reef

Almaco Jack

Seriola rivoliana

Deeper AJ-family cousin. Stronger meat, less prone to ciguatera in FL waters. Vertical jigs over deep wrecks.

Preferred water temp70–85°F

Preferred depth80–400 ft

Peak monthsApr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Holds ondeep wrecks, ledges, high relief

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 4 of 4 regulations

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 20 / angler / day

No minimum size in FL state waters. Counts within the 20-fish lesser-jacks aggregate (lesser AJ + banded rudderfish + almaco jack combined).

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 20 / angler / day

Part of 20-fish/person/day other snapper-grouper aggregate.

SC almaco jack: 20-fish aggregate.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day

Unregulated species: 2 fish or 100 lbs whichever is more.

FL Atlantic almaco jack: unregulated default.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day

Unregulated species default: 2 fish or 100 lbs.

FL Gulf almaco jack: unregulated default.