The Amberjack, referred to as the ‘Reef Donkey’, may not be the most spectacular looking, but what they lack in appearance, they make up for, in sheer power and strength. So much so that in parts of Latin America like Panama, they’re known as ‘Pez Fuerte’, which when translated simply means ‘strong fish’.
There are two main species in the family, the Greater and Lesser Amberjack. The Greater Amberjack grows to a maximum size of 170lb with an average weight of around 40lb; they are traditionally associated with rocky reefs, wrecks and any form of underwater structure and are typically found in waters between 20m to 75m in depth. The Lesser Amberjacks don’t grow anywhere near as big, and a trophy fish would be around 10lb. Unlike their bigger brothers, they’re often found in deeper water between 50m to 130m in depth.
Amberjacks are an out and out predator and aren’t fussy when it comes to food, with a diet consisting of small baitfish, squid and crabs, meaning anglers targeting them can use a whole host of different methods. Speed jigs, lures or bait, fished close to the underwater structure are popular and effective. However, when Amberjack fishing, make sure you don’t get caught sleeping, as the takes are not shy and can catch you unaware. They are potent fighters with great endurance, so long, powerful fights are the norm.
Below are the top destinations in the world for Amberjack Fishing.
Bluewater Fishing Panama offers travelling anglers the chance to enjoy a fantastic week of mixed fishing for an array of hard-fighting species. Fishing the rich waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí, an area responsible for over 50 IGFA World Records, you'll wet a line in some of the most famous fishing marks on the planet.
Covering an area of over 320 square kilometres, the Ebro Delta is one of the most extensive and exciting wetlands in the western Mediterranean. Home to a bounty of different species, including Tuna, Bonito, Bluefish, Palometón, Bass, Llampuga, Mackerel and Amberjack, to name just a few.
The Maldives is one of the top five names that appear on anglers' bucket lists worldwide. Home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics, it offers travelling rods the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest bluewater popper and jig fishing found anywhere on the planet.
Guinea Bissau is a lure and popper anglers paradise. The fishing grounds around the lodge are phenomenal and offer travelling anglers the chance to fish for all manner of different species, on a number of different methods. You will benefit from the expertise of the guides, they have superb knowledge of the species and fishing.
Andaman Island fishing offers a huge variety of species and all are only a short boat ride from the mainland. Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays we have put together this remarkable fully guided fishing adventure. This exciting destination is located in the Bay of Bengal on some of the most stunning tropical islands the world has to offer.
This exciting new hosted popper and jig fishing trip is hosted by our guide Ross Johnson and will give you the opportunity to fish the rich waters off the coastline of Madagascar and Nosy Be, for a vast array of blue water species including Giant Trevally, huge Dogtooth Tuna, Grouper, King Mackerel, Amberjack, Black Marlin, and Sailfish, to mention just a few.
The Zancudo Lodge, where over 70 IGFA records have been set, is world-renowned for its lure and fly fishing inshore and offshore and its finest service. You will receive access to all the required fishing tackle from ultra-light to heavy fly fishing tackle with all poppers, lures, jigs and small flies will also be included.
Palma de Cortez resort in Mexico is the ideal big game fishing destination. Not only is the resort located next to all the prime fishing grounds but all tackle is included too. On top of this, we now offer light tackle packages on all Panga boats for bait fishing which include all hooks, weights and leaders free for you to use.
The Maldives Liveaboard trip allows travelling rods to experience some of the most exciting and explosive bluewater fishing in the world, casting poppers and jigs to some of the most remote areas of the Laamu Atoll. Situated in the rich waters of the Indian Ocean, it's home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics.
Every sport fisherman has heard of stories of how world-class the fishery is in Panama and it's no wondering when Panama is the home to so many IGFA records of all manner of species and our lodge is right in the thick of it. The Gulf of Chiriquí is a real treasure of Panama and with the likes of world-renowned areas such as Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa being the fishing grounds
The world-class resort in Costa Rica called Crocodile Bay has won so many awards on Trip Adviser that we class it as a must go for any big game angler. It is also the perfect destination to take your non-angling family, as the eco tours onsite are unbelievable and if you were to stay there for a whole month, you would never get through them.
Looking for your next extreme fishing adventure? Well, we are extremely pleased to be able to offer the very best popper and jig fishing Madagascar has to offer. Utilising our live aboard Catamaran and top of the range sport boats, you will be fishing a huge diverse range of unspoilt and un-fished areas.
El Bahia de Los Suenos, also commonly referred to as the ‘Bay of Dreams’, offers travelling rods mile upon mile of open and accessible coastline, as well as some of the richest offshore waters found anywhere in the world. Here, the Roosterfish is king, and the area is probably the number one destination for both numbers and the large average size of fish.
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Name: Amberjack
Also known as: Allied Kingfish, Sea Donkey, Reef Donkey and Yellowtail.
Scientific name: Seriola Dumerili
Amberjacks are a tough and fast game fish from the Carangidae family, found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are typically olive-green or brownish-black and distinguished by their dark stripes extending from their nose to the front of their dorsal fins. Amberjacks are the largest of the Jack family.
To learn more about the Amberjack, visit our YouTube channel.
Amberjacks are widely spread across the globe. In the Atlantic Ocean, they can be found from Massachusetts to Brazil and in the Gulf of Mexico. In the Pacific, they can be found from California to Peru. Panama especially has some big ones on the Pacific side, but as a general rule, they are found all over the tropics, and as long as an area doesn’t get too much fishing pressure, there should be some big ones. They commonly prefer to inhabit rocky reefs among debris and wrecks. Sometimes, they will rise in the water column but are generally found near the bottom, anywhere from 60ft to 250ft.
Several great destinations are available if you’re looking to catch these popular game fish. Palmas de Cortez in Mexico, Zacundo Lodge and Crocodile Bay in Costa Rica, and Florida in the United States are all popular locations. These areas are known for their abundance of fish and those of specimen sizes, providing travelling anglers with a challenging and rewarding fishing experience.
Our top five Amberjack fishing tours:
Palmas de Cortez Mexico
Zacundo Lodge Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay Costa Rica
Bluewater Fishing Panama
Popper & Jig Fishing Maldives
It’s possible to fish for and catch Amberjacks using various methods. Being predatory, they will take live and dead bait, including small fish, crabs, and squid. However, targeting them on lures, especially metal jigs, fished from the bottom and through the water column is also possible and can be a faster-paced, fun way of fishing for them.
When tackling up for them, it’s essential to use strong, robust tackle. Like all Jacks, Amberjack fights exceptionally hard for their size, and this, combined with the nature of the locations in which they get found, ensures your tackle needs to be up to the job. Strong rods and reels with smooth drags loaded with 50lb+ braid are essential. It’s worth noting they don’t have teeth, so wire traces are not necessary.
If you’re joining us on a bluewater fishing holiday and would like some tips of speed jigging, you can read our blog here: Top Tips On Speed Jigging
Amberjacks are the largest of the Jack family. They can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 160lb, with the IGFA record currently standing at a whopping 163lb 2oz (74kg) landed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. However, they generally average between 30lb and 50lb, with anything more significant considered a specimen.
