Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Offshore TABLE: Good DIFFICULTY
Dark, deep-bodied amberjack relative with a tall front dorsal and a faint head bar - a stockier, darker cousin of the greater amberjack. Reef fish are commonly 10-30 lb.
⚖ Texas & federal limits
Bag, size and season rules apply — several offshore species run on federal seasons that open and close by the year. Check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual →.
Bag, size and season rules apply — several offshore species run on federal seasons that open and close by the year. Check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual →.
On the water
WhenSpring through fall on the offshore structure; often mixed with amberjack while working deep reefs and rigs.WhereDeeper offshore reefs, banks, wrecks, and rigs, usually holding a bit off the bottom over hard structure in 150-400+ ft.HowDrop live bait or heavy jigs to structure, or speed-jig the lower third of the water column; hook up and pull hard immediately to turn the fish before it reaches cover.BehaviorStrong, structure-oriented reef predator that packs up over wrecks and banks, hammering baitfish and squid near the bottom and in the water column.The fightBrutal, dogged, straight-down power - a true reef-donkey slugfest.
Baits that work
- Live hardtails, cigar minnows, and pinfish
- Heavy speed jigs (200-300 g)
- Whole/cut squid and cut bait
Tackle
Rod & reelHeavy 6-7 ft conventional jigging/bottom rodLine50-80 lb braidLeader60-100 lb fluoroTerminal6/0-9/0 circleRigKnocker/dropper rig or a heavy speed jig
The bait clock
☀ DawnLive bait dropped to structure
Reef fish feed hard early over hard bottom.
☼ MiddaySpeed jig or live bait to the lower column
Daytime jigging and bait around deep rigs and banks.
☾ DuskLive bait to structure
Evening feed before light fades.
[{'months': [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10], 'note': 'Warm-season deep-reef and rig fishery, often alongside amberjack.'}]
Win the first ten feet or lose the fish to the rocks.
Don’t confuse it with
Almaco's second dorsal front lobe is tall — nearly twice the height of the fin behind it — and the body is deep and dusky. AJ is sleeker with a low dorsal.
Not sure? Point the Fish ID camera at it →
Keep or release
Handling & releaseDeep-water fish - barotrauma is likely; use a descending device or venting tool to release. Strong even at boatside; control the leader.On the tableWhite, firm meat, rated better than greater amberjack; check larger fish for flesh parasites.As baitNo - kept for the table.
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