Almaco Jack

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Seriola rivoliana
Environment:	Nearshore
Ideal Temp:	39-80°F (4-27°C)
Technique:	Bottom Fishing, Jigging
Lure Type:	Bottom Rig, Jigs
World Record:	59.87 kg (132 lb 0 oz) La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Other Names:	almaco

Almaco jack is a game fish of the family Carangidae; they are in the same family as yellowtail and amberjack. They feed, both day and night, on other, smaller, fish, such as baitfish and small squid. The flesh is thick and dense like tuna and can easily pass for white albacore if prepared as sushi.

The Almaco jack has a less elongated, more flattened body than most jack species. Their dorsal fin and anal fins are elongated, and their outer edges have a definite sickle shape. The first rays of the Almaco dorsal fin's longest parts are nearly twice as long as the dorsal spines, also different from other jacks.

Almaco jacks are generally dusky-colored with faint amber or olive stripes down their sides. Their upper bodies and lower fins are usually dark brown or dark blue-green. The belly is much lighter and appears brassy or lavender. The nuchal bar and most of the fins is dark on adults. Exceptions are the pelvic fins which are white on the ventral sides.

The Almaco jack is a pelagic species that can be found in small groups on slopes and off of reefs at depths from 5 to 160 metres (2.7 to 87 fathoms). They visit wrecks more often than most other jacks. In the Indian to the west Pacific oceans, Almaco jack live from Kenya to South Africa and have been spotted off Mariana Islands, Wake island, Ryukyu Islands, Kermadec Islands and New Caledonia. In the eastern Pacific, Almaco jack live from California to Peru and the Galapagos islands. In the western Atlantic, they live mostly from Cape Cod to northern Argentina although they are rare off North and South Carolina. Almaco jack are not as common in the Eastern Atlantic as elsewhere. Almaco live near Great Britain and off Lampedusa in the Mediterranean sea. They typically swim at depths ranging from 5–35 metres (16–115 ft).

Almaco jack's unusual stamina makes them a prime target for deep sea fishermen.
They remove skin-based parasites by rubbing against the rough skin of passing sharks. Almaco jack also rub against passing scuba divers because they mistake them for sharks.

Latest Almaco Jack Fishing Reports and Spots

What’s in Season October 2023 - 4/16/2017 6:39:59 PM

BlackFin Tuna Gag Grouper Triggerfish Scamp Black Snapper Vermilion Snapper Amberines Almaco Jacks White Snapper Spanish Mackerel King Mackerel (View)

What’s in Season September 2023 - 4/16/2017 6:39:59 PM

Gag Grouper Triggerfish Scamp Black Snapper Vermilion Snapper Amberines Almaco Jacks White Snapper Spanish Mackerel King Mackerel Lane Snapper (View)

August 22 All Day Wreck Fishing Trip - 8/28/2023 3:30:58 AM

Redfish Triggerfish (Gray) Seabass (Black) Jack (Almaco) Trip Summary Seabass Triggerfish Red Drum Almaco Jacks The post August 22 All Day Wrec (View)

July 24 All Day Wreck Fishing Trip - 8/11/2023 6:41:42 AM

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Triggerfish (Gray) Seabass (Black) Amberjack Trip Summary Cobia Almaco & Amberjacks Seabass Triggerfish & Dolphin The post (View)

July 26 All Day Wreck Fishing Trip - 8/15/2023 9:17:10 AM

Amberjack Jack (Almaco) Seabass (Black) Triggerfish (Gray) Trip Summary Almaco & Amberjacks Triggerfish Seabass The post July 26 All Day Wreck (View)

August 12 All Day Wreck Fishing Trip - 8/15/2023 9:56:12 AM

Jack (Almaco) Triggerfish (Gray) Seabass (Black) Trip Summary Sharks Seabass Triggerfish Almaco Jacks The post August 12 All Day Wreck Fishing (View)

August 13 All Day Wreck Fishing trip - 8/15/2023 10:00:39 AM

Amberjack Jack (Almaco) Triggerfish (Gray) Seabass (Black) Snapper (Vermilion) Trip Summary Almaco & Amberjacks Triggerfish Seabass Vermillion (View)

What’s in Season August 2023 - 4/16/2017 6:39:59 PM

Greater Amberjack Triggerfish Red Snapper Scamp Black Snapper Wahoo Vermilion Snapper Amberines Almaco Jacks White Snapper Spanish Mackerel Kin (View)

June 19 All Day Wreck/Bottom Fishing Trip - 6/22/2023 8:07:03 AM

King Mackerel (Kingfish) Seabass (Black) Triggerfish (Gray) Jack (Almaco) Amberjack Trip Summary Caught Seabass Triggerfish bottom fishing..Cau (View)

What’s in Season June 2023 - 4/16/2017 6:39:59 PM

Red Snapper Scamp Black Snapper Wahoo Vermilion Snapper Amberines Almaco Jacks White Snapper Spanish Mackerel King Mackerel Lane Snapper Black (View)