Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is a fast, powerful pelagic jack found around reefs, wrecks, and offshore structure in warm and temperate seas. It feeds aggressively on fish and squid, and is prized by anglers for hard, sustained runs.
Identification points
- Deep, laterally compressed jack body with a strongly forked tail
- Amber to yellowish stripe running from snout through the eye to the dorsal fin
- Dark diagonal band from the snout/eye area through the pectoral region to midbody
Habitat
Offshore reefs, wrecks, oil rigs, pinnacles, drop-offs, and current edges in warm temperate to tropical marine waters; often cruises midwater near structure and bait schools.
Bait notes
Best on live baits such as cigar minnows, blue runners, pinfish, sardines, mullet, and squid strips; also takes vertical jigs, knife jigs, and large swimbaits.
Behavior
A strong schooling predator that ambushes baitfish and squid, often suspending off bottom over structure. It is highly active in current, responds to live-bait presentations, and makes long first runs when hooked.
Caution
Can be high in mercury, especially larger fish; follow local consumption advisories. Handle with care around heavy tackle and structure, and check local regulations because size or bag limits may apply.
Fishing notes
Fish around wrecks, reefs, and rigs with heavy tackle, fluorocarbon leader, and enough drag to stop reefing. Slow-troll or drift live baits; jig vertically through the water column when fish mark on sonar.