reef

Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

Smaller cousin of greater AJ — different slot limit (14-22 in). Often mixed in on AJ wrecks; release greaters during closure.

Preferred water temp65–85°F

Preferred depth30–130 ft

Holds onwrecks, reefs, ledges

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 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 12 of 12 regulations

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

SC HB 219 (2025): state matches federal.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–22″ FL (fork length)

Slot 14-22" fork, 5/person. Same rules as Atlantic.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–22″ FL (fork length)

14-22" FL slot. Aggregate with banded rudderfish.

Alabama lesser AJ: 14-22" slot, reef fish aggregate.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

GMFMC: 5/person/day, 14" FL min.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–22″ FL (fork length)

Slot 14-22" fork. 5/person. NOT the same as greater AJ (34" min). Identify by darker color and proportionally smaller second dorsal.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Slot: 14″–22″ FL (fork length)

Slot 14-22" FL, 5 per person combined with banded rudderfish.

Louisiana lesser AJ: 5/day aggregate.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

GMFMC: 5/person/day, 14" FL min.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

Follows SAFMC.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

Follows SAFMC.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

GMFMC: 5/person/day, 14" FL min.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

SAFMC: 5/person/day, 14" FL min.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bahamas vessel-aggregate (60 lbs / 20 demersal).