Yellowtail Amberjack
Yellowtail amberjack (Seriola lalandi) reach Argentine waters as seasonal migrants — adults push into the southwest Atlantic during the southern summer, January through April.
They're a pelagic, fast-moving species that draws serious interest from offshore and coastal big-game anglers wherever they show up.
In Argentina they're caught in relatively small numbers compared to their core range, but their size and raw pulling power make any encounter memorable.
Scientific Name: Seriola lalandi
Also known as Pez limón, Yellowtail kingfish
- Elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a distinctive yellow stripe running from eye to tail, and a bright yellow caudal fin that gives the species its name.
- Back is blue-green to olive; flanks are silver-white; the yellow lateral stripe is the clearest field mark separating it from other jacks.
- A dark diagonal band runs from the snout through the eye to the first dorsal fin — visible on fresh fish.
- Typical fish run 5–15 kg; larger individuals exceeding 20 kg are possible in productive years.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to subtropical waters circumglobally; in the southwest Atlantic, adults migrate seasonally into Argentine waters rather than residing year-round.
- A benthopelagic species recorded from near the surface down to several hundred meters; most fishing encounters happen in the upper water column.
- Prefers water temperatures roughly in the 18–24°C range, which in Argentina aligns with the warmest summer months along the Buenos Aires coast and beyond.
- Associated with floating structure — kelp paddies, debris lines — as well as rocky bottom and reef areas offshore.
Key Locations
- Southwest Atlantic coastal and offshore waters off Buenos Aires province — the primary zone where seasonal migrants are recorded.
- Offshore banks and rocky structure along the Argentine continental shelf edge, where warm currents push fish south in summer.
Specific Spots
- Floating debris lines and kelp paddies concentrate fish near the surface; work the edges where baitfish stack up.
- Rocky reefs and any hard bottom structure offshore hold fish that have moved off the surface — vertical jigging works well here.
- Current edges and temperature breaks in open water are worth targeting when fish are in a pelagic, roaming mode.
Yellowtail Amberjack FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Yellowtail Amberjack?
Heavy metal jigs (80–200g) worked vertically over structure are the go-to for fish holding near bottom, knife-style and butterfly jigs both produce. Large surface poppers and stickbaits (15–25 cm) draw explosive surface strikes when fish are chasing baitfish near the top; work them fast with an erratic cadence.
When is the best time to fish for Yellowtail Amberjack?
Summer (January–April): peak season as warm water brings migrating adults into Argentine waters, the primary fishing window. Late autumn through winter (May–August): fish largely absent from Argentine waters as temperatures drop below their preferred range.
How do you catch Yellowtail Amberjack?
In Argentina, yellowtail amberjack are caught mainly by offshore boat anglers targeting pelagic species during the January–April summer window. Vertical jigging over structure and surface lure fishing along debris lines and current edges are the most productive approaches.
What do Yellowtail Amberjack eat?
In Argentine waters, diet studies show yellowtail amberjack feed heavily on smaller fish and squid, match this with large swimming plugs, metal jigs, or squid-pattern lures in the 100–200g range.
Where do Yellowtail Amberjack live?
Native to subtropical waters circumglobally; in the southwest Atlantic, adults migrate seasonally into Argentine waters rather than residing year-round. A benthopelagic species recorded from near the surface down to several hundred meters; most fishing encounters happen in the upper water column.
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