Pigfish

Season in Georgia

UF/IFAS: moves offshore when nearshore water leaves its 57 to 97 F range; Fort Pulaski is below 57 F in December to February (NCEI). NC DMF: caught mostly in late spring and fall. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Pier pilings, jetties and rough bottom.

On the bottom in schools, near structure.

What to look for

Small grunts that grunt when handled.

Bait

Shrimp, Squid, Bloodworms. Standard two-hook bottom rig, small hooks.

Leader

Light bottom rig.

Common mistakes

• Hooks too large

Landing

Swing it up.

Handling

• Dorsal spines

Smooth the dorsal fin down before gripping.

Keep or release

A favorite live bait for trout and flounder (UF/IFAS).

Recipes for pigfish

Typical: Under 9 in. Large: Up to about 15 in.

Limits

FishOS has not checked the GA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division before you keep a fish.

Sources

• UF/IFAS FA160: pigfish (temperature and salinity) (Official source)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: pigfish (Official source)
• NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide, all-stations monthly averages (Charleston Cooper River Entrance, Fort Pulaski, Gray's Reef, Fernandina Beach, Mayport, St. Augustine, Trident Pier Port Canaveral, Lake Worth Pier, Fowey Rocks, Virginia Key, Vaca Key, Key West) (Official source)
• FishBase species summary: Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) (Official source)

All the fish of Georgia