Amberjack illustration
Species

Amberjack

Seriola dumerili
Also known as greater amberjack · allied kingfish · great amberfish · greater yellowtail · jenny lind · sea donkey · purplish amberjack · reef donkey
Tier 3Eating6/10heavy tackleNSWQLDWA
37 waypoints80–130 cm (max 190 cm) typical

Overview: about amberjack

Hard-pulling reef jack closely related to kingfish, found over deep reefs and structure off NSW and QLD. Targeted with live baits, jigs and large soft plastics in 40-200m. Big amberjack are brutal fighters — they head straight for the reef and rarely give an inch.

Biology: Amberjack size, diet & habitat

Habitat
Offshore, Reef
Typical size
80–130 cm (max 190 cm)
Weight
8–30 kg (max 80 kg)
Depth range
20–360 m
Diet
reef fish, squid, baitfish
Most active
diurnal
Global range
Subtropical to tropical reefs worldwide

How to target: Amberjack angling strategies

Generally fished with heavy tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.

  • jigging heavy knife and butterfly jigs on deep reef pinnacles
  • live-baiting yakkas or slimy mackerel down a paternoster
  • slow-pitch jigging on offshore wrecks 80-150m

Safety & handling

Ciguatera risk: moderateAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.

Avoid eating larger fish in tropical waters due to ciguatera risk.

Recent community catches: anglers who caught amberjack

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Where to catch: amberjack fishing spots in Australia

Queensland36
New South Wales1

More information: amberjack references & sources

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