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Almaco Jack

ALMACO JACK

 

Almaco Jack a big game pelagic frequently captured and released from 31 Bertram JOKER in the prolific waters of Pacific Panama

Almaco Jack is a highly prized big game fish for it’s most powerful fighting ability and flavor.

Here’s some big ones 

Big Almaco Jack light up the smiles for happy fishermen. Fishing with Coiba Adventure is an exciting adventure. Fishermen catch a wide variety of big fish and let go free again

No need to kill for a thrill. Almaco Jack are an adrenaline rush of power and and strength. Holding a fish like this and letting it go free is the greatest!

They look just like Amberjacks, almost. The obvious difference is the second dorsal fin is more than twice as tall as the leading dorsal fin.

 Almaco Jacks are good to eat, especially raw. 

Almaco makes top quality sashimi

 

Almaco Jacks are more rare than Amberjack which look similar. Almaco unlike Amberjack is delicious to eat. Coupled with power fight, Almaco Jack is great fish to catch and eat

Highly regarded by Japanese Sushi Chefs, they would cry to see the way we toss Almaco Jack back

Almaco’s are super powerful

Almaco Jack thrive in the Pacific waters of Panama. Fishing for Almaco Jacks with Captain Tom of Coiba Adventure leads to success. Catch and Release Big Game Fish marlinpanama.com

Almaco Jack take the bait and scream line off the reel, pulling like a horse. Exciting catch and release super fish.

Almaco Jacks aggregate on Hannibal Bank

Many Almaco Jacks roam the waters surrounding islands fished with Captain Tom from Coiba Adventure. Target Almaco Jacks with captain Tom and catch this super strong fish

Another trophy catch for this lady angler. Almaco Jack, one of twenty seven species she caught fishing JOKER

Some twice this size have been caught here

Almaco Jack caught while family fishing with Captain Tom of Coiba Adventure Sportfishing,In the pristine waters surrounding Isla Coiba in Panama

Almaco Jack posing with young Capt. Tom, Daughter Jessica, Grandson Nathen, Girlfriend Tyra and Son in Law Ed!

Sushi Time

 

Almaco Jack in Panama: Pelagic Powerhouses of the Pacific

Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana), with their amber glow and forehead bump, are relentless fighters that can tip the scales at 100+ lbs. Native to Panama’s eastern Pacific, they’re a top target for live-bait enthusiasts—anglers like us have hooked beasts over 40 lbs (and a few over 100) on live black skipjack. They pull like horses, making every catch unforgettable around Isla Coiba and beyond.

Migration, Territory, and Habits

  • Pelagic Migration: These open-water nomads follow bait schools seasonally, moving north from Panama in summer (up to hundreds of miles) along warm currents. Peak in Coiba during dry season (December-April).
  • Territory: Not fixed; juveniles school near reefs, while big adults roam solo or in pairs over 5-10 mile areas around seamounts or wrecks.
  • Breeding: Spawn offshore May-September in 100-300 foot depths; larvae drift to inshore nurseries like Coiba’s mangroves.
  • Water Temp and Depths: Thrive in 68-86°F (best 72-82°F); found from 16 feet shallow to 525 feet deep, often 100-300 feet.

Key Differences from Greater Amberjack

  • Smaller max size (5 feet, 130 lbs) vs. 6 feet, 200 lbs; more golden color and pronounced head bump vs. olive-green with eye stripe.
  • Pacific-native and pelagic vs. Atlantic/reef-focused; Almaco fight with blistering speed (up to 30 mph bursts) and deep runs, taste milder and flakier.

Fishing Tips for Panama Anglers

  • Techniques: Drift live black skipjack over structure for big ones—they strike hard and bulldog down with horse-like power, fights lasting 20-40 minutes.
  • Hotspots: Coiba’s drop-offs or Hannibal Bank in 200-400 feet; use 50-80 lb gear.
  • Why Chase Them?: Trophy potential and premium meat—highly valued in Japan as “kampachi” sashimi, where its firm, buttery flesh commands top prices (up to $20-30/lb in markets). Grill, sear, or slice raw for sushi-grade eats. Practice catch-and-release for giants to sustain stocks.

Almaco Jacks bring raw power to Panama’s blue waters—book a charter and battle your own horse! Contact Coiba Adventure marlinpanama.com for guided trips.