Amberjack

State Reef Fish Survey

All anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel are required to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation.

Learn more

Florida Regulations

Greater Amberjack
Lesser Amberjack and Banded Rudderfish

Gulf

State and federal waters:

Minimum Size Limit: 34” Fork Length
Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person
Season: Open May 1-31 and Aug. 1-Oct. 31.

Atlantic

State waters:

Minimum Size Limit: 28” Fork Length
Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person
Season: Open year-round

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

In the Atlantic reef fish fishery, gear rules require dehooking tools, and as of Jan. 1, 2021, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, and non-offset circle hooks N. of 28 ° N. latitude.

Federal waters:

Minimum size limit: 28” FL
Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person

State waters regulations

Minimum Size Limits:

Atlantic and Gulf - Cannot be less than
14" or greater than 22" fork length

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

Atlantic and Gulf - 5 per person
aggregate of the two species

Atlantic federal waters closure: Almaco jack, banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack are closed to harvest in Atlantic federal waters from Nov. 17 through Dec. 31, 2021. Learn more.