Gulf Coast - Amberjack

I am new to offshore fishing and have only been out a handful of times so far... I have heard that amberjack are easy to find and catch but have'nt had anyluck with neither. I have been leaving out of Orange Beach, AL.. Anyone got any advice on where to go or what to use.. I have tried jigging and pogies with no luck. I see post on here all the time where people caught there limit on AJ. Any info would be great...

Leaving from O.B. First, stop at a big public wreck on the way out and try and catch 10 or so ruby lips, small grunts, or anything else that is 8"-15" long and lively. Next, head to the Marathon or swingle or one of the 50 mile rigs (60 miles or so SW). Take a good size circle hook and snell it to 12' of 100 lb flourocarbon. attach a good strong swivel and enough lead to hold the bait down. Inspect the area of your choice and when you mark fish that a pretty consistent thick line (red on my Furuno) lower the bait down slowly to that depth. Lock the drag and hold on. Also, jigging the expensive jigs and/or grubs will work once you mark the fish.

Rigs (or any high relief structure) in 300' plus of water, close to the shelf, usually holds AJ. Fish the upcurrent side. Lock down drag. Pull them out with the boat then fight them.

I have never seen a need for fluoro on AJ personally,

Catch 'em up.

-Rob

I wouldn't spend the money on the flouro. You could put the circle hook on the end of a dog chain with those stupid fish and still catch them i think.

But do what rob said. when you get hooked up. Drag them a couple hundred yards away from the rig in the boat, then fight them.

Drag them a couple hundred yards away from the rig in the boat, then fight them.

200 yds? You must be using ultra-lite tackle.

Red,
definitely 200 maybe even 400 yds. Not everybody can fight fish with a handline like you oldtimer. See ya in two weeks barring me from jinxing weather for everyone.

Red,
definitely 200 maybe even 400 yds. Not everybody can fight fish with a handline like you oldtimer. See ya in two weeks barring me from jinxing weather for everyone.

We'll see in two weeks I guess, one never knows with this weather.

Here's a pic of Rob with one after the boat drifted away from the rig ... good gaff shot.


http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/593/17087332.jpg

AJs out of Orange Beach, especially in the summer time on well known spots, can show a preference for a long flouro leader and smaller lead...Right now I doubt its necessary, and when fishing natural rock bottom its hardly ever necessary, but on places like the Marathon and others in the summer the long flouro/lighter lead can be a trick to filling the box or just catching the dumb 1 or 2 on the wreck.

AJs out of Orange Beach, especially in the summer time on well known spots, can show a preference for a long flouro leader and smaller lead...Right now I doubt its necessary, and when fishing natural rock bottom its hardly ever necessary, but on places like the Marathon and others in the summer the long flouro/lighter lead can be a trick to filling the box or just catching the dumb 1 or 2 on the wreck.

I think Rob had that rig snelled with 300# mono ... no problem.

they dont call them reef donkeys for nothing

Damn I'm handsome!

:grin:

MP255, that rig is money! As soon as you are hooked up, brace your knees on the rail and have your guy driving goose the throttle to get off the rig. Then have fun with a heating pad on your back the next day.

Also, pinfish through the back is good bait.

Damn I'm handsome!

:grin:

And I'm a GREAT gaffer!!!!:rofl: Dang, that pic is a couple of years old now.

We'll see in two weeks I guess, one never knows with this weather.

Here's a pic of Rob with one after the boat drifted away from the rig ... good gaff shot.


http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/593/17087332.jpg

Two reef donkeys in that picture!

Two reef donkeys in that picture!

:jk:Good one!:jk:

Stick with the jigging. It works and you don't have to worry about searching for live bait. If it's not working for you, I'm guessing several reasons: 1) you're dropping in the wrong spot; 2) you're using the wrong size/weight jig; or 3) you're not working it fast enough.

Idle around a rig in 250+ feet of water until your fishfinder lights up with fish between 150-200 ft down. For some reason, we usually find them on the front corner of the rig that is breaking the current. Drop a long, heavy (9 oz or better) jig like a Williamson Benthos in some variation of chrome and count to 40-50. Then start jigging as fast as you can and hang on. They'll usually hit it within 10 cranks. It's just a matter of your line and knots holding up at that point.

Two reef donkeys in that picture!

http://biboz.net/gifs/smiles-de-bananas/emoticonos_bananas_files/bananas_brindando.gif

This one is money$$$$$$ 61 miles almost due south of DI, fish the up current side. Back down tight to a leg leaving the rod in the holder (drag locked) when the rod is doubled over have someone start cranking as you ease of the rig then you can fight them away from rig with out worrying about getting cut off in the rig:thumbsup:


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s279/DominoEffect_photos/100_1961.jpg

Go to the marathon rig or the marathon jacket. both are underwater. both are on all marine charts. You can catch plenty of aj's there on jigs or live bait