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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: | 86919 documented in database. |
Earliest Record: | 1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 27.83860, -97.04419. |
Latest Record: | 6/30/2024 6:29:49 AM and located at 35.22016, -75.69362. |
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
King Mackerel (Kingfish) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Amberjack Little Tunny (False Albacore) Triggerfish (Gray) Trip Summary Started the day out catchi (
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Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Seabass (Black) Amberjack Trip Summary Off today on an all day wreck /bottom fishing trip. Caught some live bait and put th (
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Gulfstar Endurance Fishing Report #2 6/6-6/8 The trip started as normal we left the dock at 10:00 PM. Headed out the Anclote River on the way (
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The fishing this June has been above average for this time of year we are doing very well on all our trips from the 4hr all the way up to the 1 (
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Amberjack Cobia Seabass (Black) Bluefish Spanish Mackerel Trip Summary Well the cold water from all winter will not turn lose …thus fore killin (
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Amberjack Jack (Almaco) Triggerfish (Gray) Trip Summary Once again cold water whipped us out bottom fishing..caught a few Trigger fish. Had to (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 24/05/24 First rule of fishing for cobia...keep an eye out (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 03/05/24 Dhufish can live up to 41 years and take 20 years (
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Current Water Temps: Eagle Point 77.7F Galveston Causeway: 77.7F Galveston North Jetty: 76.8F San Luis Pass: 77.7F 60 Mile Buoy 76.6F May ha (
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12 Hour Fishing Report 3/5/2024 This 12 hour trip leaves the dock at 7:00. After a quick stop to pick up our bait traps we had about a 2 hour (
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