How to Catch Amberjack in the Southeast Atlantic
The short answer
Amberjack in the Southeast Atlantic hold on offshore bottom, nearshore reefs. They peak Mar–May and Nov. Start with vertical jig: Heavy butterfly jig dropped to the wreck and ripped up fast — reef donkeys can't stand it. Best on current fires them up over the wreck. Any — they're always spoiling for a fight.
When Amberjack bite in the Southeast Atlantic
On the wrecks year-round; seasonal harvest windows
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
around | around | peak | peak | peak | around | around | around | around | around | peak | around |
What to throw for Amberjack
Best first. The retrieve matters more than the lure, so each one says how to work it.
- Vertical jig — Heavy butterfly jig dropped to the wreck and ripped up fast — reef donkeys can't stand it.
- Live bait — Live pinfish or cigar minnow dropped near the structure for the big ones.
Where to find them
Look for offshore bottom, nearshore reefs.
AJs ('reef donkeys') pile on wrecks and deep structure and pull like a truck. A fast vertical jig on the drop gets crushed. Pace yourself — every fish is a workout.
Tide and timing
Current fires them up over the wreck
Any — they're always spoiling for a fight
Tackle
Heavy stand-up 50–80 lb · 80–130 lb leader · bring your back
Check the regulations
Size and bag limits change by state and by season, and they change more often than any article gets updated. Check your state agency before you keep anything.
Sounder links the right state agency for wherever you drop a pin, and flags a fish that’s out of slot as you log it.