Amberjack Fishing

Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) are the largest members of the jack family and are renowned for their incredible fighting ability. These muscular, deep-bodied fish can exceed 100 pounds and inhabit reefs, wrecks, and oil platforms from about 60 to 240 feet deep throughout the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. Their amber-brown lateral stripe and aggressive demeanor make them unmistakable.

Amberjack have earned the nickname 'reef donkey' for good reason -- they are arguably the hardest-fighting reef fish in the ocean. When hooked, an amberjack immediately heads for the bottom and tries to reach structure, using its broad body and powerful tail to leverage against the angler. Fights with large amberjack on appropriate tackle are genuinely exhausting, and it is not uncommon for anglers to need a break between fish. Many experienced offshore anglers rank amberjack as the toughest fight on the reef.

Targeting amberjack is often as simple as dropping a live bait or vertical jig to structure in 100 to 200 feet of water. They are aggressive feeders that respond well to fast-moving presentations. Amberjack are often found in groups, so multiple hookups are common. While their reputation as table fare has been mixed (larger fish can have parasites), smaller amberjack in the 20-40 pound range provide excellent sashimi and grilled steaks.