greater-amberjack
Species Facts

Science Name: Seriola dumerili
Other Names: Amberjack
Ideal Temp: 65 to 75
World Record: 155 lbs. 12 oz, Bermuda
Environment: reef, offshore
Techniques: medium tackle
Description

The coloration of the greater amberjack is characterized by a dark stripe on the head which extends from the origin of the first dorsal gin through the eye. The back is blue or olivaceous, and the sides and belly are silvery-white. Occationally there is an amber or pinkish cast to the body. Juveniles have have five or six dark verticle bars along the sides.

Greater amberjack are found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the western Atlantic, they are distributed from Nova Scotia to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, where they concentrate around reefs, rock outcrops and wrecks. Greater amberjack that are at least 5 years of age, or 33.5 inches long, spawn from March through July. They may reach a size of 6 feet, and weigh nearly 200 pounds. Voracious predators, greater amberjacks eat mostly crab, squid and other fishes found on reefs. They are often found in small groups and are friendly to divers.

Amberjack eat a diet that is very typical of a deepwater, structure-holding fish: crabs, crustaceans, squid and small fish.

Ambers can be caught by trolling near the surface with lures, plugs, jigs, spoons or strip baits. Live bait such as mullet, grunts or other small fishes are also very effective. These fish can also be chummed into a frenzy and casted to with medium to heavy spin, cast or fly tackle. The jack strikes fast, is a hard fighter and is known for diving to the bottom.

Tips for Fishing

There are many ways to catch amberjack. The most consistent is fishing with live bait. Most small fish can be used for bait. Commonly used are croaker, spot, gray trout, and pigfish. Take a variety of species and sizes if you can. Make sure that they are legal. Sometimes amberjack can be very selective eaters. Day in and day out, medium croakers are a good choice.