If you’re looking for a fun and challenging fish to catch, look no further than the jack crevalle. These fish are known for their hard-fighting nature, and can provide a lot of excitement when caught on hook and line. In this article, we’ll provide some tips on how to catch these elusive creatures. So read on, and get ready to start reeling in some big jack crevalle!
Where To Find Them?
Jack crevalle are inshore fish that stay close to the beach. They can be found along most of the Florida coast and their numbers seem to increase in Southwest Florida each year. Jack Crevalle are fast swimmers, and they migrate in schools throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
The fishing for jacks is done by sight casting at moving fish that will often hit topwater plugs, such as a topwater walking mullet or a floating popper. Jack Crevalle prefer to stay in the shallows and will often be found feeding in water less than 20 feet deep around docks, bridges, oyster bars and mangroves when the moon phase is full.
When Is The Best Time To Jack Crevalle?
Jack Crevalle fishing can be a little different from jigging for other species because the fish are not just biting at a certain time. They move into and out of areas around structures so being in the right place at the right time is key to catching them.
When looking at the calendar however, there are some periods when they seem to be more active than others. For example, many anglers think that fishing slows down in the winter but that is not always the case.
From December through February, fish are often more active near grass lines, creek channel bends and deep ledges where currents hold baitfish or they can be found suspended over drop-offs. The key to catching these fish during this time is finding them at their cruising depth which can range from 30 to 40 feet.
As water temperatures warm in early spring, inshore species begin moving into shallow flats. Jack Crevalle are often right behind the bait schools and can be caught on topwater plugs, spoons or even small crankbaits if you work the edges of the grass lines and drop-offs that surround the flats.
Normally by early May, most of the jacks are within sight of the flats and will continue to be for the rest of spring. During this time they can often be found around grass lines, creek channel bends or even out deeper on vertical structures like ledges.
Fish them much like you would in winter, mainly using current breaks or areas where there is a change in bottom depth. However, they are often suspended at this time so you may have to fish deeper water near creek channel bends or deep ledges until they slowly begin moving into the shallow flats with the baitfish.
Often during the summer months, inshore fishing can be tough due to extreme heat and lack of breeze. Many anglers make the mistake of fishing deeper water when in reality they should be working the shallow flats during the early morning or evening hours.
How To Catch Jack Crevalle?
Rod
Fishing rods for jack crevalle come in different shapes and sizes. This means that you have the freedom to choose the one that meets your needs and requirements. However, you will appreciate a rod that is versatile as it can be used for other fishing activities.
Here are some of the considerations you need to put in mind when choosing a jack crevalle rod:
Power Of The Rod
You should start by considering the power of the rod. For most freshwater animals, experts recommend using a medium to heavy power fishing rod. This is because they are known for their strength and ability to handle activities that involve challenging targets.
Grip Of The Rod
Another consideration you should put in mind when choosing a fishing rod for jack crevalle is the grip. Make it a point to pick a rod that will provide the right grip so you can hold it comfortably for long. The best material for this purpose is cork as it provides maximum comfort whether your hand is wet or dry.
Reel
One of the main concerns when choosing the size of reels is their ability to hold larger amounts of fishing line. Since Jacks are one of the strongest fish, they can put up a great fight and will test even the strongest reels if you’re using them for something like that. That’s why using braided fishing lines is always recommended since their strength will be enough to pull out even big Jack Crevalle.
One very important factor is the drag system. Jacks are hard fighters and can take in a lot of line very quickly when you hook them, so make sure the reel has proper drag settings to keep this in check. Having your reel set too loose might cause unnecessary break-offs.
Line
Choosing a suitable fishing line for your Jack Crevalle is not as easy as it seems. There are many factors to consider before you decide which kind of fishing line is the best for your goal.
The first thing you have to know is that there are many types of fishing line available on the market today. The most common ones are monofilament, braided and fluorocarbon lines. Each one has its pros and cons, so you can use each kind depending on how deep or shallow the water is for example.
Jack Crevalle live near the bottom and cool depths of the ocean, so using a monofilament line is not an option. They require a highly sensitive kind of fishing line that can help them avoid predators and catch prey more easily. That’s why we recommend to use a braided fishing line, as it has a great strength to diameter ratio and the braided structure provides additional sensitivity.
Fishing line for Jack Crevalle must have a low stretch factor, as they want to feel everything that’s going on with their environment. Fluorocarbon lines are also recommended if you’re targeting them in shallow water. This kind of fishing line has low visibility, which will make it easier for you to sneak upon them. Furthermore, fluorocarbon line is also very sensitive and helps you feel every change of the tide.
Bait
When it comes to choosing bait for jack crevalle, there is no one answer. I have used frozen shrimp and fresh shrimp with equal success on the same day. There are some general rules that we can follow when picking out bait for jack crevalle.
The very first thing you want to do is carry a good variety of baits. The main baits that I use most often are squid and cut mullet, but you can’t beat live shrimp when the fish are finicky or if you want to target specific species of fish.
If you ask someone what is the best bait for catching jack crevalle, they will probably tell you it is live shrimp hands down. I would have to agree with this statement if it were not for the fact that there are many other good baits you can use on a regular basis. The next time you go fishing, make sure to bring all of these different types of bait and see what works best on that day.
Frozen shrimp is my second choice when it comes to baits for jacks. I have caught many of these fish on fresh-cut squid as well, but shrimp seem to work better when the wind or current are high because you can put them right in their path and they will usually pick it up before anything else.
Cut mullet is also a good choice for bait if you are fishing near mangroves or grass flats. When you put mullets into the water, they start to swim around and this is very appealing to jacks that are looking for an easy meal. I have found that putting a single piece of cut mullet on your hook will sometimes yield more results than throwing out a whole bunch at once if the current is high. Sometimes the bait will be pushed around so much that they won’t stay on your hook as well, but you can still get a bite even if it only dangles from the tip of your hook.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a challenging fish to catch, look no further than the jack crevalle. This fish is known for being one of the most difficult saltwater species to land. However, with some knowledge of their habits and behavior, you can put yourself in the best position to have a successful fishing trip. We hope this article has given you the information you need to get started on your next jack crevalle fishing adventure. Do you have any tips or tricks that have worked well for you when targeting these fish? Let us know in the comments below!