 AMBERJACK? YELOWTAIL? —Seriola species —What are the differences? — by Bryan Rapson and Bruce Mann
THERE has been much confusion lately over the correct identification of fish species from the genus Seriola, more commonly known as the amberjack or yellowtail, and with good reason too.
We — Bryan Rapson and Bruce Mann — have spent a lot of time on the ocean lately, targeting this hard-fighting champion of the sea and have had much deliberation between us on the correct identification of the various species of Seriola we have been catching. We have also had many requests recently to try and explain the differences between the fish of this genus found in South African waters. For these reasons we thought it would be useful to give a clearer description of how to identify these fish correctly.
The recent advent, or should we rather say “reinvention” of the vertical jig system — believe it or not, South Africa has had this vertical jigging technology for the past 100 years, maybe without the new improved braided lines, but still here nevertheless — has opened corridors for anglers to target and land the supremely powerful amberjack.
The power of these fish is nearly impossible to describe. After setting the hook it just about rips the rod out of your hand and then dives for the nearest and ugliest reef it can find. This fish is a tough street fighter and is willing to risk damaging itself on the sharp reefs when trying to cut off your leader line. The angler’s only defence is to hold on to the rod and reel with all his might.
Substandard equipment is easily dealt with at this stage, and any weak point will turn the moment into instant disaster. If you do manage to get the advantage and overcome its power surge, the battle to the top becomes the next stage in the fight. Even without the protection of the reef, these fish give a spirited account of themselves all the way to the end.
Okay, so now you have overcome your fine opponent and hopefully its spirit has convinced you to photograph and release it, but what is it?
There are three main species of Seriola in our waters, maybe four, but personally we have never seen Seriola fasciata, although we have been told that they may occur in our waters. The three main species we would like to deal with in this article are therefore Seriola dumerili, S. rivoliana and S. lalandi, as these fish are commonly found and have some distinct and some not so distinct features.
Read the full story in the January/February 2009 issue of SKI-BOAT.
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