Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Also called Almaco.
How to tell it
Deep body, dramatically tall and curved front dorsal lobe, darker overall than an amberjack.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called almaco jack, and what gives it away.
- Greater amberjack: Slimmer, lower dorsal lobe, stronger amber stripe. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limit | 20-fish reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic)Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf)Federal rule (Gulf federal waters) | No size limit | Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day) | Open year-roundNOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | No size limit | 20 per person in reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | No size limit | No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate) | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | No size limit | 20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (Gulf federal waters) | No size limit | Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day) | Open year-roundNOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 52 lb 14 oz | 2021 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 35.56 lb | 2016 · Destin | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 27 lb 8 oz | 2024 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 50.62 lb | 2005 · South Pass Blk. 62 | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 35 lb 2.4 oz | 2018 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 60 lb 8 oz | 2025 · Off Hatteras | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Texas | 50.3 lb | 1996 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
Lives on the same deep structure as amberjack; vertical jigs and live baits over wrecks.
On the table
Very good — better than its reputation.
In the app
Point the camera at an almaco jack and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about almaco jack
How many almaco jack can you keep?
Alabama: 20-fish reef fish aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; Florida (Gulf): Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day); Georgia: 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; Louisiana: 20 per person in reef fish aggregate; Mississippi: No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate); North Carolina: 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; South Carolina: 20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species; and more in the table above.
How do you tell almaco jack from greater amberjack?
Almaco Jack: Deep body, dramatically tall and curved front dorsal lobe, darker overall than an amberjack. Greater amberjack: slimmer, lower dorsal lobe, stronger amber stripe.
How do you catch almaco jack?
Lives on the same deep structure as amberjack; vertical jigs and live baits over wrecks. Methods: jigging, live bait, bottom. Baits: cigar minnow, pinfish, sardine. Lures: metal jig, bucktail.
What is the record almaco jack?
60 lb 8 oz in North Carolina (2025), Off Hatteras. Other states’ records are in the table.