Species guide · Texas
Greater amberjack fishing in Texas
Seriola dumerili, an offshore species also called AJ, amberjack and reef donkey. Listed for the Western Gulf region. Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Copano, Aransas, and Redfish Bays at 60, one of 9 Texas 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.
Western 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, Western Gulf region
Strongly tied to oil and gas platforms off Louisiana (GSMFC). Fish thin out in the northern Gulf when water falls below about 64-68 F in fall and winter; spawning May-July. Regulatory: the Gulf recreational season is short and set yearly (Sept 1-Oct 13 in 2026 after the 2025 early closure).
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 9
Texas bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's greater amberjack score this hour.
Best window today 3-8 PM (61) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 6 PM (61) · 61 named spots
Best window today 3-8 PM (58) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 6 PM (60) · 37 named spots
Best window today 3-9 PM (56) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 6 PM (58) · 97 named spots
Best window today 3-11 PM (58) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (58) · 54 named spots
Best window today 3 PM-12 AM (54) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (56) · 51 named spots
Best window today 4 PM-12 AM (54) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (58) · 8 named spots
Best window today 4-9 PM (51) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (52) · 14 named spots
Best window today 5-10 PM (53) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (55) · 2 named spots
Best window today 5-10 PM (50) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 9 AM (52) · 5 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
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Sep 18, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
1 per day · Minimum 34 in, fork length
Season: Sep 1 to Oct 13, 2026
Changes to closed on Oct 14, 2026
Captain and crew of a charter boat or headboat may keep none. The season closes at 12:01 a.m. on October 14, 2026.
NOAA Fishery Bulletin FB26-029, Gulf greater amberjack recreational season length · verified Sep 13, 2026
1 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 38 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
Have a descending device or venting tool ready for reef fish showing signs of barotrauma. TPWD lists no season for state waters. Federal-waters rules, including the federal season, are separate. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.
TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Amberjack Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026