Greater Amberjack

Greater Amberjack: Seriola dumerili

Florida Regulations:

Regulations	Gulf State Waters	Atlantic State Waters
Minimum Size Limit	30” Fork Length	28” Fork Length
Daily Bag Limit	1 per person

Gear Requirements:

Legal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net

Reef fish gear requirements apply

NOTE: Greater Amberjack have a closed season (June 1 – July 31) in the Gulf of Mexico. For complete information on closed recreational seasons in state waters, please visit: Gulf of Mexico Atlantic

Habitat and Fishing Tips:

Amberjack are found throughout Florida’s offshore marine environment. The species is very strongly associated with wrecks and artificial reefs in waters that exceed 60 feet in depth. Amberjack swim in schools and feed on baitfish, squid and crabs. Anglers typically use 50 to 100 pound tackle, but lighter tackle can also be used in many situations. Amberjack are not shy or picky, so you can make all the noise you want, and almost any lively baitfish will be readily accepted. Commonly used baitfish species include blue runners, pinfish, pigfish, grunts, cigar minnows and sand perch. Because amberjacks like to swim around above the reef, it’s a good idea to use just enough lead to keep the bait in the middle of the water column. When amberjack get excited, they will also come to the surface and explode on top-water plugs, jigs, spoons and diving lures. Amberjack are extremely strong fighters with great endurance. To avoid lost or broken tackle, it’s important to have the drag pre-set to match the strength of the angler and the equipment.

Florida Rule

Gulf Federal Waters Rules

Atlantic Federal Waters Rules

State Record:

142 lb, caught near Islamorada

Management Updates:

NOAA Fisheries service established a June 1 through July 31 seasonal closure for recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The intended effect of this closure is to maintain the rebuilding plan targets for the overfished greater amberjack, reduce the likelihood of exceeding the recreational quota for greater amberjack, minimize the length of in-season quota closures during peak recreational fishing months and increase social and economic benefits for Gulf recreational fishers by maximizing the number of fishing days available to the recreational sector.

The FWC ruled at the April 2011 Commission meeting to adopt a consistent closed recreational season for greater amberjack from June 1 through July 31.

For more information:

Image Credit:Diane Rome Peebles