Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Aggressive offshore reef predator known as 'reef donkeys' — huge jacks that school around wrecks and structure, delivering arm-burning fights in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
Taste profile
Firm, mildly rich white meat — similar to yellowtail. Excellent when fresh; check for parasites and cook thoroughly.
How to cook it
Grilled
Thick steaks grill wonderfully with teriyaki or citrus marinades.
Blackened
Holds up beautifully to Cajun blackening in a hot cast iron skillet.
Sashimi/Poke
Fresh, high-quality AJ (hamachi kami-style) makes outstanding sashimi and poke — freeze first to neutralize parasites.
Broiled
Thick cuts broiled with miso glaze are superb.
Tips to catch one
- ✔Fish deep wrecks and reefs in 100–300 feet — AJ school aggressively around structure.
- ✔Live bait (blue runners, pinfish, hardtails) dropped down fast produces the biggest fish.
- ✔Butterfly jigs and heavy vertical jigs are exceptional on slow-pitch setups.
- ✔Use heavy 50–80 lb conventional tackle — they'll bury you in structure instantly.
- ✔Check seasons carefully — AJ has strict federal closures in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
Keep it fresh: bleed, spike & ice
🔪 Spike (Ike Jime)
Insert a spike into the brain cavity just behind and above the eye. The fish will shudder briefly then go still — this signals a clean kill that prevents stress hormones from degrading the flesh.
🩸 Bleed
After spiking, cut one or both gill arches at the gill plate junction. Hold the fish head-down in water for 2–3 minutes. Well-bled fish have whiter, cleaner-tasting fillets with a longer shelf life.
🧊 Ice
Place bled fish in an ice slurry (2 parts ice to 1 part seawater). The slurry cools 5× faster than dry ice alone. Keep the drain plug cracked and aim for core temp below 35 °F within 30 minutes.
Size & bag limits by state
| State | Size limit | Bag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ≥ 34" | 1 per day | — |
| Florida | ≥ 34" | 1 per day | Gulf: 34" FL; Atlantic: 28" FL; seasons vary |
| Louisiana | ≥ 34" | 1 per day | — |
| Mississippi | ≥ 34" | 1 per day | — |
| North Carolina | ≥ 28" | 1 per day | Atlantic stock |
| South Carolina | ≥ 28" | 1 per day | — |
| Texas | ≥ 34" | 1 per day | — |