How to Go Fishing for Jack Crevalle: The Complete Guide

How to Go Fishing for Jack Crevalle: The Complete Guide Reading Time: 8 minutes

Jack Crevalle strike hard and fight dirty, making them one of the grittiest inshore fish. They’re so aggressive, that they often steal your bait. Add to that their sheer abundance, and it’s easy to see why many anglers consider them trash. But Jack Crevalle fishing is far from garbage. 

Photo courtesy of Entice Charters

For one thing, these fish grow to surprising sizes. And they truly know how to throw their weight around. Blistering runs are often followed by sensational surface strikes. One hit, and their relation to Giant Trevally will be unmistakable. 

Are you ready to open your mind – and tackle box? You may just find that this Jack is really an ace…

How to Identify Jack Crevalle

Surprise, surprise! Jack Crevalle (Caranx hippos) are a type of Jack fish, along with species like Horse-eye Jack, Blue Runner, and Bar Jack. As members of the family Carangidae, they’re closely related to Trevally. You can tell just by looking at them! 

Photo courtesy of Artificial Action Guide Service

Whereas Trevally are common throughout the Indo Pacific, though, Jack Crevalle are a staple in warm, inshore waters of the Atlantic. They thrive from the western coast of Africa to America’s eastern seaboard. Top fisheries for them include the Gulf of America and Atlantic Coast – from Florida to the Carolinas. In addition to beaches, inlets, and bays, they also inhabit offshore wrecks and reefs.

On average, Jack Crevalle measure 1–3 feet long and weigh anywhere from 5–20 pounds. But some brutes top 40 or even 50 pounds on rare occasions. The IGFA all-tackle record is an impressive 66 pounds, 2 ounces! While you aren’t likely to hook one quite so big, whatever size the fish you catch will fight just as hard.

Similar Species to Jack Crevalle

Beware, though, in the south Atlantic, you may reel in a couple of jokers that look like Jack Crevalle: Permit and Pompano. All three have silver and yellow coloring, forked tails, blunt noses, and pointed fins. And all are great sport fish. Talk about a full house! 

Photo courtesy of Mike Conner

Of course, it’s always good to know exactly what hand you’ve been dealt. Luckily, Jack Crevalle sport a couple of telltale clues:

• Body shape. Jack Crevalle have elongated bodies, whereas Permit and Pompano are both short and stout. 
• Pectoral fins. Jack Crevalle have long, sickle-shaped side fins. On Permit and Pompano, these fins are short and triangular.
• Beauty mark. If nothing else, you’re sure to see the single black spot dotting every Jack Crevalle’s cheek. Permit and Pompano have no markings.

Now that we’ve put names to all the faces on these cards, let’s shuffle up and deal!

Best Jack Crevalle Fishing Spots

From Lowcountry to the Caribbean, you can expect good fishing for Jack Crevalle. But catching one doesn’t depend entirely on the luck of the draw. Some hotspots turn up the heat more than others! That said, here are six places to go all-in.

Florida

Both Florida coasts offer some of the best Jack Crevalle fishing you can find. On the Atlantic side, hotspots include Jupiter and Sebastian, while Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Panhandle see huge schools of Jacks cruising the Gulf coast between spring and fall.

It’s no surprise, then, that the best time to fish for these brutes in Florida is during spring and summer. This is when bait fish migrations bring them inshore in droves. However, fall can yield exceptionally clear water in some areas – as well as the annual mullet run that sees Jacks right on their heels – making for incredible fishing through most of the year. 

There’s no closed season or size limit for Jacks in Florida, just a daily bag limit of two fish or 100 pounds per angler (whichever is more).

Louisiana

Louisiana‘s marshes may be legendary for tailing Redfish, but they’re equally productive for Jack Crevalle. The Mississippi River Delta creates the perfect environment for bait fish, which in turn attracts massive schools of Jacks. Anglers here often encounter 30–40 lb bruisers smashing topwater lures meant for Redfish and Speckled Trout. Just imagine the lucky strike you might have while actually trying to fish for them!

Peak season here again runs from late spring through early fall. There’s no size or bag limit for Jack Crevalle in Louisiana. 

Texas

Texas offers a mix of inshore and offshore opportunities, but it’s especially convenient for shore fishing. Galveston Bay, Port Aransas, and South Padre Island all host large schools of Jacks during summer and early fall, when these fish push bait right up to the beach, making them accessible to surf anglers.

Texas has no bag or size limit for Jacks, leaving you free to target them year-round. 

The Carolinas

Both North and South Carolina boast excellent Jack Crevalle fishing. Anglers along the Outer Banks of North Carolina often encounter massive schools blitzing through bait fish just off the beaches, where they’re notorious for their sudden topwater feeding frenzies and explosive surface action. Charleston, SC, is another hotspot where fish congregate in tidal creeks, inlets, and nearshore wrecks.

Jack Crevalle are most active here from late spring through early fall, when warm currents bring schools close to shore. Recreational regulations in both states are minimal, with no bag or size limits on Jacks in North or South Carolina.

Caribbean Islands

From the Bahamas to Puerto Rico, Jack Crevalle are a common sight along reefs, flats, and coastal drop-offs. These famously gin-clear waters offer a front-row seat to the action as Jacks smash through schools of bait fish. Fly anglers in particular will revel in the sight casting opportunities here.

