Greater amberjack in Florida
Meet the species
Scientific name
Seriola dumerili
Overview
Offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet of water. Sometimes caught nearshore in south Florida. Juveniles associate with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.
Typical size
Up to 60 inches (176 pounds); common around 40 inches and under 40 pounds similar species: other jack species fishing tips: anglers typically use 50 to 100 pound tackle, but lighter tackle can also be used in many situations.
Typical weight (lb)
176.0
At a glance
- Regions
- Panhandle, inland south, central east
- Water
- Saltwater
- Bait
- Live pinfish, blue runners, grunts & mullet
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 142 lb 2 oz
- Location
- Islamorada
- Date
- Feb 3, 1979
- Angler
- W. A. Colbert, jr.
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
142.13 lb; by W. A. Colbert, jr.; on 02/03/1979; at islamorada
When to fish
Good months
January–december
Season notes
Months mentioned in profile narrative (not a fishing calendar): may closed/REGS: FWC greater amberjack: gulf closed april (open jan–mar and may–dec per regs page). Atlantic season windows vary — verify. Best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak months blank because FWC Where-to-Fish year-round mentions dominate, good months all. Peak ∅ good jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov & dec.
Where to fish
Florida regions
Panhandle, inland south & central east
Water
Saltwater
Habitat
Offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet of water. Sometimes caught nearshore in south Florida. Juveniles associate with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.
How to catch
Slip-sinker live bait to mid-column, vertical jig wrecks & live-chum and pitch poppers/flies
Bait
Live pinfish, blue runners, grunts & mullet
Lures
Diamond and butterfly speed jigs, bucktails & surface poppers when fish are up
Videos
- Giant amberjack catch, clean & cook! South Florida fishing · Open original
- This giant amberjack nearly wrecked us! · Open original
- Florida keys catch & cook! · Open original
- Defeated a record breaking giant! Catch clean cook- amberjack · Open original
- These fish are impossible to catch!! · Open original
- It’s incredible to realize how little we actually know about what lie... · Open original
- We’re introducing GPT‑6 astra, the world’s most intelligent and align... · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (3 pages)
- Catchafloridamemory.com
- Floridasportsman.com (4 pages)
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.