there was just a large spawning around the area.
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11-27-2017, 07:49 PM | #8 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Miami
Age: 30
Posts: 83
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
Quote:
I am used to seeing hogs but not no where near 100 per day. Usually around ~30 with about 2-4 being of legal size.
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"Give man a fish, he eats for a day; give man a speargun, he eats for a lifetime." -Mahatma Ghandi |
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12-01-2017, 08:03 AM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Miami, FL.
Posts: 121
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
Anyone think this will affect say grouper populations or other fish that may feed on the hogs? Just a thought
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12-07-2017, 07:08 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Lower keys
Posts: 22
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
I’ve been seeing good numbers on my kayak dives off of Key West
Lately, I saw eight or nine that were 16 inch plus. A lot of people are bitching, but in a few years you’re going to see some giantsAttachment 1 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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12-07-2017, 07:09 PM | #11 |
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Location: Lower keys
Posts: 22
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Re: Hogfish Population Report
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