Also known as
- Pacific Jack US
- Jack Crevalle US
Identification
A deep-bodied stocky tropical Eastern Pacific inshore powerhouse — heavy compressed build delivers explosive acceleration and dogged stamina well beyond the modest weight class. Males and females alike.
- Dark spot on the upper edge of the gill cover
- Deep compressed silver body with a steep blunt forehead profile
- Fleshy eyelid covering the eye
- Mostly scaleless chest with a small scale patch before the pectoral fins
- 35-42 bony scutes along the rear of the lateral line
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Offshore
- Coral Reefs
- Estuaries
Behaviour
A schooling diurnal pelagic predator working the upper 50m around coastal headlands, reef edges, river mouths, estuaries, beach structure, and current lines. Hunts schooling baitfish (mullet, sardines, anchovies, herring) using explosive surface chases that produce visible boils and birds working the school. Most active in 22-28°C (72-82°F) water; large adults often turn solitary. Juveniles use estuaries and river mouths as nursery habitat.
Diet: Mullet, Sardines, Anchovies, Herring, Small Baitfish, Shrimp
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
The dominant Mexican, Central American, and Sea of Cortez approach — locate boiling surface activity or working birds and cast a 30-60g metal slug, popper, walking topwater, or 1/2-1oz bucktail jig into the school and rip it back fast with erratic action. 7-8ft heavy spinning rod, PE3-5 mainline, 60-80lb fluorocarbon shock leader. Strikes are violent.
Live Lining
An equally productive approach when fish refuse lures or hold deep — drift a live mullet, sardine, herring, or anchovy on a 4/0-6/0 circle hook with 60-80lb fluorocarbon leader free-line or under a small egg sinker around current edges, headlands, and reef points. Allow the bait to swim naturally; let the circle hook do the work on the strike.
Trolling
An effective method for locating scattered schools — pull spoons, diving plugs, and skirted lures at 4-6 knots along reef edges, drop-offs, and current lines. Stagger lines at different depths to find the active feeding zone. Once a school is found, switch to spinning or live-lining for follow-up hookups. PE4-5 trolling tackle, 50-80lb fluorocarbon leader.
Jigging
A productive structure-bound approach — drop a 80-200g metal jig or 1-3oz bucktail over reefs, wrecks, and seamounts in 20-60m and work it with sharp aggressive sweeps. Speed jigging produces best when fish are marked mid-water on the sounder. PE4-5 jigging tackle, 60-80lb fluorocarbon leader.
Surf Casting
An accessible Baja and Central American beach approach — long-cast 30-60g metal slugs, walking topwaters, or stickbaits from the beach when fish push baitfish against the surf zone. Look for diving birds, nervous bait, and visible boils. Best at first and last light when fish patrol the wash. 9-11ft surf rod, PE3-5 mainline, 60-80lb fluorocarbon shock leader.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
An exciting approach when fish are surface-feeding visibly — cast a 4-8 inch baitfish streamer (Deceiver, EP Baitfish, Surf Candy) or a popping bug to a working school and strip fast and aggressively. 10-12wt rod, intermediate or floating WF saltwater line, 30-50lb fluorocarbon shock tippet. Be ready for explosive strikes and bullish runs.
Spear Fishing
Inshore Spearfishing
An opportunistic approach where schooling fish move onto reefs and nearshore structure — stalk slowly using structure for cover in 5-30m and time the shot during a feeding pass. Schooling behaviour distracts the fish but speed makes the window short. 100-110cm gun with double bands and 7.5-8.0mm shaft.
