SlotGaugeCheck a catchGreater Amberjack regulations in North Carolina
Jacks · Saltwater · 2026 season
Greater Amberjack size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | May 1 – March 31 | 28 inch minimum | 1 per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi, SAFMC) | May 1 – March 31 | 28 inch minimum | 1 per person per day |
Notes
- Closed the month of April each year.
- Snapper-grouper gear rules: non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait; a dehooking tool and a descending device (16 oz weight, 60 ft line) must be on board; fish must be landed with heads and fins intact.
- Federal rules apply in both state and SAFMC waters; seasons can close early when catch limits are met — check safmc.net/regulations.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Closed April 1 – April 30
- Size
- 28 inches fork length
- Limit
- 1 per person per day
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “It shall be unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 28 inches fork length. ... It shall be unlawful to possess more than one (1) greater amberjack per person per day. ... from April 1 through April 30 each year.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the greater amberjack
Species of fish
The greater amberjack, also known as the allied kingfish, great amberfish, greater yellowtail, jenny lind, sea donkey, purplish amberjack, reef donkey, rock salmon, sailors choice, yellowtail, and yellow trevally, is a species of predatory ray-finned fish in the family Carangidae, the jacks and pompanos. It is found in temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas around the world. It is a popular quarry species for recreational fisheries and is important in commercial fisheries. It is the largest species in the family Carangidae.
Read more about Greater amberjack on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Greater Amberjack in North Carolina?
28 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Greater Amberjack can you keep per day in North Carolina?
1 per person per day.
When is Greater Amberjack season in North Carolina?
May 1 – March 31.
Is my Greater Amberjack a keeper today?
A greater amberjack is a keeper today if it measures at least 28 inches, with a daily limit of 1.