njmad

I was out at a local reck and were fishing and catch many red snapper but after about an half an hoursomeone else pulles up and we have to share the reck. They were there for about 20 minutes and caught at least 4 amberjack and left. So I know that they are there but could not catch them?

Help on how or what to use to catch amberjack.

Splittine

Big live baits or Jigs, shoot www.fishing a pm he has some nice jigs he made that he was selling on here.

Chris Couture

The funnest way to catch them is by jigging for them! Use spinning tackle with 30 pound test and a 6" laser tail jig and jig it as fast as you can as you reel it from the bottom to the top.

angus_cow_doctor

You need live bait. If you were to catch hardtails in the pass prior to going out, then freeline them under you, you would catch amberjack too.

Dan deGraaf

did theboat those guys were fishingin have teeth panted on the bow?

njmad

No teeth

Private Pilot

For the big jacks, I'll use a 5-6oz vertical jig or a big live bait. Jig it fast and they should eat it. I'll use a 1-2oz bucktail for the smaller ones.

If you want a challenge, put the 1oz on a light tackle setup. It's difficult but it's a fun fight.

countryjwh

if you search amberjacks under offshore questions, i believe all your answers will be answered if you read some of the post. there is a wealth of information on them.

pescador

Right now is a great time for AJ. Stop at the tide line in the pass, drop some sabiki rigs down and get some hard tails and thread fin herring in the live well. Drop them down on a circle hook, set the drag as tight as possible and set the rod in the rod holder. Then try to keep them out of the wreck.

JoeZ

One thing that wasn't mentioned -- maybe it's understood that you know this -- is to fish up in the water column for AJ.

While my biggest jack came dead on the bottom -- in 300 feet mind you -- you'll get your most hits up above the wreck.

Locate them on your bottom machine and drop to the level where they are hanging. Best trick I've learned for this is to take your rods and a Sharpie marker and mark the line every 50 feet or so. Then you'll have your prescribed depth as it can be tough to judge this for many people trying to figure it.

Combine that with big live baits and you're on. Hang on tight, jacks are mean.