Amberjacks hold tight to deep offshore wrecks and structure 80-200 feet down. The artificial reefs and natural ledges 15-30 miles off the 904 coast all hold them. They school vertically over structure — when you hook one, others are usually directly underneath.
Football-shaped silver-yellow body, distinctive dark diagonal stripe from eye to first dorsal. Florida Atlantic minimum 34 inches fork length, daily bag of 1, closed seasons in some years (always check FWC). Average 20-50 lb; 80+ lb 'donkeys' are caught annually.
Year-round catchable but spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are peak when water temps are right. Summer they're deeper and harder. Winter slows but they're still there. Closed seasons in federal Atlantic water shift annually — check before targeting to keep.
Heavy tackle — 80 lb braid, 100 lb leader, 8/0 circle hook, live blue runner or live bonito free-lined down to the structure. Or vertical-jig a heavy butterfly jig over marked fish. When you hook up, lift hard and fast — give them an inch of slack and they'll wrap you in the structure. AJs are aptly nicknamed 'freight trains' for a reason.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.