Greater Amberjack
Species Information
Scientific Name: | Seriola dumerili |
Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
Ideal Temp: | 65-75°F (18-23°C) |
Technique: | Bottom Fishing, Casting, Chunking, Jigging |
Lure Type: | Bottom Rig, Jigs, Plugs, Spoons |
World Record: | 71.15 kg (156 lb 13 oz) Iki Island, Nagasaki, Japan |
Other Names: | amberjack, AJs, reefdonkey, reef donkey |
The greater amberjack is a jack of the genus Seriola. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian coasts. It is the largest genus in the Carangidae family. It is a fast-swimming pelagic fish with similar habits to the kingfish.
The greater amberjack often have a distinctive olive colored bar from the snout through the eye, to the beginning of the dorsal fin and a broad amber colored stripe running horizontally along the flanks. The amber stripe often causes anglers to confuse this species with the yellowtails. However, the greater amberjack can be distinguished from other related species by the gill raker count; greater amberjack over 8 inches long have only 11 16 developed gill rakers on the lower limb of the first branchial arch (the count may be higher in smaller specimens), whereas yellowtails have 21 28.
Greater amberjack are an offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris, and wrecks. They are typically in 60 - 240 feet of water and sometimes caught nearshore. Juveniles are associated with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.
The greater amberjack is a powerful hunter which feeds on other fish and invertebrates. The greater amberjack is prized by sports fisherman because it is a very powerful fish and can be quite large, even as much as 70 kg. It is an excellent eating fish. It is also a big-game fish and are one of the greatest fighting fish pound for pound.
It strikes fast, fights hard and often dives for the bottom. Fishing methods include trolling near the surface with lures, spoons, plugs, jigs or strip baits, and also live bait fishing. Many incidental catches of amberjack are made while fishing the bottom for snappers and groupers.
Latest Greater Amberjack Fishing Reports and Spots
May 5 - 5/6/2022 1:42:00 PM
#amberjack and some #yellowtail #snapper on the #fearless #fearlessfishing (
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I had Dan and his two boys today with the goal of keeping the boys busy. We started early in order to beat the weekend crowd and got on fish r (
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Big inshore action for the Explorer on April 25. Check out this sweet Amberjack. (
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Amberjack Cobia Scamp Triggerfish Red Grouper Amberines Vermilion Snapper King Mackerel Spanish Mackerel Almaco Jacks White Snapper Black Snapp (
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As expected the fishing in Ft. Lauderdale in late April has some pretty good catches. And those catches have included Kingfish Blackfin Tunas Wa (
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We are experiencing decent weather and decent fishing as well on the majority of our fishing charters in Ft. Lauderdale. Blackfin Tunas some Sai (
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The month of May has everyone itching to get outside swim go to the beach and FISH!!! Amberjack season or “reef donkeys” open up in May so it’s (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 25/03/22 Picture: Marco Fraschetti Our contributors Sedin (
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We love you guys! Happy to have Jack Elizabeth and Holly out fishing today. Red Grouper Dolphin Blackfin Tuna and Amberjack. (
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