Almaco Jack
Identification
Almaco jack, also called longfin amberjack, are a sleek, fast member of the jack family that frequent OBX offshore waters. They typically run 10 to 30 pounds, with larger fish pushing 40+ pounds. Almaco jacks have a more elongated, less deep body than greater amberjack, with a brassy to dark blue-green back and silver to lavender sides. The key identifier is the long second dorsal fin — the first few rays of the second dorsal are dramatically elongated, nearly as long as the fin base itself. This elongated dorsal gives the almaco jack a distinctive profile compared to greater or lesser amberjack.
Habitat and Behavior
Almaco jack are an offshore pelagic species that associate with floating structure, Sargassum weed lines, and offshore wrecks and reefs. Off the Outer Banks, they are commonly found 25-50 miles offshore around Gulf Stream temperature breaks, weed lines, and floating debris. They are less structure-bound than greater amberjack but still congregate around wrecks and live bottom. Almaco jacks are fast, aggressive predators that feed on small baitfish, squid, and pelagic crustaceans. They often travel in small schools and are frequently encountered while trolling or jigging for other pelagics like tuna and mahi.
Fishing Techniques
Almaco jack are most often caught as a bonus species while targeting other offshore fish, but they can be specifically targeted. Vertical jigging over wrecks and reefs in 80-200 feet of water produces almaco jacks alongside greater amberjack and African pompano. Use 80-150g knife jigs with a fast, erratic retrieve. Live bait fishing with small live minnows or squid strips on a dropper loop rig also works well around floating structure. When fishing weed lines in the Gulf Stream, sight casting small jigs and live baits to fish visible under Sargassum mats produces almaco jacks alongside mahi and tripletail.
Baits and Lures
For vertical jigging, 80-150g knife jigs in blue/silver, pink, and chartreuse patterns are effective for almaco jacks. Smaller jigs tend to outproduce larger ones since almaco jack have smaller mouths than greater amberjack. Live cigar minnows, sardines, and small squid strips fished on 5/0-7/0 circle hooks with 40-60 lb fluorocarbon leader work for live bait presentations. Small epoxy jigs and soft plastic swimbaits in pearl or silver are good for sight casting around floating structure. Almaco jacks are not picky feeders — if you find them, they will usually eat.
Best Times and Locations on the OBX
Almaco jack are a warm-water species that appears off the Outer Banks from May through October, coinciding with Gulf Stream proximity and warm blue water pushing inshore. They are most commonly encountered 25-50 miles offshore from Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet. Look for them around the same wrecks and reefs that hold greater amberjack — the offshore wrecks off Hatteras, the Box Ships, and deep-water artificial reefs. Weed lines and floating debris in the Gulf Stream (the 280-380 line area off Hatteras) are prime spots for sight casting to almaco jacks. Mid-summer through early fall is the most consistent window.
Regulations
Almaco jack are part of the amberjack complex managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. In federal waters, the recreational amberjack aggregate limit applies — check current SAFMC regulations for the specific bag limit and minimum size, as these have changed in recent years. Almaco jack have been included in the greater amberjack management measures. There is no separate state creel limit for almaco jack in North Carolina state waters. Always verify current regulations with SAFMC and NCDFW before heading out, as amberjack rules are subject to frequent changes.