Greater Amberjack in Virginia
Virginia greater amberjack: limits, record, stocking and waters.
- 2 a day (salt)bag
Pick for amberjackPiscifun AlinoX 400 baitcaster with bait clicker25% OFFSale $149.99 Photo of the species, not a Virginia water: Enrico Strocchi, CC BY-SA 2.0
greater amberjack from the Blue Ridge to Tidewater
For greater amberjack, the rules sit in the Marine Resources Commission chapters of the Administrative Code rather than DWR's freshwater table. In tidal water the Administrative Code sets 32-inch minimum; 2 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters).
For now it shows up on no record row, stocking date or water page.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-510-20 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
For the amberjack herePiscifun Saltflow offshore rod25% OFFSale $299.99 How the Administrative Code treats greater amberjack
| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia tidal waters | 32 in minimum | 2 | not stated | 4VAC20-510-20 |
Minimum size from 4VAC20-510-30.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-510-20 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Quoted Virginia rule text for greater amberjack
4VAC20-510-20, Recreational fishery possession limits, season, and vessel allowance.
“A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to possess more than one cobia at any time. When fishing from any recreational vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit for the recreational vessel shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one, except there is a maximum recreational vessel limit of two cobia per recreational vessel per day. The captain or operator of the recreational vessel shall be responsible for any recreational vessel possession limit. Any cobia caught after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately. B.”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-510-20 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Fish kin to greater amberjack on this site
- Atlantic Croaker50 a day (salt)
- Atlantic Spadefish4 a day (salt)
- Black Drum1 a day (salt)
- Black Sea Bass15 a day (salt)
- Bluefish5 a day (salt)
- Blueline Tilefish3 a day (salt)
- Cobia1 a day (salt)
- Golden Tilefish8 a day (salt)
Piscifun tackle that suits Virginia greater amberjack
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How the banks by Greater Amberjack look on a clear day
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Tidewater-to-mountain questions on Greater Amberjack
How many greater amberjack may I keep per day in Virginia?
Per the VMRC chapter as of November 6, 2026: 32-inch minimum; 2 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters).
What is the Virginia record greater amberjack?
DWR's record list carries no row for it.
Which Commonwealth lake or river lists greater amberjack?
The Virginia freshwater pages leave it off for now.
Does the digest print local greater amberjack rules?
No digest exception names it, though water-wide rules still apply.
How often does DWR stock greater amberjack?
No DWR stocking line covers it.
How much is a Virginia license to fish for greater amberjack?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Which fish family are Virginia greater amberjack in?
Not printed in the data used.
Can I fish for greater amberjack on a Virginia Free Fishing Day?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Creel and length rules still apply.
Find greater amberjack near your Virginia base
Every linked water shows DWR access sites.