Greater amberjack fishing out of Carrabelle comes down to timing and structure: the wrecks, reefs and towers offshore, measured here in feet of depth and nautical miles from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. Sites are sorted from the shortest run to the longest, so you can match a site to your boat’s range. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
When greater amberjack are around Carrabelle
Three sources describe the season slightly differently, and they overlap on spring.
- Guidesly: greater amberjack are plentiful April to October.
- Drop Zone: spring and fall are prime when the water is in the 70s.
- Fishanywhere: the Fishanywhere Carrabelle amberjack calendar marks April and June.
Water temperature in the 70s is a useful cue for spring and fall, alongside the calendar windows above. Before the run, check wind, wave height and period in the official NWS marine forecast.
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
Boats run offshore to wrecks, reefs and oil rigs. No single run distance fits the port, so match the ground to your fuel and your boat. Every distance and bearing below is measured from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. The sites span 5.5 nm to 28.9 nm and 39 ft to 105 ft, which makes depth and distance the two numbers that sort your options. Our regional guides cover the wider Gulf reef-fish picture.
Chart layers and the positions on this page are not for navigation.
| Site | AARA ID | Depth ft | nm from Red 10 | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2 |
| Robby’s Reef | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7 |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5 |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0 |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | 15.6 | 176.7 | |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8 |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3 |
| CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef (Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System) | 50 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Carrabelle 3 Mile
AARA FR0018 is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites. It sits in 39 ft, 5.5 nm out at bearing 107.2. It is the shortest run on the list and the obvious starting point if fuel range is the constraint.
CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef and Robby’s Reef
The CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef, part of the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System, sits in 50 ft. Robby’s Reef, a 2016 addition (AARA FR0039), holds 52 ft at 11.6 nm and bearing 127.7. Both are in the low 50s for depth, a step out from 3 Mile.
Culverts, the O-Tower Barge and Rotary
The Carrabelle Reef Culverts (FR0012) lie in 70 ft at 14.5 nm, bearing 169.5. The O-Tower Barge, also called the Carrabelle Reef Barge (FR0013), sits in 74 ft at 15.0 nm, bearing 169.0. Carrabelle/Rotary (FR0011) is 15.6 nm out at bearing 176.7. All three fall between 14.5 and 15.6 nm on bearings from 169.0 to 176.7, a southerly cluster that can be worked in one run. The Culverts and Barge sit on nearly the same line.
K Tower
K Tower (FR0007) stands in 60 ft at 17.2 nm, bearing 113.8. That bearing is closer to the 3 Mile line (107.2) than to the southern cluster. The tower is shallower than the Culverts and Barge but farther out.
S Tower
S Tower (FR0005) is the deepest and farthest site on the list: 105 ft at 28.9 nm, bearing 173.3. It lies on roughly the same southerly line as the Culverts, Barge and Rotary, at nearly twice their distance from Red 10. Check wind, wave height and period in the NWS marine forecast before a run this long.
How greater amberjack are fished out of Carrabelle
Local anglers work greater amberjack by jigging near structure or by dropping live bait or heavy jigs to it. Drop Zone describes hard runs back to cover, so the fish need to be turned quickly. General tackle and biology are covered in our greater amberjack tackle and biology guide.
Who fishes for greater amberjack out of Carrabelle
These local charters list greater amberjack.
Drop Zone Fishing
Drop Zone Fishing in Carrabelle runs a 31 ft Bluewater with twin 300 hp Suzuki engines. Captain Del Betit is listed for greater amberjack out of Carrabelle.
Shell Yeah Charters
Shell Yeah Charters out of Carrabelle is run by Captain Pat McElreath, USCG OUPV licensed.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of Carrabelle
When is the best time for greater amberjack fishing out of Carrabelle?
Guidesly says greater amberjack are particularly plentiful April to October. Drop Zone says spring and fall are prime when the water is in the 70s. The Fishanywhere calendar marks April and June.
What is the closest amberjack structure to Carrabelle?
Carrabelle 3 Mile (AARA FR0018), in 39 ft, 5.5 nm at bearing 107.2 from Red 10.
How far is K Tower from Carrabelle?
K Tower (AARA FR0007) is 17.2 nm at bearing 113.8 from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy, in 60 ft.
What is the deepest site on the list?
S Tower (AARA FR0005), 105 ft, 28.9 nm at bearing 173.3 from Red 10.
How do you keep a greater amberjack off the structure?
Turn the fish quickly. Drop Zone describes hard runs back to cover.
Who runs amberjack charters out of Carrabelle?
Drop Zone Fishing, Captain Del Betit, and Shell Yeah Charters (Captain Pat McElreath, USCG OUPV licensed).
