When can you catch amberjack in the Florida Keys?
Year round on deeper wrecks, with the Keys tourism council grading amberjack Peak from March to May. Under Atlantic rules you can keep one per person at 28 inches to the fork, except in April, when the season is closed. Key West captains fish natural baits on wreck structure.
What greater amberjack are
FWC describes greater amberjack as an offshore fish of rocky reefs, debris and wrecks, typically in 60 to 240 feet, up to 60 inches and 176 pounds but commonly around 40 inches and under 40 pounds. NOAA says they grow to six feet, live to 17 years, and spawn mainly from March to June on reefs and shipwrecks. The Florida state record, 142 pounds, was caught near Islamorada.
FWC notes they are not shy or picky: almost any lively baitfish will do. NOAA describes the flavour as sweet and mild and the South Atlantic stock as not overfished.
When amberjack run in the Keys
The Keys tourism council grades amberjack Peak in March, April and May and Good the rest of the year. Note the clash: April is the peak of the fishing and the closed month for keeping them under Atlantic rules, so April fish go back.
How Key West captains fish for amberjack
Named by Blind Squirrel, Gulfstream, Key West Fishing Deals, Laid Back, Wrecked, Conch ’N Around, Eva Marie and Florida Straits on their own websites or booking pages.
- Florida Straits Sportfishing says the deeper wrecks stack muttons, grouper, amberjack and cobia around their edges.
- Key West Fishing Deals says wrecks give a real shot at larger fish like grouper and amberjack.
- Laid Back Key West expects the occasional amberjack on wrecks during its reef-and-wreck trips.
Can you keep greater amberjack?
Gulf-side Keys waters can fall under the Gulf amberjack rule (34 inches, a short autumn season); the captain knows which applies where the boat is.
Every limit for every common Keys fish is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 28 in FL |
| Bag limit | 1 per person |
| Season | Closed in April (Atlantic rules) |
| Source | FWC: Greater amberjack |
Which trip to book for amberjack
A wreck trip of six hours or more. Private three-quarter days ran $900–$1,500 per boat in the October 2026 scan. See reef and wreck fishing.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: greater amberjack profile ; NOAA Fisheries: greater amberjack ; IGFA game fish database .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Recreational saltwater fishing regulations Current state size limits, bag limits and seasons, species by species. Link checked 6 September 2026
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Federal management for snapper, grouper and reef species on the Atlantic side. Link checked 6 September 2026
Amberjack: questions
When is amberjack season in the Florida Keys?
Under the Atlantic rules that cover most Keys waters, greater amberjack may be kept January to March and May to December, and is closed in April. The limit is one per person at 28 inches fork length.
Where do you catch amberjack in Key West?
On deeper wrecks and rocky structure, typically 60 to 240 feet per FWC. Florida Straits Sportfishing and Key West Fishing Deals both describe the deeper wrecks as where they find them.
How big do amberjack get in the Keys?
Commonly around 40 inches and under 40 pounds, per FWC, with fish up to 176 pounds possible. The Florida state record, 142 pounds, was caught near Islamorada.
Next step
Looking for fishing trips in the Florida Keys?
Fishing Trips Florida Keys is an independent guide — no boats, no bookings, nothing to sell. It exists so you can ask better questions before you hand an operator a deposit.
Fishing Trips Florida Keys takes no bookings and earns nothing from a click. You book with the operator directly.