When greater amberjack are around Golden Isles
Greater amberjack fishing out of Golden Isles runs May to November, and the fish sit offshore on reefs and hard bottom. Boats run in bands, nearest first: named state reefs at 7 to 18 nmi, bottom trips out to 30 miles, the 40 mile live bottom, and The Ledge on Gulf Stream trips. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
Inlets, ramps and conditions are in the Golden Isles port guide. Biology and general tactics are in the greater amberjack species guide.
Season
St. Simons Fishing Center lists the season as May to November, so plan trips inside that window.
How far boats run
Golden Isles amberjack trips fall into three bands: reefs out to 30 miles, the 40 mile live bottom, and The Ledge on Gulf Stream trips. Match each band to your own fuel range and reserve.
| Band | Distance | Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Reefs | 7 to 18 nmi, within the 30-mile range | Georgia Reefs A, CDH, SFC |
| Bottom trips | Out to 30 miles | Reefs including G Reef |
| Live bottom | About 40 miles | 40 mile live bottom |
| Gulf Stream | Gulf Stream trips | The Ledge |
Reefs out to 30 miles
Southeastern Angling lists offshore bottom trips out to 30 miles and names a reef called G Reef in that range. The state reefs A, CDH and SFC sit inside this band, at 7 to 18 nmi. The next section has the detail.
40 mile live bottom
Greater amberjack are also listed on 40 mile live bottom trips. Southeastern Angling places this ground about 40 miles offshore, and it is natural hard bottom.
The Ledge
The Ledge is fished on Gulf Stream trips.
Grounds and structure off Golden Isles
Three Georgia state reefs sit between 7 and 18 nmi off Cumberland and Little Cumberland Islands, in 45 to 55 ft.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Position (nmi east of island) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Reef A | 45 | 7, Little Cumberland Island | Nearest named reef |
| Georgia Reef CDH | 55 | 13.5, Cumberland Island | Formerly Reef C |
| Georgia Reef SFC | 55 | 18, Little Cumberland Island | Includes Golden Ray propeller and rudder section |
| HLHA (G Reef) | Not listed | 30-mile range | Operator name G Reef; state list shows HLHA |
Reef positions appear alongside depth on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Georgia Reef A
Reef A sits in 45 ft, 7 nmi east of Little Cumberland Island. It is the nearest named reef in the set.
Georgia Reef CDH
Reef CDH sits in 55 ft, 13.5 nmi east of Cumberland Island. It was formerly Reef C.
Georgia Reef SFC and the Golden Ray section
Reef SFC sits in 55 ft, 18 nmi east of Little Cumberland Island. The Golden Ray is a capsized vessel, partly removed, lying on its port side. Its Golden Ray propeller and rudder section sits on Georgia Reef SFC.
G Reef (HLHA)
G Reef is the operator’s name for a reef in the 30-mile range. The state list shows it as HLHA, formerly G.
Reef names old and new
Operator pages and older guides still use the old names, while the state list uses the new ones:
- G Reef is now HLHA
- Reef C is now CDH
Match the operator name to the state name before you plot a waypoint.
How amberjack are fished here
Local trips list greater amberjack on bottom fishing over reefs and live bottom. Charters publish little on rigs. Wider bottom-fishing context is in the reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them out of this port
Four Golden Isles operators list greater amberjack.
St. Simons Fishing Center
St. Simons Fishing Center lists greater amberjack and gives the season as May to November.
Georgia Fishing (Captain Mark Noble)
Captain Mark Noble’s operation, Georgia Fishing with Captain Noble, lists greater amberjack.
Southeastern Angling
Southeastern Angling offshore trips include bottom trips out to 30 miles, with G Reef named in that range, and 40 mile live bottom trips.
Jekyll Island Fishing Center
Jekyll Island Fishing Center lists greater amberjack.
FAQ: greater amberjack out of Golden Isles
When is greater amberjack season out of Golden Isles?
May to November, as listed by St. Simons Fishing Center.
How far is the nearest reef?
Georgia Reef A is the nearest named reef. It sits in 45 ft, 7 nmi east of Little Cumberland Island.
What is G Reef called on the state list?
HLHA, formerly G. G Reef is the operator’s name for a reef in the 30-mile range.
What happened to Reef C?
It is listed as Georgia Reef CDH. It sits in 55 ft, 13.5 nmi east of Cumberland Island.
Where is the Golden Ray section?
The Golden Ray propeller and rudder section sits on Georgia Reef SFC, in 55 ft, 18 nmi east of Little Cumberland Island.
Do charters run the 40 mile live bottom?
Yes. Southeastern Angling lists 40 mile live bottom trips, about 40 miles offshore.
