When greater amberjack are around St. Augustine
Greater amberjack fishing out of St. Augustine centers on the reefs and artificial reef structure off the inlet. If you are planning a day fishing out of St. Augustine, that structure is where boats run. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
Sly-Fox lists greater amberjack in its fall, winter, spring and summer species. For how the fish behave and grow, see the greater amberjack guide.
How far boats run for amberjack off St. Augustine
Long Line puts trips up to 20 miles offshore, depending on conditions. Amberjack off St. Augustine sit on reef and artificial reef structure in two depth bands.
| Band | Depth | Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Nearshore | 56 to 63 ft | Nine Mile, North Nine Mile, Andy King |
| Deeper | 97 to 104 ft | Capo, Moody, Intruder |
Moody Reef sits 26 miles east of St. Augustine, which is beyond the 20 miles Long Line quotes.
NOAA NDBC station 41012 is the nearest reference station. Before you run, read wave height, period and wind from the official forecast and plan the day around those numbers.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
Published coordinates and chart layers are not for navigation, so verify every position on your own chart and plotter. The artificial reef positions below run from shallow to deep.
| Site | Depth | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Nine Mile Reef (Leon Roddy) | 63 ft | About 9 miles off St. Augustine (Long Line) |
| North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 | 56 to 80 ft | Near 29 54 N, 81 07 W |
| Nine Mile North Reef | 56 ft | 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W |
| Andy King Reef | 60 ft | 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W |
| Capo Reef North | 97 ft | 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W |
| Capo Reef South | 97 ft | 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W |
| Moody Reef | 100 ft | 26 miles east of St. Augustine |
| Intruder Reef 1 | 104 ft | 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W |
Nine Mile Reef (Leon Roddy)
The tug Leon Roddy sits in 63 ft, about 9 miles off St. Augustine per Long Line.
North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7
Depths run 56 to 80 ft by site, near 29 54 N, 81 07 W. The structure is concrete culverts, dumpsters and rubble.
Nine Mile North Reef
This reef is concrete culverts in 56 ft at 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W.
Andy King Reef
Andy King lies offshore in 60 ft at 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W. It is the Bridge of Lions reef site, in the Bridge of Lions permit area.
Capo Reef North and South
Both sit in 97 ft, the first of the deeper band. North is at 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W and South at 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W.
Moody Reef
Moody is in 100 ft, 26 miles east of St. Augustine, past the 20 miles Long Line quotes for its trips.
Intruder Reef 1 and 2
The structure is A-6 aircraft frames in 104 ft. Reef 1 is at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W.
How amberjack are fished here
Fishing here happens on structure: bottom fishing on reefs and wrecks, plus trolling on some trips.
Bottom fishing reefs and wrecks
Bottom fishing on reefs and wrecks is the local method. It suits the structure listed above: the tug, the culverts, the rubble and the aircraft frames. General bottom technique is covered in the reef fish guides.
Trolling and bottom fishing on Drop Down trips
Drop Down’s trips catch amberjack trolling and bottom fishing.
Who fishes for amberjack out of St. Augustine
Four local operators list greater amberjack:
- Long Line Charters, Captain David Ledford. Runs trips up to 20 miles offshore depending on conditions. See Long Line Charters out of St. Augustine.
- Brian Walker Fishing Charters, Captain Brian Walker. U.S. Coast Guard licensed and insured.
- Drop Down Sport Fish Charters, Captain Alex. Catches amberjack trolling and bottom fishing. See the Drop Down fishing reports.
- Sly-Fox, Captain Red Beard and crew. Departs from the Conch House. Its Sly-Fox season species lists include amberjack in fall, winter, spring and summer.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of St. Augustine
How far offshore are the amberjack reefs from St. Augustine?
Long Line runs trips up to 20 miles offshore, depending on conditions. Nine Mile Reef is about 9 miles off, and Moody Reef is 26 miles east of St. Augustine.
What depth is Nine Mile Reef?
63 ft, about 9 miles off St. Augustine. The structure is the tug Leon Roddy.
Which buoy should I check before running offshore?
NOAA NDBC station 41012 is the nearest reference station. Read wave height, period and wind from the official forecast.
When are amberjack caught off St. Augustine?
Sly-Fox lists greater amberjack in its fall, winter, spring and summer species.
Which charters fish for amberjack out of St. Augustine?
Long Line Charters (Captain David Ledford), Brian Walker Fishing Charters (Captain Brian Walker), Drop Down Sport Fish Charters (Captain Alex) and Sly-Fox (Captain Red Beard and crew).
Where are the amberjack rules?
The Florida fishing regulations page carries them. Check it before fishing. Gulf federal rules are a separate set.
