Tag Recapture-GFR2495 Greater Amberjack Named Grace

GFR2495-Greater-Amberjack-Recovery

The Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) named “Grace” (Tag ID: GFR2495) was originally tagged & released by lady angler Grace David on February 4th, 2016 while fishing with Captain Bobby Mekins and mate Keith Delgado aboard the charter boat Therapy IV, out of Haulover Park Marina, Florida.  The Amberjack was measured to be 27 inches (68.58 cm) total length.

Angler Larry Evans recaptured the Greater Amberjack 14 days later on February 17th, 2016 while fishing with Captain Jamie Owens and mate Miles aboard the Charter boat Mucho K out of Haulover Park Marina, Florida.  During that time period, the Amberjack most likely stayed at a consistent water depth around some sort of structure (i.e. rocky reef or wrecks).  The recapture was in the waters off Haulover Beach, approximately 3.58 miles (5.76 km) south of the original tag location.  At the time of recapture, the Amberjack had an estimated length of 28 inches and weight of 16 pounds.

Greater Amberjack have a brownish to bluish/gray dorsal side, and a silvery white ventral side.  They have a pronounced dark amber stripe running from the nose to just in front of the dorsal fin.  The Greater Amberjack can be confused with other fish species (Lesser Amberjack and Almaco Jack), but is distinguished by the number of gill rakers (11-19) and a long anal fin base.  Juvenile Greater Amberjack’s tend to school together, but as the fish grows older the schooling behavior decreases.  Older Greater Amberjacks are primarily solitary.

The Gray FishTag Research program has been able to shatter the expectations for fish recapture rates thanks to the hard-working professional fishermen on the water day in and day out.  Tags are provided free-of-charge to the collaborating professional fishermen, and the tag data is available to the public at www.livetagfeed.com

The Therapy IV charter boat crew will receive some Gray FishTag gear for their tagging efforts.  Tag recovery angler Larry Evans will receive a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses, a Tag & Recovery Certificate, and Gray FishTag gear for reporting the tag recovery.


The tagging and research efforts is made possible by our research centers and sponsors AFTCO, AA Video, American Fishing Wire, FECOP, Mold Craft, Costa Del Mar, CR Primo Fishing Tackle, Shadow Graphics, AquaWorld, Crocodile Bay Resort, Grande Alaska Lodge, Los Sueños Resort & Marina, Marina Pez Vela, The Pisces Group and The Zancudo Lodge.

For more information, please contact the Gray FishTag Research in-house fisheries scientist Travis Moore at travis@GrayFishTag.org or 954-675-3896

“Get Involved Today”

The success of the program is made possible by the participation of the hard working fishing professionals and the generous contributions from our partners and donors. Any contribution is tax deductible and will go directly to support our cause and help the growth of the program.

Visit Donations Page