What is a Pigfish?

Pigfish are members of the grunt family of fish and live predominantly in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the southern United States. They are plentiful in number and possess a colorful appearance. There are several types of fish that fall under the name pigfish; these include the golden-spot hogfish, the red pigfish, and the redmouth grunt.

All pigfish belong to the Congiopodidae class, a group of ray-finned fish that thrive in shallow, mild waters. Though they are edible to humans, pigfish are primarily utilized as bait. Most larger fish will readily consume pigfish when used as live bait — the sea trout is particularly fond of them.

The upper portion of the pigfish has a bluish tint, while the lower section is silver. They sport uneven stripes across the head and snout. Their scales are also colorful, with blue midpoints and orange or reddish-brown shades around the outer edges. They can grow to be nearly a foot (.3 meters) in length and generally weigh a pound (.45 kilograms) or less. Pigfish are commonly mistaken for pinfish.

Adult pigfish typically spawn during the spring in large bodies of water. As the young fish mature, both the adults and their offspring retreat to more shallow waters closer to land. They are especially drawn to areas with gently sloping floors, and they tend to prefer environments with grassy regions or sandbars.

Pigfish are attracted to several different types of bait. Bloodworms, clams, crabs, and squid are a few of their favorites. They also prefer shrimp, most notably when it is peeled and used by anglers fishing from docks, piers, or bridges.

When pigfish are caught, they emit a grunting or snorting noise, which is likely the source of their name. Pigfish possess teeth in their throats, and by grinding these together, a grunting sound is produced. Though this cry is a natural reflex on the part of the pigfish, it is also an inadvertent message to other fish in the area that a pigfish is nearby. Given their role as an excellent source of bait, this doesn't bode well for the pigfish but is ideal for fishermen looking to make a good catch.

Pigfish are most predominant along the Atlantic coast, from Florida as far north as New York. The waters off North and South Carolina are favorite spots for the pigfish. They are also abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly near the Texas coast.