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Amberjack

State Reef Fish Survey

The State Reef Fish Survey replaced the Gulf Reef Fish Survey on July 1, 2020. 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. Those with a Gulf Reef Fish Angler designation will meet the statewide requirement until the Gulf designation expires, even if you are fishing on the Atlantic coast.

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Greater Amberjack

Florida Regulations

Greater Amberjack

Gulf

State and waters:

  • Minimum Size Limit: 34” Fork Length
  • Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person
  • Season: Open May 1-31 and Aug. 1-Oct. 31.

 

 

Atlantic

State waters:

  • Minimum Size Limit: 28” Fork Length
  • Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person
  • Season: Open year-round

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

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.

Federal waters:

  • Minimum size limit: 28” FL
  • Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person 

State waters regulations

Minimum Size Limits:

  • Atlantic and Gulf - Cannot be less than
    14" or greater than 22" fork length

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • Atlantic and Gulf - 5 per person
    aggregate of the two species

Lesser Amberjack

lesser amberjack

Banded Rudderfish

banded rudderfish

Have you signed up for the State Reef Fish Survey yet?

Participation mandatory.

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

Reef fish gear requirements apply  

Almaco jack is an "unregulated species" with a default bag limit of two fish or 100 pounds per person, per day - whichever is more.

 

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