Most of the headboats do winter trips for vermillion snapper off wrecks and reefs. Not being interested in paying $80-100 to catch perch-sized fish on tiny strips of squid, I was thinking of the best way to increase my chances of getting on something substantial such as grouper and amberjack.

How effective is dropping a large (12-16 oz) diamond jig on the snapper grounds for amberjack and grouper? Is there an alternative approach that would work better? In the past I've livelined the grunts that I catch on the squid, but they're not always around.

probably work, just make sure the hooks and split rings are upgraded. once am AJ breaks off, the rest of them scatter. weird, but seen it happen a few times.

What do you mean by "upgraded"?

Anyway, is there a better strategy that you'd recommend for amberjack and/or grouper while fishing snapper grounds from a party boat?

Big Snapper Slappers will catch AJ's as well... but nothing beats a big live bait for those ugly beasts...

Yes, big diamond jigs will work, 10 oz should be plenty, though.
if live baiting use HUGE baits (like 3#/16") otherwise the
snappers will get it. ever caught a 30# red snapper on a 12" piggy perch?
used to be an accomplishment, now they're eveywhere & thick like roaches

what lite-liner said.

AJ also have a reputation for liking stick jigs like williamson benthos jigs. The come with appropriate hardware.

what skeeter ronnie means on AJ the diamond jigs comes with split rings and treble hooks that are not strong enough to hold AJ. My first jig drop for AJ was with an 8 ounce diamond and it hit was and came off just as quick. Reeled up and the split ring and hook were gone because the split ring pulled apart. Choices 1) buy 300 pound splint rings and owner st66 trebles or comparable hook or 2) buy assist hooks for the diamond. Either way the factory stuff needs to come off. Also I agree with Ronnie for some reason as long as AJ hooked are pulled into the boat many can be caught, but when one gets loose the fishing is over for them in that spot for a while.

Thanks Oldtrackster (and all) for the feedback.

What length/weight/material leaders have worked best for you while jigging for amberjack?

You haven't seen the size of beeliners some of these boats catch.

We just returned from a trip like you described, 2 of us fished the big baits and yes we got the AJ's, I have never tried the jigs for them. I always fish big baits on these trips and have done very well, can't wait to go on another.

I love me some beeliners. They're almost as good as crappie or bluegill...almost!

Just accept it's a party boat trip and go with it, you know how it will be pretty much. I have never been on a bad one or not had a good time. I sure am looking forward to the next one too.

You want your best chance at a big AJ or grouper...catch one vermillion snapper, take it off and put it on a 9/0 Owner circle hook on 300-400lb mono leader and drop it back down. You won't find a better bait. Best bet is to bridle them but short of having the needed gear for that just tail hook em and send it back down live. ...oh and hold on tight, there are huge grouper in those waters right now.

Good luck!

Just don't let a game warden see you though. Very illegal

true, i was on a charter, asked them for tips, they told me to hook a vermillion on and hold on!, caught an aj first drop, went on a different charted and got scolded and was explained how the vermillion was a game fish.

these were caught on jigs