The greater amberjack is one of the toughest fighters in the Gulf of Mexico. Seasoned anglers call these fish "belly bruisers" because after battling two or three of these beasts, the rod butt will leave you looking like you just went twelve rounds in the boxing ring.
Frequently found on offshore wrecks, artificial reefs and over open-ocean springs, amberjack are a favorite target of charter boat captains who want to show their clients a lot of heart-pumping action. But fishermen only have a few more days to catch these monsters before the season is shut down for several months.
In the fall of 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service implemented a recreational quota of 1.368 million pounds for greater amberjack caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal officials say that recreational landings data indicate the quota has been met, and as a result, the fishery will shut down at 12:01 a.m., Oct. 24, 2009.
The recreational take of greater amberjack in federal will remain closed through Dec. 31, 2009. |
