Species guide · Alabama
Greater amberjack fishing in Alabama
Seriola dumerili, an offshore species also called AJ, amberjack and reef donkey. Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Mississippi Sound at 58, one of 4 Alabama bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Eastern Gulf
Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Peak season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Apr to Jun. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Nov.
Research notes, Eastern Gulf region
Wrecks, artificial reefs and ledges off the Panhandle and west Florida in 60-240 ft. Same seasonal pattern and Gulf rules as the western Gulf.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
Alabama bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's greater amberjack score this hour.
Best window today 7-9 PM (60) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (60) · 53 named spots
Best window today 7-9 PM (59) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 8 AM (60) · 21 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-4 PM (56) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 8 AM (56) · 33 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-3 PM (54) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (55) · 20 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 64°F to 86°F, best between 68°F and 80°F.
- Water depth
- 50 to 300 ft of water.
- Structure
- Wreck, reef, pinnacle, ledge and bank, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with moderate current.Tide stage matters less than current offshore. Current running across a wreck or rig tends to hold fish on the up-current side, and dead-slack water often slows the bite.
- Light
- Little tied to dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Amberjack school around wrecks, oil rigs, towers and high-relief reefs in 60 to 250 feet, often suspended well above the bottom. Drop a live blue runner or work a heavy jig through the school, then pump hard, because a big AJ runs straight back into the structure. Heavy conventional gear with 50 to 80 pound line is standard.
- Methods
- vertical jigging, live bait fishing, speed jigging, bottom fishing
- Lures
- speed jigs, butterfly jigs, large bucktail jigs, diamond jigs, topwater poppers
- Bait
- live blue runners, live cigar minnows, hardtails, live pinfish, bonito strips
Regulations
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division. Synced with ADCNR Marine Resources Sep 18, 2026.
No reviewed greater amberjack rule for Alabama is on file yet. Check with ADCNR Marine Resources before you keep one.