UTERGreater amberjack fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, greater amberjack peak February–April and are around year-round, spawning in February–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: Spawning aggregations on the humps and deep wrecks off Islamorada and Marathon.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Greater amberjack in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruarySpawningSpawning aggregations on the humps and deep wrecks off Islamorada and Marathon.
- MarchSpawning
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish greater amberjack near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
Oceanside flats and patch reefs inside the reef line, the reef itself, then the Gulf-side banks and basins of Florida Bay and the backcountry. Bridges and channels connect the two. The clearest, warmest water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 1,715 ledge / hard bottom, 695 artificial reef, 340 wreck spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds greater amberjack hold on.
What to use for greater amberjack
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Cigar minnowsNose-hooked on a stinger rig for kings, or a 4/0 circle hook dropped to the bottom for grouper.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 64–84°F water, best at 68–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch greater amberjack in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is February–April, with fish spawning in February–March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Greater amberjack are here year-round. February: Spawning aggregations on the humps and deep wrecks off Islamorada and Marathon.
Where do greater amberjack hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, ledge / hard bottom — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for greater amberjack in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), pinfish, cigar minnows, goggle-eyes. Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
What are the rules for greater amberjack in The Florida Keys?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about greater amberjack · The Florida Keys, the whole year