Greater amberjack fishing out of Fort Lauderdale centers on reefs and wrecks. October is the only month rated for this port, and it rates weak. This page gives that rating, nine named structures grouped by inlet, and two local operators who list the species. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
When greater amberjack are off Fort Lauderdale
FishingBooker’s Fort Lauderdale catch chart rates October as weak for amberjack. It lists no other month for this port.
A weak rating is a reason to arrive with a plan. Load the structure before you clear the inlet and decide which spots you will work first. Nobody can promise fish, but you can choose where to look with some information behind the choice.
Go/no-go decisions come down to wind speed, wave height and wave period. Read them in the NWS coastal waters forecast for Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef, and make your own call.
- October: rated weak
- Every other month: not rated on the chart
- What to do with that: pick your spots ahead of time and keep the plan short
Where boats run
Greater amberjack hold on reef and wreck habitat here. That is the target; open water between structures is transit.
Two access points matter for the grounds below: Port Everglades and Hillsboro Inlet. The structure is grouped so you can see which inlet fronts the Hillsboro cluster. Inlet, ramp and navigation detail is in the Fort Lauderdale port guide.
Grounds and structure
There are nine named structures, each with a BR code. The BR codes match the waypoints in the Breakpoint app, so you can load them over Chart Contours before you leave the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Hillsboro Inlet side
These five sit around Hillsboro Inlet:
- Hillsboro Ledge (BR-167): outside Hillsboro Inlet
- Hillsboro Domes (BR-164): north of Hillsboro Inlet
- Opal Towers (BR-168): just off Hillsboro
- Attis Bathtub Reef (BR-158): east of Hillsboro Inlet
- Abby Too (BR-161): south of Hillsboro Inlet
Other named structure
These four are named structure off Fort Lauderdale, listed by name and code:
- Hammerhead Reef (BR-32)
- The Caves, Twin Ledges S (BR-57)
- The Caves, Twin Ledges N (BR-65)
- Port Everglades Reef (BR-42)
How it is fished here
Amberjack fishing here is structure fishing. You fish the reef and the wreck, so the plan starts with which BR-coded spot you run to first. Order your list by the inlet you leave from.
For the regional and species-family picture, see our reef fish guides. The greater amberjack fishing guide covers tackle, bait and technique. Work the structure, mark what you find and adjust on the next run.
Who fishes for them
Two Fort Lauderdale operators list greater amberjack.
Marlin My Darlin (All-Inclusive Sportfishing)
All-Inclusive Sportfishing runs My Marlin Darlin and a 46 ft Hatteras used for dinner cruises. It lists greater amberjack.
All Good Charters
All Good Charters runs a 22 ft boat and lists greater amberjack.
A trip with a local captain is one way to see the structure before you run it yourself, though it doesn’t guarantee fish.
FAQ: greater amberjack fishing out of Fort Lauderdale
What is the best month for greater amberjack fishing out of Fort Lauderdale?
October is the only rated month, and FishingBooker’s chart rates it weak. No other month is listed. Load the structure and go with a plan.
Which spots should I load?
Load Hillsboro Ledge (BR-167), Hillsboro Domes (BR-164), Opal Towers (BR-168), Attis Bathtub Reef (BR-158), Abby Too (BR-161), Hammerhead Reef (BR-32), The Caves Twin Ledges S (BR-57) and N (BR-65), and Port Everglades Reef (BR-42). The BR codes match the app waypoints.
Should I run out of Port Everglades or Hillsboro Inlet?
Hillsboro Ledge, Hillsboro Domes, Opal Towers, Attis Bathtub Reef and Abby Too sit around Hillsboro Inlet. Pick the inlet that fronts your first spot. The port guide linked above has inlet detail.
Which charters list greater amberjack here?
Marlin My Darlin (All-Inclusive Sportfishing) runs My Marlin Darlin and a 46 ft Hatteras. All Good Charters runs a 22 ft boat. Both list greater amberjack.
Do Gulf reef fish rules apply off Fort Lauderdale?
No. Fort Lauderdale fishes Atlantic water. Check FWC and the Florida regulations page before you fish.
