Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
July 14, 2002
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
Amberjacks give a whole new meaning to tractor pulling contests. Pound for pound and inch for inch, the Greater Amberjack could rightfully claim to be the hardest pulling fish in the ocean. Little tunnies, bonitas and tunas might also win a tug of war. When the naval architects designed the nuclear submarine Seawolf, they used an Amberjack as the prototype. If you have a heart condition, you may want to let your fishing partners do the pumping and winding honors on big Amberjacks. They will exhaust you in a hurry. One of the most physically difficult things this angler has ever attempted was to pull a 59 pounder out of 325 feet of water.
Amberjacks and their little cousin the banded rudder fish, aka lesser amberjack, hang out on nearshore and offshore wrecks in the summer. The bigger fish are offshore and obviously get less fishing pressure. Blue runners are filet mignon to these brawlers. First, locate the fish up in the water column on your bottom machine. Then, do controlled slow drifts over the fish. Your live bait will be eaten.
Minimum tackle is thirty pound class. Fifty is better. Circle hooks are best, as this is normally catch and release. The big AJs have a stronger flavor and are prone to worms. Heavy fluorocarbon leaders and stout swivels are necessary to withstand the heavy pressure. Preset your drags and sharpen your hooks at the dock.
Amberjacks are famous for coming up in the water column with a hooked fish. This presents the prepared angler with an excellent opportunity. Have a Penn 9500 spinner spooled with 40 at the ready. Hook up a runner and drop it overboard. Hold on! Your drag is going to heat up fast.
Targeting AJs is fun. What are you waiting for, come get ya some!!!
Until next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
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