Federal rule (Gulf federal waters) · Texas lists none of its own
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Greater amberjackEye stripe runs into the first dorsal. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Smallest amberjack; eye stripe ends before the dorsal, big eye. More on the lesser amberjack page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Lesser amberjack in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for lesser amberjack in Texas?
14-22 in fork length slot. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many lesser amberjack can you keep in Texas?
5-fish jacks aggregate (with banded rudderfish). Aggregate: jacks aggregate.
When is lesser amberjack season in Texas?
Open year-round.
How current is this Texas lesser amberjack rule?
Source: NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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