Texas Fish & Game

The National News of Texas

January 29, 2024

The Always Under-appreciated Amberjack

What fish gets dissed by anglers on a regular basis, and called “trash” even though they tug so hard they can yank your shoulders out of their sockets? The amberjack, of course.  Also called AJs, jacks, […]
December 27, 2023

Gulf Council Makes Move On Amberjacks

NOAA Fisheries is implementing an emergency regulation to reduce the commercial harvest rate of Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) greater amberjack. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) requested NOAA Fisheries take emergency action while a […]
July 7, 2022

Get Paid To Catch Amberjack

Fishermen who haul in greater amberjack may also get an unexpected $250 and an opportunity to contribute to the Greater Amberjack Count. The Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack recreational fishing season will reopen later this year […]
September 29, 2021

Amberjack: Hold on Tight!

Amberjack have a well-deserved reputation for pulling like your line was attacked to a Mack truck, and earn the nickname “reef donkeys.” In fact, few fish fight as hard as jacks. They also have a less-than-stellar […]
April 14, 2021

All Jacked Up: Jigging for Amberjack

What’s one of the most determined fighters you’ll encounter around reefs and wrecks? Few people would argue that the amberjack can be topped for sheer pound-for-pound pulling power. Added bonus: they usually are quite willing to […]
October 8, 2019

5 Tips for Catching Amberjacks

Amberjacks may not be the best tasting fish in the world, but you’ll have trouble convincing anyone who’s tussled with a reef donkey that this species isn’t among the hardest-fighting in the sea. Want to set […]
June 29, 2016

Amber Jacked

Bring Texas-Sized Tackle When You Enter the Realm of the Reef Donkey Story by John N. Felsher Often compared to winching an anvil up through a football field of water, battling amberjack can challenge just about […]
May 24, 2016

Offshore Oasis (TFG Throwback – 1995)

Offshore grasslines bring out a smorgasbord of surface fishing action by Larry Bozka You’d have thought someone had plugged the fish’s tail into a 220 socket. The bull dorado stopped, angrily puffed its gills and, anticipating […]