Amberjack at a glance
- Also called
- AJ, reef donkey
- Where
- Wrecks, artificial reefs, ledges, and towers, often suspended above the bottom
- How
- Live bait (blue runners, menhaden), heavy vertical jigs
- SC record
- 129 lb, Murrells Inlet, 2024 (J. Carroll, Myrtle Beach) (SCDNR)
- Limits
- Fork-length minimum and a spawning-season closure in federal waters; check SAFMC
The record
SCDNR's saltwater records list a 129-pound greater amberjack caught out of Murrells Inlet in 2024 by J. Carroll of Myrtle Beach, the current South Carolina record and one of the newest records from the Grand Strand. See Grand Strand state records.
Where they live
Amberjack gather around high-relief structure: wrecks, artificial reefs, ledges, and offshore towers. They often hold in the water column above the structure rather than on the bottom, and big schools can show up as a cloud on the sonar.
How they are caught
- Live bait. A lively blue runner, menhaden, or other baitfish dropped to the structure on heavy tackle.
- Jigs. Heavy vertical jigs worked fast through the school.
- Tackle. Heavy rods and reels with 50 to 80 lb line or more. The fight is a tug of war straight down; amberjack try to wrap the line on the wreck.
Rules
Greater amberjack are in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. Federal rules include a fork-length minimum size, a bag limit, and a seasonal closure during spring spawning. Descending devices and circle-hook rules apply on snapper-grouper trips. Check the SAFMC regulations before you keep one.
Booking
Book a full-day bottom or wreck trip; many captains add an amberjack stop to mixed offshore days. See bottom fishing.
Who you will deal with
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405
More offices, with notes, are on the local resources page.
Find local help
Listings come from public records or from the business itself. A listing is not a recommendation.
Common questions
Are amberjack good to eat?
Smaller amberjack are good eating when bled and iced. Very large fish are more often released. Amberjack can carry parasites in the tail meat; trim and cook thoroughly.
When is amberjack season?
Greater amberjack have been closed in federal waters during a spring spawning period, with a size limit and bag limit the rest of the year. Rules change; check SAFMC before your trip.
Related guides
More offshore and gulf stream fish
Sources
Official sources checked on October 29, 2026.