Greater amberjack fishing out of Fort Myers Beach comes down to run distances, named reefs and wrecks with positions you can enter in a plotter, the methods local boats use, and the charters that fish them. General behavior and tackle are in our greater amberjack guide. This page covers the port itself. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
Where boats run from Fort Myers Beach
Boats run 10-15 miles to the offshore reefs and the shelf edge, and about 30 miles off Sanibel Island to the Mohawk. The first is a short offshore run; the second is the longest on this list. No local season was found for Fort Myers Beach.
| Ground | Run | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore reefs and wrecks | 10-15 miles | Not stated |
| Shelf edge | 10-15 miles | Not stated |
| USCGC Mohawk | About 30 miles off Sanibel Island | 90 ft |
Reefs and shelf edge at 10-15 miles
Offshore reefs, wrecks and the shelf edge sit 10-15 miles out, and greater amberjack are fished over that structure. Gulf Bound Charters and Salty Fishing Charters both list amberjack on their offshore trips.
The Mohawk at about 30 miles
The USCGC Mohawk Veterans Memorial Reef sits in 90 ft, about 30 miles off Sanibel Island.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
Fishing here centers on a short list of named reefs, patches and one wreck. Enter these positions as published, in degrees and decimal minutes.
| Site | Type/Note | Position | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef | Artificial reef | ||
| The Mount | Chris Koepfer’s ARC reef site | 26° 24.721′ N, 82° 24.747′ W | |
| Dean Hicks East Patch | Dean Hicks reef | 26° 22.045′ N, 82° 17.121′ W | |
| Dean Hicks West Patch | Dean Hicks reef | 26° 22.043′ N, 82° 17.464′ W | |
| Phoenix | Lee County reef site | 26° 45.582′ N, 82° 28.443′ W | |
| USCGC Mohawk WPG-78 Veterans Memorial Reef | Wreck, about 30 miles off Sanibel Island | 90 ft |
These are published positions, and chart layers are not for navigation. Verify each mark against your own plotter and the Lee County artificial reef program before you run.
Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef
Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef is a named artificial reef near Fort Myers Beach.
The Mount
The Mount is Chris Koepfer’s ARC reef site, at 26° 24.721′ N, 82° 24.747′ W.
Dean Hicks East and West Patches
The East Patch sits at 26° 22.045′ N, 82° 17.121′ W and the West Patch at 26° 22.043′ N, 82° 17.464′ W. They share a latitude of 26° 22.04′ and differ by about 0.34 minutes of longitude, so both can be fished on one trip.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a Lee County reef site at 26° 45.582′ N, 82° 28.443′ W, the most northerly position on this list.
USCGC Mohawk
The USCGC Mohawk WPG-78 Veterans Memorial Reef is a wreck in 90 ft, about 30 miles off Sanibel Island.
How amberjack are fished here
Local boats fish greater amberjack with bottom rigs and drift tactics over the reefs and wrecks listed above. For wider reef tactics, see our reef fish guides.
Bottom rigs
Bottom rigs are a local method on the reef sites and wrecks. They suit the fixed structure on this list, from The Mount to the 90 ft Mohawk.
Drift tactics
Drift fishing over the structure is the second local method. It suits the two Dean Hicks patches, which sit close together, and the wreck.
Who fishes for them out of this port
Two Fort Myers Beach offshore charters list greater amberjack.
Gulf Bound Charters
Gulf Bound Charters lists amberjack on its offshore trips.
Salty Fishing Charters
Salty Fishing Charters runs with Captain Daniel Medina on a 2600 Angler and a World Cat 330TE, and lists amberjack on its offshore trips.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of Fort Myers Beach
How far do boats run for greater amberjack from Fort Myers Beach?
10-15 miles to the offshore reefs and the shelf edge. The Mohawk is about 30 miles off Sanibel Island.
What depth is the Mohawk?
90 ft. It is the USCGC Mohawk WPG-78 Veterans Memorial Reef, about 30 miles off Sanibel Island.
Where is The Mount?
26° 24.721′ N, 82° 24.747′ W. It is Chris Koepfer’s ARC reef site. Verify the mark on your own plotter before you run.
What methods do local boats use?
Bottom rigs and drift tactics over the reefs and wrecks.
Which charters target amberjack?
Gulf Bound Charters and Salty Fishing Charters, with Captain Daniel Medina, list amberjack on offshore trips.
Where are the rules?
See the Regulations section above and check the state and federal agency pages before you fish.
