As a general rule with amberjack, the bigger the bait, the bigger the amberjack. I've never heard of crabs for amberjack. Maybe, but crabs aren't common way off shore. I do know they will eat bermuda chubs, the bigger the better.
Crabman is gone, as is the Adventurer, the last I heard (and saw). It is however, still a bait house

We used a sabiki rig to catch Hard Tails and Cigar minnows in FL and kept them alive in a bait tank we tore the amberjack up and black fin tuna. we were on a charter boat though not a party boat. Like banderapass1 get you the 5 gallon bucket with the bubble machine and hope the bait live.

crabs do work for jacks..try them. I/we caught lots..
I have even had crabs take hold of my line while reeling in.. 60 and 150 miles out on wrecks,rigs and reefs..
I just called and checked ..crabman is still there..they are a few miles down from where they were..the boat ADVENTURER is gone now though...361-758-6900 for live and dead baits.
Yes BLUERUNNERS are great live baits for jacks..but good luck using them on a party boat..And yes..BIGGER the bait for jacks is best..but how are you going to carry ALIVE --MANY --ALOT-- of live -BIG LIVE- fish for bait on a party boat and KEEP them alive
without a very large live well...? The Scat cat will not alow you to have a large bait tank with you when you board..I have been there and tried to do that..This why I say a 5 gallon container contained bait tank as I described..use whatever live bait you want and desire..you will be limited to contained size for space on board the boat and you keeping up with it..This is why I say again..small baits you will have more bait..large bait you will have less..it is your trip..you do it the way you want.. I'm just trying to help. I did what you are wanting to do several times..And I do know now what to take and not what to take that they will not let me have on board on the Tuna trips and the all night trips as well..
I/We do not use live/fresh or frozen baits any longer for jacks...
we have been using vertical Butterfly jigs..in glow colors..silver gold..pink and white is good or lt blue and white..These are long 6" to 8" slab type baits with the hook on a leader hanging separate from the main body..drop them down and burn them up and drop them back down..repeat then repeat..and try dropping to bottom,reel up a few reel turns and raise you rod up and down.the jacks will SLAM this bait hard..Check out bass pro shops and cabelas..they have these baits in stock..good luck!

b-liners are --Vermillion Snapper
they are bright red to pinkish color with a fine yellow line down their sides..A pretty snapper that eats great!

Wow thanks for so much info banderapass1 I really appreciate it! I think I'm going to pick up that 5 gal bucket your talking about and maybe some of those jigs too!

If you are going for big AJ's , make sure your tackle is
up to par. There is a reason they call them " Rig Mules ".

Mo

I have always wondered if Black Salties would work for AJs. I have heard Black Salties live well in an aerated bait bucket. I have never tried to keep any salt water bait fish alive in aerated bait buckets for long periods of time (like going off shore). I have always had better luck keeping blue runners alive by leaving the live wells on instead of recirculate so they are always getting fresh water.

Hardtails = AJ