When amberjack show up out of Steinhatchee
Greater amberjack fishing out of Steinhatchee happens on two kinds of trips: gag runs of 100+ miles and nearshore reef and bottom trips, where amberjack are an occasional catch. For the fish itself, see our greater amberjack guide. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
Timing here follows the trip, not the calendar. For season questions, the Regulations section below points to the right agencies.
On gag runs of 100+ miles
Off The Clock catches amberjack on its gag trips, which run 100+ miles out and are the longest runs from the port.
On reef and bottom trips
Off The Clock also catches amberjack on reef and bottom trips. Sea Hag’s weekly fishing reports describe amberjack as an occasional catch around reefs, so plan a nearshore day with that in mind.
Before you run, check wind speed, wave height and period on the NWS marine forecast and on NOAA’s NDBC station pages, and make your own call from those numbers. Ramp and conditions context is on the Steinhatchee port page.
Grounds and structure near Steinhatchee
The named grounds below include public reefs and named bottom spots.
| Name | Type | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steinhatchee Reef | Permitted public reef, four bottom areas plus cube field | 20 | |
| Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area (SFMA) | Permitted artificial reef area | 35 | Centered off the mouth of the Steinhatchee River |
| Buckeye Reef | Reef | 47 | About 24 nautical miles due west of Steinhatchee |
| Super Ledge | Ledge | 29 22.817N 83 45.675W | |
| The Crack | Named ground | 29 23.819N 83 42.722W | |
| Lamb Spring | Spring | 29 26.628N 83 50.627W | |
| Birdrack Reef | Concrete culverts around bird rack platform | 4 | 29 40.78N 83 34.25W |
| Nine Mile Bank | Bank | 29 41.10N 83 34.60W |
Chart layers and waypoints are not for navigation.
Public reefs
- Steinhatchee Reef: A permitted public reef with four bottom areas plus a cube field, in 20 ft.
- SFMA: A permitted artificial reef area in 35 ft, centered off the mouth of the Steinhatchee River.
- Buckeye Reef: 47 ft, about 24 nautical miles due west of Steinhatchee.
These reefs fit the kind of reef trip where Sea Hag’s reports describe amberjack as an occasional catch.
Named bottom spots
Super Ledge is at 29 22.817N 83 45.675W, The Crack at 29 23.819N 83 42.722W, and Lamb Spring at 29 26.628N 83 50.627W.
Birdrack Reef and Nine Mile Bank
Birdrack Reef is concrete culverts around the bird rack platform, in 4 ft, at 29 40.78N 83 34.25W. Nine Mile Bank is at 29 41.10N 83 34.60W, close to Birdrack Reef.
How amberjack are fished here
Amberjack come up alongside other reef fish on gag and bottom trips. Two methods show up in the local reports.
Live bait on the bottom
On bigger trips, boats bottom fish with live bait. This is the setup behind the long gag runs.
Light line and the chase
In Sea Hag’s reef reports, amberjack came on light line, and landing one took a chase.
Who fishes for them out of Steinhatchee
Two local charters list greater amberjack.
Off The Clock Charters
Captain Shan Roper runs a 36 ft Contender with triple 350 Suzuki engines. Gag trips run 100+ miles, and the boat also runs reef and bottom trips. The hull and power are what the long run is built on.
FinSeaker Fishing Charters
FinSeaker Fishing Charters lists greater amberjack.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of Steinhatchee
How far do boats run for amberjack from Steinhatchee?
Off The Clock catches them on gag trips 100+ miles out, and they also come on reef and bottom trips closer in. Buckeye Reef, about 24 nautical miles due west, is one reference point. Runs of 100+ miles reach federal waters, covered in the Gulf federal reef fish rules.
Do amberjack show up on the nearshore reefs?
Occasionally, per Sea Hag’s weekly reports. In its reef reports, amberjack came on light line, and landing one took a chase. Steinhatchee Reef (20 ft) and the SFMA (35 ft) are public reefs near the port.
What are the coordinates for Super Ledge and The Crack?
Super Ledge is 29 22.817N 83 45.675W. The Crack is 29 23.819N 83 42.722W. Chart layers and waypoints are not for navigation.
Which charters target amberjack here?
Off The Clock Charters runs Captain Shan Roper’s 36 ft Contender with triple 350 Suzuki engines, on gag trips of 100+ miles and on reef and bottom trips. FinSeaker Fishing Charters lists greater amberjack.
Where do I check the season?
Florida FWC sets the rules for state waters, and our Florida regulations page points you there. Federal rules apply in Gulf federal waters, covered in the Regulations section above. Check both before fishing.