Fishing for Jack Crevalle is productive in Caribbean waters year-round, with noticeable peaks in spring and fall. Jacks aren’t typically highly regulated, but the rules vary depending on the island, so do your due diligence. 

Mexico

After all the places we’ve listed, it should come as no surprise that Mexico is another prime destination for Jack Crevalle. In fact, there are solid fisheries on both its Gulf and Pacific coasts. On the Gulf side, hotspots like Veracruz and Campeche see big schools of Jacks moving inshore during bait fish runs. In the Pacific, meanwhile, areas like Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas see their own piece of the action.

As in other places, those warmer months from spring through summer mark peak season. Regulations vary by region, but these are generally minimal for Jack Crevalle, making them an accessible sport fish across the country. It’s worth getting familiar with the country’s point-based possession limits before you go, though, or simply hire a local guide.

How to Fish for Jack Crevalle

Feeling lucky? Then get ready to place your bets – and baits – on the water. You can catch Jack Crevalle using a variety of methods. However, most anglers would probably say the best way to catch Jack Crevalle is by fishing for other fish!

Photo courtesy of Shallow Action Fishing Charters

JCs are pack hunters, often moving in schools near the surface. When you see birds diving and water erupting with activity, there’s a good chance Jacks are on the hunt. The most popular method is to cast large lures into feeding frenzies. Heavy spinning gear lets you throw poppers, stickbaits, or spoons into the chaos. Retrieve them quickly and erratically – Jacks love speed and aggression.

Since these fish feed near the surface, some anglers enjoy topwater popping for them. Cast poppers into the middle of a feeding school and deliver a quick “pop-pop-pause” retrieve. The splash and pause often spark a violent strike. Be sure to work the popper aggressively.

For even more topwater action, try fly fishing. This will be a thrilling experience in shallow flats, especially when the water is clear enough for sight fishing. Use large bait fish patterns and make fast, steady strips. And be ready for blistering runs once a fish takes your fly!

Live bait fishing also has its place. Anglers cast live mullet, menhaden, or pinfish when fishing near inlets and reefs. Use a free-line setup or a light weight to get your bait into the strike zone.

Farther from shore, you can target Jack Crevalle by trolling with diving plugs or large spoons. This helps you to cover more water and entice bigger Jacks that roam the wrecks and reefs.

Whatever your method of choice, come prepared for a fight! Jack Crevalle make deep, powerful runs. They’re known to be tenacious, so if you hook a big one, expect a long battle. 

Jack Crevalle Fishing Gear & Bait

Photo courtesy of Crossroads Charter Fishing

These wild cards will give you a run for your money, so pack some sturdy gear. We recommend a 7–8′ medium-heavy to heavy spinning or baitcasting rod paired with a high-capacity reel. Look for reels with smooth drag systems rated for 20–40 lb line.

Braided line in the 30–50 lb range provides the strength and casting distance needed for Jacks, and you should attach a 2–3′ fluorocarbon leader of 40–60 lb test to withstand their bites.

For live bait, use circle or J-hooks in sizes 3/0–6/0. Single inline hooks are a good choice for artificial setups and make it easier to release the fish unharmed.

The best live bait for Jack Crevalle is mullet, menhaden, and pinfish. But, more often, anglers use a wide variety of artificials, including large poppers, stickbaits, surface walkers, bucktail jigs, and metal spoons. Opt for natural bait fish colors like blue and chartreuse. With time, you’ll zero in on your weapon of choice, which may vary based on conditions that day. Just remember to work your lures fast and erratically – slow retrieves rarely work on these fish.

When to Fish for Jack Crevalle

In warm enough climates, Jack Crevalle stay present year-round. You’ll typically see large schools of them hunting close to shore from spring through fall, making this the most convenient time to fish for them. 

Jack Crevalle Fishing FAQs 

Jack Crevalle don’t generally make good table fare. Their flesh is dark, oily, and has a strong flavor that many people find unappealing. This is why most sport anglers practice catch and release. But some people in coastal communities do eat them when prepared fresh, usually smoked or made into fish cakes.

Florida is arguably the best place to catch Jack Crevalle, given their abundance on both coasts. You can tap into excellent fishing throughout the Gulf of America, as well as the Caribbean further south. For true giants – and a true adventure – West Africa may be your destination of choice, as its home to the world’s biggest Jack Crevalle.

As aggressive feeders, Jack Crevalle are not hard to hook. But landing them is another story altogether. These fish are strong and put up a relentless fight. There’s no question why they’re considered one of the hardest-fighting inshore species around.

Large topwater poppers are a favorite because they mimic fleeing bait fish and trigger explosive strikes. Metal spoons, stickbaits, and surface walkers also work well. The key is a swift retrieval, as Jacks chase fast-moving baits that flail like panicked prey.

Jack Crevalle: One Fisherman’s Trash…

Photo courtesy of Galveston Fish Commander

Fishing for Jack Crevalle is hardly a gamble, given that they’re abundant, available year-round, and loosely regulated. What’s more, their topwater explosions and ride-or-die stamina trump most other inshore fish. 

So don’t overlook them next time you’re cruising the bay. This “trash” for other anglers could be your next treasure. Hooking one will certainly make you feel like you’ve hit the Jackpot!

Have you ever landed a Jack Crevalle? Did you target it deliberately, or did it steal your bait? Let us know all your stories in the comments below!

The post How to Go Fishing for Jack Crevalle: The Complete Guide appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

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