When and where boats run from Hernando Beach
Greater amberjack fishing out of Hernando Beach centers on artificial reefs in the Gulf off the Nature Coast. The one published run is about 20 nautical miles west, and the named grounds sit in 18 to 26 ft. Ramps, the channel and nearby ports are covered on the port page, so they are left out here. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
Timing
No Hernando Beach timing for amberjack is published. For biology, depth habits and seasonal behavior, use the greater amberjack species guide.
The run west to Bendickson Reef
Bendickson Reef, the Army tank reef, sits about 20 nautical miles west of Hernando Beach, so plan on 20 nm each way for fuel and time. None of the other named grounds has a published distance, so the table below lists them by depth only.
The only documented picture of where boats run for amberjack is the target list of one local operator, which names amberjack among its offshore targets.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
The full named set sits in 18 to 26 ft, which is shallow for a fish many owners know from deeper water elsewhere.
| Name | Structure | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Bendickson Reef | Army tanks | 26 |
| Bendickson Reef | Concrete culvert sites | 25 |
| Ghost Ship | Decommissioned concrete sailboat | |
| A.H. Richardson Reef | Concrete culverts | 18 |
| Richardson Reef | Skyway concrete rubble | 20 |
| Jim Champion Reef | Sites 1 to 4 | 20 |
| Reef Ball Reef | Reef balls | 25 |
| Gomez Rocks (north and south) | Pilings with rocks between them |
The Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint shows the bottom around these reefs for context. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Bendickson Reef: tanks, culverts and the Ghost Ship
The Army tanks sit in 26 ft and the concrete culvert sites in 25 ft. Bendickson is the one ground with a published distance, about 20 nm west. The Ghost Ship, a decommissioned concrete sailboat, is on the same reef, with no depth published.
Richardson reefs: culverts and Skyway rubble
A.H. Richardson Reef holds concrete culverts at 18 ft, the shallowest named ground. Richardson Reef holds Skyway concrete rubble at 20 ft.
Jim Champion Reef, sites 1 to 4
Four numbered sites sit in 20 ft.
Reef Ball Reef
Reef ball structure sits in 25 ft.
Gomez Rocks
The north and south sites are described as pilings with rocks between them. No depth or distance is published for either.
How amberjack are fished here
The documented local method is offshore bottom fishing over this structure. The local operator runs offshore bottom fishing trips and names amberjack among its targets. For general technique, use the reef fish guides.
Who fishes for amberjack out of Hernando Beach
- Operator: Angling Adventures offshore bottom trips list greater amberjack among their offshore targets.
- Boat: A Sea Fox 256, a 26 ft offshore boat with twin 150 HP Yamaha outboards.
- Use as a benchmark: That boat is a reference point for a center console making this run, not a recommendation or a minimum.
- Before you go: Check wind in knots, wave height and wave period on the official NWS marine forecast.
FAQ: greater amberjack fishing out of Hernando Beach
How far is the run to the amberjack reefs from Hernando Beach?
About 20 nautical miles west to Bendickson Reef. The other grounds have no published distance.
What depth are the reefs off Hernando Beach?
The named grounds run 18 to 26 ft. A.H. Richardson is the shallowest at 18 ft, and the Bendickson tanks are the deepest at 26 ft.
What is the Ghost Ship?
A decommissioned concrete sailboat on Bendickson Reef, about 20 nm west.
Is there a charter that targets amberjack out of Hernando Beach?
Angling Adventures lists greater amberjack among its offshore targets. It runs a 26 ft Sea Fox 256 with twin 150 HP Yamahas.
Where are the amberjack rules?
FWC sets the state rules, and they are on our Florida saltwater regulations page. Federal waters can differ, so see the Gulf reef fish federal rules. Check both before every trip.
