Species guide · Georgia

Greater amberjack fishing in Georgia

Seriola dumerili, an offshore species also called AJ, amberjack and reef donkey. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM at 59, one of 2 Georgia bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Georgia waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Shoulder season, about 3 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, South Atlantic region

Wrecks, towers and Gulf Stream ledges from Northeast Florida to Cape Hatteras. Regulatory: South Atlantic closes commercial harvest in April; check SAFMC for recreational rules.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 2

Georgia bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's greater amberjack score this hour.

59Good

Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM

Best window today 9-11 PM (59) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (65) · 44 named spots

58Good

Coastal waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 nm, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Best window today 9-10 PM (58) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (64) · 26 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

GADNR CRD saltwater regulations Buy a Georgia fishing license License types

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division. Synced with GADNR CRD Nov 4, 2026.

No reviewed greater amberjack rule for Georgia is on file yet. Check with GADNR CRD before you keep one.