Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Greater amberjack is a powerful, fast-growing jack found around offshore structure in warm and temperate seas worldwide. It is a hard-fighting game fish that often hunts midwater baitfish and squid near reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs.
Identification points
- Deep, laterally compressed amberjack body with a sloping forehead
- Dark diagonal stripe running from the snout through the eye toward the dorsal area
- Distinct white or pale stripe from jaw to the front of the first dorsal fin
Habitat
Offshore reefs, wrecks, oil rigs, seamounts, and steep drop-offs in warm to temperate saltwater; commonly holds high in the water column above structure.
Bait notes
Live bait is best: menhaden, sardines, cigar minnows, blue runners, small jacks, or squid. Metal jigs, large soft-plastics, trolling plugs, and free-lined baits also work well.
Behavior
Opportunistic predator that schools by size, ambushes baitfish and squid, and makes strong initial runs before sounding toward structure. Larger fish are often solitary or in small groups.
Caution
Strong, abrasive fish with a hard fight; use sturdy gear and care handling the sharp gill plates. Large individuals may accumulate mercury, so limit consumption of bigger fish.
Fishing notes
Fish vertical jigs or drop live baits to the depth marks around wrecks and reefs, then work the water column fast. Use heavy tackle, strong leaders, and be ready to pull fish away from structure immediately.