AJ's, Top or Bottom?

[Tarpon4me]

[cool]Amberjacks are plentiful up and down the eastern seaboard, however, the tactics change like the weather from one state to the next. I was curious what the hot tactic for AJ's are down there in the sunshine state.

Here, it really varies. Some Captains like to verticle jig for them over structure, while other prefer a live bait near or on the bottom. It seems like they prefer 70 to 100' of water here, and prefer wrecks as apposed to rocks or ledges. Does this trend hold true down in Florida?

I never was a big fan of jigging, but I'm going to do a little more of it this season. I added Gamakatsu jig stingers to all my jigs.

I like medium heavy tackle, something around 50 pound class, and maybe 80 lb class depending on water conditions.(I.E. Depth, current, structure, bait, etc....) I use a very similar rig that I would use for Grouper, a large lead on a slip rig with about a 6 to 8 foot leader. I like a circle hook, and the size depends on the bait of course. I prefer live cigar minnows, but anything alive seems to work just fine.

I've actually caught Aj's in very shallow water trolling, drifters I suppose. I'm talking water as shallow as 15 feet deep just off the coast. It's always fun getting an Aj on King gear. They give 20 lb stand up gear hell, especially if it's a good sized one.

We also get alot of Crevalle Jacks here, but that fish has proven to be illusive to me. I know they are a schooling fish, accept perhaps the larger bulls. I know thier game quality is awesome, as they are pound for pound as stout as any fish in the ocean. Any tactics on those guys that anyone would like to share?
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[CaptJoeVerdino]

This is my favorite target species so I'll go first.

Greater Amberjack [black]Seriola dumerili[/black] Florida Record 142 lbs. 0 oz. All Tackle World Record 155 lbs. 12 oz.

[black]Range:[/black] In my area the average fish are from 20-70 pounds and are almost always found near large structure like wrecks or ledges/holes. Most fish are targeted in 100-200 ft of water a few can be found in shallower areas. The fish in 100ft tend to move to deeper waters in the summer months, where the 180-200 ft depths seem to hold fish year round.

[black]Bait Tackle: [/black][black]I prefer to use 50lb mono main line tied to a swivel with a 3-4 oz. egg sinker on the mainline side of the swivel. 4-5 ft of 50-80lb flourocarbon or mono leader will do well. The hooks are either 7/0 Khale or circle hooks any brand will work. The #1 bait is usally whatever kind of snapper are living in the same area. Sometimes it's Vermillions (beeliners) other times Yellowtail. When using snapper you must use a legal sized fish and also subtract that fish from your daily bag limit. The next best thing is a bluerunner, or large pinfish. I like to hook the fish under the chin so the hook and weight point the fish down as it swims off.[/black] I usually stop the bait at about 3/4 of the way down so it is past the cudas but not as deep as the goliath grouper. Usually wait about 30 seconds for a strike.

If I want to torture one of my friends I let them use 20lb spinning gear. When matched up to a 50 lb AJ it's about an hour fight.[sly]

Jiging these fish also works well using 6-8 oz. bucktails or large butterfly jigs. I drop them to the bottom and then yank and crank them back up. Never get past 3-5 drops before a strike.

Now for something I am very serious about [black]NEVER SMOKE AN AMBERJACK!!!!!!!![/black]

[black]No matter what the redneck locals say don't do it. It can be fried, broiled, baked, grilled, but never smoke it. Amberjack is firm like tuna, very flaky and has no fishy taste. To prep it properly fillet the fish, then cut out the red blood line, trim away any remaining red meat, and it is better than grouper.[/black]

All this works well for the Jack Crevalle too, except don't eat them.








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[Tarpon4me]

I noticed you only use a 3 to 4oz sinker, you don't have issues with that light of weight, especially using a Mono main? For one, if i'm in deep water, i'm all about some braid. It seems to slice right through the current. I also feel more confident about my hook sets with braid rather than with mono; atleast when fishing on the bottom when the water is so deep. I use sometimes up to 8 to 10 oz leads, just to get the bait down where I want it. Sometimes it takes that much just to get it down period.

B-liners seem to be the prefered bait for just about anything offshore. LOL Those things rock. I always put one out on a float when ever i'm stationary. Something always grabs them.

So you eat Amberjack eh? LOL, never heard of that. I always set them loose after a photo, or use them for bait for "grey fin" tuna. [] I went to fillet one once and there was worms in that sucker. Every since then, no could do the Aj's. [cool]

Sounds like we pretty much do the same thing though, just a little variation. But different things work in different places. Thanks for sharing!

Bryan D.
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[CaptJoeVerdino]

Yeah I eat the AJ's but you are right they do get worms. If they have them they are always in the tail section so I just cut that off. For the most part the fish over 50 pounds might get them and most times it is in the summer. I guess the warm water makes the worms active.
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[Tarpon4me]

Man, you're right on. That is exactly where the worms were, in the tail. From the middle up on the fillet, it was perfectly clean. But, seeing the worms in the tail was enough for me. [] LOL, I just couldn't do it. I guess I know there are just too many good eatting fish that don't carry worms to worry with an AJ.

But that's like puffer fish. I absolutely LOVE the sweet flavor of a puffer fish. But if you don't clean them properly, they can make you sick or even be fatal. An old man on the pier I use to fish taught me how to clean them years ago with a fillet knife and a fork. Sound weird? LOL, it's actually very simple. I won't however share the technique on the open board for safety, but if you're curious, just PM me.
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[CaptJoeVerdino]

I learned how to do it a long time ago. Looks like a drumstick when its done correct. Yummy!!!

For all those Billys out ther just like skinnin a squirrel. LOL
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[Tarpon4me]

LOL, you're all over it. [cool] It looks just like a drumstick. []
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