Amberjack

Amberjack Fishing in Florida

Greater amberjack are an offshore species associated with rocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet of water, and FWC calls them extremely strong fighters with great endurance. The Gulf and Atlantic have different size limits and seasons.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 142.13 lb Islamorada · February 3, 1979 · W. A. Colbert, Jr.

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 60 inches and 176 pounds. Common around 40 inches
Where it livesRocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet
What it eatsSquid, fish and crustaceans

The Florida record is 142 pounds, caught near Islamorada.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • The coasts differ on size and season but share a 1-per-person bag limit: 34 inches fork length and a 43-day season (September 1 to October 13, 2026) in the Gulf; 28 inches fork length and a season of January through March and May through December in the Atlantic.
  • During the federal closure, a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish may not possess greater amberjack, even in Gulf state waters.
  • From April 1 to 30, anyone aboard a vessel issued a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper may not fish for, harvest or possess greater amberjack, in state or federal waters.
  • What 'closed' means depends on the rule: in Gulf federal waters the bag and possession limits drop to zero, while in South Atlantic federal waters from April 1 to 30 no person may fish for, harvest or possess greater amberjack.
  • Ask whether the boat holds a federal permit: for greater amberjack, and for red snapper in the South Atlantic, federal closures apply to permitted vessels even in state waters.

Gulf: when you can keep one

Gulf state and federal waters.

  • All anglersOpen September 1 to October 13, 2026FWC matched Gulf state waters to the federal season.
  • All anglersClosed in Gulf federal waters from October 14, 2026 until the next season begins September 1, 2027.NOAA Fisheries.
  • Charter with a federal Gulf reef fish permitHarvest closed season applies in state waters tooNOAA Fisheries.
34 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. No vessel limit is listed.

Atlantic: when you can keep one

Atlantic state and federal waters. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.

  • All anglersOpen January to March and May to December. Closed April.FWC. NOAA lists the April closure as April 1 to 30.
  • Boats with a federal snapper-grouper permitThe April closure applies in state waters tooNOAA Fisheries.
28 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. No vessel limit is listed.

Lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish: when you can keep one

State waters, both coasts.

  • All anglersFWC lists no season datesFWC gives size, bag and gear for these two but no open or closed dates.
14 to 22 inches fork lengthSize limit
5 per personDaily limit. That five is an aggregate of the two species.

Gear rules

Reef fish gear rules apply. With natural bait, Gulf anglers need non-stainless steel circle hooks (non-offset in state waters); Atlantic anglers need non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks north of 28° N and non-stainless steel hooks south of it. A dehooking device is required, plus a descending device or venting tool (a descending device in Atlantic federal waters). Legal gear is spears, gigs, hook and line, seine and cast net.

Questions about amberjack

Is amberjack open right now?

In the Gulf, the 2026 season is September 1 to October 13, and NOAA says Gulf federal waters are then closed until September 1, 2027. In the Atlantic, the season is January through March and May through December, closed in April; NOAA notes additional closures may occur in-season.

Why is the Gulf size limit bigger?

FWC sets a 34-inch fork length minimum in Gulf state and federal waters and 28 inches in Atlantic state and federal waters, with one fish per person on both coasts. (Reframe the question; the sources give no reason for the difference.)

Can a charter fish the state season when federal waters are closed?

A vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish may not possess greater amberjack in Gulf state waters while federal waters are closed.

What about lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish?

Separate rules: 14 to 22 inches fork length, five per person for the two species combined.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, amberjack regulations and FWC, reef fish gear rules and NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Gulf greater amberjack season and NOAA Fisheries, South Atlantic seasonal closures and FWC, greater amberjack profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.