AMBERJACK IN THE ATLANTIC AND THE PACIFIC

Populating both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and weighing in between 60 and 80 pounds, Amberjack are a game fish that pack a strong pull when fishing and will continue to fight a reel until they reach the deck of a boat. The record for the largest Amberjack ever caught in Florida weighed in at 142 pounds, and the world record for the largest Amberjack ever caught weighed in at 176 pounds. Although Amberjack are edible, they are considered subpar as a meal in comparison to other types of fish such as tuna, barracuda, and shark.

WHEN TO CATCH AMBERJACK

On both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts, the spring summer months are usually the most favorable time to go fishing for Amberjack. Despite this, they can be caught all year round in some areas.

WHERE TO CATCH AMBERJACK

Amberjack are found in both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean sea. In the Atlantic, they are found from Nova Scotia all the way down to Brazil in areas that include the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. In the Pacific, they are found along the coasts of China, Japan, and the Philippines. If you are located in the United States, it is wise to fish for them in either the Florida or Hawaii. The best places to look for Amberjack would be near coral reefs and ship wrecks.

HOW TO CATCH AMBERJACK

Amberjack are a notoriously difficult fish to catch due to their outstanding strength. Although it is not difficult to get them to bite onto your bait, they do not tire out as you pull them up and they will struggle with you right up until you get them onto the deck of your boat. Due to their super strength and large size, it is strongly recommended that you catch Amberjack from a fishing boat rather than from a kayak or a canoe. Making sure that you use a heavy drag (30+ lbs.) as your Amberfish will attempt to snap the line by rubbing it against sharp objects like coral on the way up, try to get them above the water as soon as possible so that your fish won’t be snatched up by sharks on the way up–which is one of the most common problems when fishing for big game.

EQUIPMENT TO CATCH AMBERJACK

Although some fishing enthusiasts prefer to use a longer rod when catching Amberjack, it is recommended that you use a shorter fishing rod as they will not bend as much and so you can pull them up onto the deck of your boat as quickly as possible. As Amberjack are a larger fish, you should use a reel that is able to lift up to 100 pounds as well as a strong-backed spinning rod. For lines, 60 pounds worth of line is essential to catching an Amberfish, and you will need a minimum of 250 feet of line to reach the depths that they swim at. It is recommended that you use 100 pounds of either clear or slightly tinted leader. In terms of the ideal hooks for catching Amberjack, you should use the strongest ones available to you, such as steel hooks. The best rig is a 3 way swivel rig. For bait, Amberjacks are not picky eaters and will essentially devour any live bait, although common bait used for catching Amberjack include cigar minnows, blue runners, grunts, pigfish, sand perch, and pinfish.

More about Amberjack

Amberjack are a saltwater game fish often found in warmer climates. There Scientific name is Seriola dumerili. They are often fished for sport because they are difficult to catch and put up a fight.

  • Scientific name: Seriola dumerili
  • Higher classification: Amberjack
  • Lifespan: 17 years
  • Rank: Species

Are amberjack good fish to eat?

Although they are not the first to come to mind when finishing amberjack are still consider good to eat. They have a rich buttery flavor and are often said to be a mux between tuna and mahi-mahi.

Is Amberjack Tuna?

Although sometimes called amberjack tuna Amberjack is not a type of tuna.

Is Amberjack the same as yellowtail?

Yes Yellowtail is a type of Amberjack often found in the pacific near California.

What is another name for Amberjack?

Amberjack is a term that refers to a few different kinds of fish. Most commonly amberjack refers to the Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). However it can also refer to lesser amberjack, Almaco jack and ,yellowtail.