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Greater Amberjack
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Seriola dumerili |
| Common Names: | amberjack, AJs, reefdonkey, reef donkey |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | 65-75°F (18-23°C) |
About Greater Amberjack
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.
Greater Amberjack Fishing
| World Record: | 71.15 kg (156 lb 13 oz) Iki Island, Nagasaki, Japan |
| # Fish Caught: | 86936 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 27.83860, -97.04419. |
| Latest Record: | 1/14/2025 1:27:59 PM and located at 26.11339, -80.10628. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing, Casting, Chunking, Jigging |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig, Jigs, Plugs, Spoons |
| Fishing Spots: | 1841 Greater Amberjack fishing spots. |
Latest Greater Amberjack Fishing Reports and Spots
7/7-7/8 - 7/8/2025 5:45:24 PM
Body: Been quite rough for offshore boats but some are managing to sneak out! Nice catch of amberjacks and even a marlin release! Inshore boat (
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6/28 - 6/29/2025 4:20:17 PM
Body: Offshore boats are staying in the mahi! Good bites of black fins and some amberjacks! Inshore boats have continued to have good bites of (
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6/3 - 6/6 - 6/7/2025 9:28:09 AM
Body: Nice catches of dolphin for offshore boats this week! Some blackfin tuna and amberjack as well. Inshore the bluefish and Spanish mackere (
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April 2025 - 5/2/2025 10:56:42 PM
Over the past couple weeks the ocean has come alive with different options. On the long run the Mahi bite is on fire fishing temperature breaks (
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April 16 - 4/17/2025 12:23:00 PM
Some #grouper and #amberjack caught and released on the #fearless (
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March is one of the most exciting months for fishing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as the waters come alive with a vari (
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March is one of the most exciting months for fishing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as the waters come alive with a variety of spe (
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Wow! What an incredible day out on the water off the coast of Fort Lauderdale! Lady Luck seems to be sticking with us as we kick off 2025 with (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 10/01/25 It's marron mania time! The marron season officia (
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Happy Fishmas from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
My pleasure to bring you the January 2025 fishing report straight (
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