The Bahamas Amberjack

Amberjack is the name to the three species of Atlantic fish, which includes two different jacks and the pompanos. These fish are members of the Carangidea family. The Amberjack is a prevalent species of fish in the Bahamas. These fish have been known to grow very large, over 100 pounds, which makes them fun to pursuit while out on the beautiful blue waters.

Appearance and feeding
Amberjacks are fairly large fish with the average weight being between 30 to 60 pounds. However, they tend to grow larger in the waters surrounding the Bahamas. These fish enjoy a good game of hiding go seek. They like to hide in old shipwrecks as well as any objects at the bottom of the ocean. They also can be found swimming the reefs. It is, however, not surprising to find these fish swimming in the shallow waters. The species tend to swim in schools.

These fish are fairly easy to identify. They are usually a brownish or gold in color. There is a distinguished dark color stripe that runs their entire body. Their fins are long in size. They tend to spawn throughout the year.

The younger amberjacks tend to go deeper into the water. However at times, they can be found in waters only 25 feet deep near other objects that are in the water. The younger fish range in color from a dark green to brown with a touch of silver on their sides. They also have dark, thick lines underneath their eyes.

Amberjacks are known to be a high energy fish. As much as fishermen love to pursue them, they also enjoy the pursuit and are known as a predatory fish. They love to feed on everything from other fish to squid and crustaceans.

How to catch Amberjacks when fishing in the Bahamas
The clear blue waters that is home to a lot of debris and shipwreck, makes the Amberjacks a popular fish in the Bahamas. Because they are a highly active fish and their large size, they make for a sought out once in a lifetime trophy fish. A fisherman is going to need a heavy rod and lines that can handle over 50 pounds. If fishing around any shipwrecks, the Amberjacks will follow hooked fish to the boat side. They also will surface under their own will, so keep a look out.

You will need to bait your hook with a live fish that has almost as much energy as the fish you are trying to catch if you want to get any Amberjacks to pay attention. Experienced fly fisherman can also snag these fish, but you better be ready for a long fight because they will not give in easily. Large jigs, spoons, poppers, and big flyrod streamers are all things that an angler can use to try to catch this deep swimming fighter fish. These fish are not spooked by noise and love to eat, so they are a great fish to try to catch with a group of people.