Quickly, get on the phone and book a charter boat to fish during the first 24 days of August this year. Not only can you catch Alabama’s signature saltwater fish, red snapper, but the season for hard-fighting amberjack and tasty gray triggerfish will also be open.
Unfortunately, the window is short to catch all three. Amberjack and red snapper seasons only run through August 24. Fortunately, triggerfish season continues for the rest of the year if the projected quota is not met.
The August season for amberjack (AJs) applies to both federally permitted for-hire vessels (charter boats) and private recreational anglers. The recreational amberjack quota is 335,320 pounds, with a daily limit of one per angler and a 34-inch minimum fork length.
Although AJs can be caught in somewhat shallow water of between 70 to 100 feet, amberjack typically prefer to live around structures in 150 to 200 feet of water. For Gulf anglers, that means a pretty decent boat ride of 30 miles or more, which means you’ll probably need to book at least a 10-hour trip to allow for plenty of fishing time.
One of the hardest-fighting species in the Gulf, AJs like structures with vertical relief, like large wrecks or petroleum platforms. Don’t skimp on the tackle for amberjack because they will test your tackle and endurance. Stick with at least a 50-pound or heavier test line to be able to put enough pressure on the fish to keep it out from the structure and the razor-sharp barnacles. If you have trouble keeping the AJs from getting back into the structure, move up in tackle size with 80- to 130-pound test line
Unlike red snapper and triggerfish, amberjack usually circle the structure well off the bottom, so don’t drop your bait all the way to the bottom.
The larger amberjack readily take live hardtails (blue runners), or other finfish fished with large circle hooks. Use enough weight to offset the current and keep the bait in the strike zone.
You can use a large jighead with a plastic curly tail if the spot has numerous small to mid-sized AJs. Drop the bait down and then pump the rod vigorously to trigger a bite.
The numerous charter boats that dock in the Orange Beach-Gulf Shores area have plenty of experience finding amberjack spots. Plus, they know where to add red snapper to the catch during the season.
After August 24, plan to head out to catch various reef fish, including triggerfish and vermilion snapper (beeliners). The triggerfish limit is one person with a minimum fork length of 15 inches. The great thing about beeliners is they make delicious table fare, and the daily bag limit is 10 per angler with a minimum total length of 10 inches. No, vermilion snapper don’t get nearly as large as red snapper, but a decent beeliner yields a perfect size fillet for a single serving at dinner.
Of course, when you’re fishing for triggers and beeliners, you’ll need to downsize the tackle and hook sizes. Cut squid is a great bait for triggerfish because it is tough, and it’s hard for the nibbling triggerfish to steal your bait.
Like I said early, time is of the essence if you want to catch amberjack, red snapper and gray triggerfish on the same trip. Book a trip today and enjoy this Gulf fishing bonanza.
Plan your fishing trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and book a place to stay today!
