Amberjack and samsonfish
Amberjack, highfin amberjack and samsonfish in South East Queensland: minimum 50 cm, 2 per person in total across amberjack and samsonfish, no closed season. Rules checked 8 Oct 2026. Best months SEQ-wide: July to November.
Updated
Pictured: greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili. Names this guide covers: amberjack, AJ, samson, samsonfish and highfin amberjack.
| Species pictured | Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) |
|---|---|
| Names covered | amberjack, AJ, samson, samsonfish, highfin amberjack |
| Limits shown for | Amberjack, highfin amberjack and samsonfish |
| Minimum size | 50 cm |
| Bag (possession) limit | 2 per person in total across amberjack and samsonfish |
| Closed season in SEQ | None |
| Best months (SEQ-wide) | Jul–Nov |
| Also in season | Dec–Jun |
| Best tide | No clear tide preference |
| Best light | Daytime |
| Habitats | Offshore reefs |
| Access | Mostly a boat fishery |
Amberjack and samsonfish size and bag limit in QLD
Amberjack, highfin amberjack and samsonfish: min 50 cm each, 2 in total of amberjack and samsonfish. No closed season.
Checked 8 Oct 2026 against the Queensland Government pages: size and possession limits and closed seasons.
Limits are possession limits: they count everything you hold, including any at home in the freezer. In yellow (conservation park) zones: max 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per angler. Green zones: no fishing. All QLD fishing rules
When to catch amberjack and samsonfish in South East Queensland
October 2026: Amberjack and samsonfish are in their peak season across South East Queensland.
| Where | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEQ-wide | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: peak season | August: peak season | September: peak season | October: peak season | November: peak season | December: in season |
- peak season
- in season
- off season
- closed season for at least part of the month
Tide: Not tide-driven.
Time of day: Daytime.
Weather: not fussy about wind; rain makes little difference.
Seasons partly come from Coastwatch report mentions, not catch numbers.
| Area | How common | Best | Also in season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Sunshine Coast | Main area | Jul–Nov | Dec–Jun |
| Offshore Moreton | Also caught | Jul–Nov | Dec–Jun |
| Offshore Gold Coast | Main area | Jul–Nov | Dec–Jun |
Not in our guide for Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Pumicestone Passage & Bribie, Northern Moreton Bay, Western Moreton Bay, Brisbane River, Southern Moreton Bay, Moreton Island, Straddie & Jumpinpin and Gold Coast.
Where to catch amberjack and samsonfish in SEQ
Deep reefs and drop-offs, 40-120 m: the Hards and Barwon Banks, halfway to the Banks and Caloundra Wide, Double Island Point grounds, the Moreton offshore grounds, Gold Coast 42s and 50s.
Amberjack and samsonfish are mostly a boat fishery in South East Queensland.
Catch Signal forecast areas that rate amberjack and samsonfish: Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra, Offshore: Cape Moreton & Point Lookout, Offshore: Gold Coast.
| Spot | Area | Tide times |
|---|---|---|
| Mudjimba (Old Woman) Island | Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra | Mooloolaba |
| Narrowneck Reef | Offshore: Gold Coast | Gold Coast Seaway |
| Hutchison Shoal | Offshore: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout | Brisbane Bar |
| Gneering Shoals | Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra | Mooloolaba |
| South Stradbroke Artificial Reef | Offshore: Gold Coast | Gold Coast Seaway |
| Smith Rock | Offshore: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout | Brisbane Bar |
| Arkwright Shoal | Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra | Mooloolaba |
| Brennan Shoal | Offshore: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout | Brisbane Bar |
Picked because the water each spot reaches suits amberjack and samsonfish (our habitat match), not from catch reports. Each spot links to its place on the area page; tide times are for the place our forecast reads for that spot.
How to catch amberjack and samsonfish: best baits, lures and rig
Baits
- Big live baits
- Squid and fish fillets on the bottom
Lures
- Knife and slow-pitch jigs
- Octopus jigs
Amberjack and samsonfish rig
As for kingfish: heavy jig or live-bait gear, 60-100 lb leader.
Good to know about amberjack and samsonfish
Reported all year on the Sunshine Coast banks; strongest Jul-Nov. Deep-caught fish suffer barotrauma: use a release weight if not keeping.
Open in the forecast
See amberjack and samsonfish in the Catch Signal app: seasons for the area you fish, closed-season warnings and the best days this week.
Sources
- Queensland Government: size and possession limits for tidal waters (last updated 25 Sep 2026; checked 8 Oct 2026)
- Queensland Government fish species guide (entries updated Mar-May 2026)
- Coastwatch weekly reports (seasons from report mentions, not catch numbers; we use the facts only)
Rules are short, dated summaries: always check the official pages before you keep a fish. Species notes are in our own words from the sources listed.