Nearshore

Jacks

Caranx spp.

Avg. Weight

10.0 lbs

Avg. Length

10+ inches

World Record

66.0 lbs

Found In

11 Destinations

About Jacks

The jack family (Carangidae) includes some of the hardest-fighting fish in the Caribbean — powerful, blunt-headed predators that wage war using sheer brute strength and bulldogging stamina. The Caribbean's primary jack species include Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos), Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus), Bar Jack (Caranx ruber), Blue Runner (Caranx crysos), and the almighty Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana). Found from shallow flats and mangroves to deep reefs and offshore structure, jacks are aggressive feeders that attack lures, flies, and live bait with reckless abandon. Pound for pound, they are among the strongest fighters in the ocean, and a large crevalle jack on light tackle will test any angler's endurance.

Identification & Appearance

Jacks share a common body plan: deep, laterally compressed body, blunt forehead, large eyes, and a deeply forked tail connected to a narrow caudal peduncle (tail wrist) with scutes (bony plates). Crevalle Jacks are silver-gold with a dark spot on the gill cover and pectoral fin. Horse-eye Jacks are silver with larger eyes and yellow tail. Bar Jacks are silver-blue with a distinctive dark bar running from the dorsal fin to the lower tail lobe. Blue Runners are elongated and greenish-blue. Almaco Jacks are amber-brown with a diagonal dark stripe through the eye.

Seasonal Availability

Peak Season Good Fair Off Season

Jan

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Popular Bait & Fishing Methods

Best Techniques

Topwater plugs, poppers, and stickbaits retrieved aggressively on the surface produce explosive strikes from crevalle and horse-eye jacks. Large Yo-Zuri poppers, Shimano Orca, and Heddon Super Spooks worked with loud pops and splashes trigger the aggressive feeding instinct. Vertical jigging with heavy metal jigs (150-300g) on deep reefs and wrecks targets almaco jacks and amberjack. Live bait — pilchards, blue runners, or goggle-eyes — freelined or on a fishfinder rig near reef structure or in passes is deadly for all jack species. Fly anglers use large Deceivers, Crease Flies, and EP baitfish patterns on 9-12 weight rods.

Recommended Tackle

Inshore jacks: medium-heavy spinning rod (7 ft), 4000-5000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader. Large crevalle or horse-eye jacks: heavy spinning or conventional, 40-65 lb braid, 50-80 lb leader. Deep reef jacks (almaco, amberjack): heavy jigging rod, conventional reel, 65-80 lb braid, 80-100 lb leader. Jacks fight hard toward structure — you need the backbone to turn them before they reach the reef and cut you off.

Regulations & Bag Limits

Jack regulations in the Caribbean are generally minimal. Most jurisdictions have no specific size or bag limits for common jack species (crevalle, horse-eye, bar jack, blue runner). Almaco jacks may fall under general reef fish regulations in some areas. Crevalle jacks are not considered good eating by most anglers and are typically released, while bar jacks and almaco jacks have better table quality. In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, check NOAA Caribbean regulations. In the independent Caribbean nations, consult local fisheries rules. Most charter captains practice catch-and-release for jacks unless specifically keeping smaller bar jacks or almaco jacks for the table.

Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.