Greater amberjack fishing out of Stuart centers on Pushbutton Hill, offshore of St. Lucie Inlet, and on grouper structure in 50 to 180 ft, where amberjack come up as bycatch. This page covers the grounds, depths, run distances from St. Lucie Inlet, and the rigs local anglers build around sharks. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
When and where boats run from St. Lucie Inlet
All run distances on this page are measured from St. Lucie Inlet. Fish come from two places: the named ground at Pushbutton Hill and the grouper structure in 50 to 180 ft.
When the fish are around
Timing here follows the general biology of the species rather than a pattern specific to this port. The greater amberjack species guide covers seasonal and biological detail.
Pushbutton Hill
Pushbutton Hill, known locally as the Hill, lies offshore of St. Lucie Inlet. It is the named ground where boats run for amberjack.
Grouper bottom in 50 to 180 ft
Amberjack come up as bycatch while boats fish grouper structure in 50 to 180 ft, so anyone fishing grouper bottom in that range should be rigged for one. The reef fish regional guide covers the broader reef-fish picture.
Reading the inlet
NOAA tide station 8722207 is the tide source and reference for St. Lucie Inlet. A tide prediction is only a prediction, so check wind, wave height and period on the official marine forecast. The Stuart port page covers the inlet and its conditions sources.
Grounds and structure off Stuart
Structure falls into two tiers: the 80 ft reefs, and the 180 to 200 ft wrecks 9 to 10 miles off St. Lucie Inlet. Contour lines on the Chart Contours layer help locate the 80 ft and 180 to 200 ft bottom. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Depth | Distance or location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pushbutton Hill (the Hill) | Offshore of St. Lucie Inlet | Main amberjack ground | |
| Sandpile reef | Nearshore | Nearshore reef | |
| Six Mile reef | 80 ft | Named for six miles | |
| Eight Mile reef | 80 ft | Named for eight miles | |
| Loran Tower (Hobe Sound) | 80 ft | Off the Loran tower in Hobe Sound | |
| The Rankin (USS Rankin wreck) | Wreck | ||
| Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho) | 180 ft | 9 miles off St. Lucie Inlet | |
| Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug) | 200 ft | 9 to 10 miles offshore, reached from Stuart |
Sandpile reef
Sandpile is a nearshore reef and the shortest run on the list.
Six Mile and Eight Mile
Both are 80 ft reefs, named for six and eight miles.
Loran Tower, Hobe Sound
This ground sits at 80 ft, off the Loran tower in Hobe Sound, and belongs with the other 80 ft reefs.
The Rankin
The USS Rankin wreck is a named wreck near Stuart.
Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho)
Boo McCulley sits at 180 ft, 9 miles offshore of St. Lucie Inlet. It is the first ground of the deep tier.
Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug)
Brause Girls sits at 200 ft, 9 to 10 miles offshore, reached from Stuart. It is the deepest ground listed.
How amberjack are fished here
Local anglers use three methods:
- Live baits
- Jigs
- Large chunks of dead bait
Live baits
A live bait dropped to the structure presents naturally right where the fish hold.
Jigs
Jigs worked over the Hill and the wrecks are the second method.
Dead bait chunks
Large chunks of dead bait are the third local option.
Heavy tackle and long leaders for sharks
Sharks are the reason for heavy tackle and long leaders. Heavy tackle gets the fish up and away from the structure fast, which shortens the time sharks have at it, and the long leader holds up through the fight.
Who fishes for them out of Stuart
Owner-operators run to the Hill and fish grouper bottom in 50 to 180 ft, where amberjack come up. That covers most greater amberjack fishing out of Stuart for anglers running their own boats.
Catch Of The Day Charters
Catch Of The Day Charters lists greater amberjack and runs an Ocean Yachts 37-foot Billfish.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of Stuart
How far do boats run for amberjack out of Stuart?
The 80 ft reefs are named for six and eight miles. Boo McCulley Reef is 9 miles out at 180 ft, and Brause Girls Reef is 9 to 10 miles out at 200 ft. Pushbutton Hill lies offshore of St. Lucie Inlet.
What is Pushbutton Hill?
Pushbutton Hill, known locally as the Hill, is the named ground offshore of St. Lucie Inlet where boats run for amberjack. It is fished with live baits, jigs or large chunks of dead bait on heavy tackle.
What depth holds amberjack off Stuart?
Amberjack come up as bycatch on grouper structure in 50 to 180 ft. They also come from the wrecks at 180 to 200 ft and from Pushbutton Hill offshore of St. Lucie Inlet.
Why heavy tackle and long leaders?
Sharks. Heavy tackle gets the fish up and away from the structure fast, which shortens the time sharks have at it, and the long leader holds up through the fight.
Is there a charter that lists amberjack out of Stuart?
Catch Of The Day Charters lists greater amberjack and runs an Ocean Yachts 37-foot Billfish.
Where do I check tides for St. Lucie Inlet?
Use NOAA tide station 8722207, the St. Lucie tide source. A prediction is only a prediction, so check wind, wave height and period on the official marine forecast.
