How To Catch Jack Crevalle

 One of the most popular inshore flats species in South Florida is Jack Crevalle. Not only are they fun on light tackle, but when they are full of eggs, there is nothing better for catching a truly challenging fight. Here's how to successfully go after this hard fighting saltwatering gamefish in South Florida.

Catching Jack Crevalle on light tackle is one of the most fun things to do in South Florida. During the spring and summer months, Jack Crevalle (Caranx hippos) can be caught off Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, and for a little while longer, out of Hollywood may also provide some opportunities. They are usually pretty big fish averaging 10-20 lbs, and going after them on light tackle is a blast.

There are two different techniques that can be used in catching Jacks. The first method involves anchor fishing from the shore in areas where you find large schools of fish feeding in shallow water just a few feet deep. These fish will usually be found schooling around any structure such as mangroves, sea grass beds or oyster bars. It is usually best to choose areas that have a shallow sand bottom and not too much rock since this type of habitat does not produce much in the way of large baitfish (which Jack Crevalle love to eat). Anchoring up in such an area allows you to cover water where you know that they are actively feeding.

The second method of catching them is by sight fishing with the use of a light spinning outfit over deep water grass beds or mangroves where large baitfish are present. Jacks follow their prey into shallow waters, and will often be found cruising along the edges where the deep water meets the shallows, always on the lookout for an easy meal.

Catching Jacks using the first method (anchoring) is much easier than sight fishing them, but it does require that you be able to predict where they are going to be at any given time or stage in their life cycle. If you're not sure about this type of fishing, then it would serve you well to spend some time on the water studying these fish and learning how they interact with their habitat.

The best way to determine where they are located is by looking for large schools of baitfish. When feeding, Jacks will often be found along the edge of the grass line, chasing after mullet and pinfish as they are driven towards the grass by predators such as big tarpon looking to eat them. They often follow these baitfish into shallow water, but will also cruise just outside of this area along the sand bottom where they have to go in order to get around any obstructions or drop offs that are present.

Once you have determined where it is that the Jacks are located, anchor up at that spot and cast a live bait fish on a popping cork out into the grass line. The cork is used to suspend your live bait fish off of the bottom where it won't be able to hide from larger predators, not to mention Jack Crevalle who will see it as an easy choice for a quick meal.

While there are no guarantees that you will hook into one the first time, it is usually only a matter of time before they begin to show up, and then it's just a matter of finding them with your live bait before you set the hook. Catching Jack Crevalle using this method can be done all day long as they will often feed in the same general area throughout the entire day.

The second method of catching Jack Crevalle involves much more luck, but it can be a lot of fun when you do manage to hook one. This method also allows you to fish for other species such as Sailfish, Tarpon and Snook that will be roaming the same waters.

Using a light spinning outfit, look for areas where there is a lot of baitfish activity going on above a patch reef or mangrove roots. The best way to do this is to find an active school of small baitfish, and then cast out a small live bait fish such as a pinfish about a foot away from the school. From there, you want to let the live bait fish hover over this area for a short time before retrieving it back towards you using a stop and go retrieve while keeping your rod tip high in order to make it more visible for any predators cruising along looking for an easy meal.

Jack Crevalle as well as other predators will often be found just outside of the school, cruising along the edges of the patch reef or mangrove roots while following along below their prey. If you have never done this type of fishing before, then it is best to use a fairly light spinning outfit so that when you feel something pick up your live bait fish, you can set the hook with authority.

This is one of those methods where there are no set guidelines as to how you should fish it, but if you find an area like this and see activity going on below your bait, then chances are good that at some point something will come up either to eat your live bait fish or simply take it for a ride before letting it go.

If you're lucky enough to hook into a Jack Crevalle, then you know that you will be in for a fight as these fish are excellent fighters and can grow to over 50 pounds! They provide an exciting acrobatic display as they jump out of the water trying desperately to throw your fishing line.