Damn Good Jack Crevalle Fishing Charters

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Jack Crevalle Fishing Charters

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Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Santa Rosa Beach

30A Inshore 3 Hour Fishing Trip

100% (18)
25 ft 1 - 12 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in St. Augustine Beach

Inshore Fishing

NEW
18 ft 1 - 3 People From $600
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Tarpon Springs

6hr INSHORE NEARSHORE Fishing Trip

100% (5)
25 ft 1 - 12 People From $800
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people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Santa Rosa Beach

Family Special - 22’ TranSport

100% (25)
22 ft 1 - 6 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing in Naples

Naples Backcountry Trip

100% (32)
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty in Galveston

6 Hour Jetty/Inshore With Chef

100% (4)
55 ft 1 - 6 People From $4,170
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Everything to Know About Booking a jack crevalle fishing charter

What are the best jack crevalle fishing charters?

What is a Jack Crevalle?

The crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) is a large marine fish within the jack family, described and named in 1766 by the Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus. You may recognize them from another name like the common jack, blacktailed trevally, couvalli jack, black cavalli, or yellow cavalli. Jack crevalles are found in tropical and temperate waters in the Atlantic Ocean from Canada, to Uruguay, to Portugal. The young fish migrate from the eastern Atlantic to tropical waters before winter.

The coloring of a jack crevalle can range from a brassy green, to bluish-black dorsally, becoming silvery white or golden ventrally. There is a dark spot on the pectoral fin and another near the face, on the operculum. Juveniles will have five dark, vertical bands on their side, which fade into adulthood.

As their latin name suggests, jack crevalles can be compared to marine horses. They are said to have quite the attitude, and pack a punch when it comes time to reel them in. Voracious eaters, they will kill nearly anything smaller that’s in the way and are known as bullies of the sea. A strong fight is in store if you get one on the line, as jack crevalles are some of the toughest pound for pound.

How big do Jack Crevalle get?

As one of the largest fish in their genus, jack crevalles can grow up to over 40 inches and weigh over 55 pounds. However, an average size is closer to 23 inches long, and are considered mature at 21 inches for males, and 25 inches for females.

There are unverified reports of jack crevalle reaching lengths of over 60 inches, although I think we’ve all caught fish that somehow got bigger and bigger by the time we reach shore.

What's the biggest Jack Crevalle ever caught?

The current world record jack crevalle weighs in at 54 pounds and 7 ounces. It was caught in Gabon, Africa on June 14th, 1991. However, there are claims of bigger that have been caught. Florida Fish and Wildlife lists the Florida state record at 57 pounds, caught in Jupiter, Florida.

Where is the best place to catch Jack Crevalle?

Jack crevalle are found in the Atlantic Ocean, ranging extensively along both the eastern American coastline and the western African and European coastlines. One of the best places to go for crevalle jack is the Gulf of Mexico around the oil rigs. Take a trip out of anywhere along the coast and you’ll find them, peak season being from May until August.

Adults that move offshore are usually found around 100 meters deep in continental shelf waters. There, they live on outer shelf edges, sill reefs, and deep reefs. They can also be found nearshore by reefs and even inshore areas. Depending on the depth and maturity of the fish, they will move in large schools or roam in solitude.

When should I catch Jack Crevalle?

Jack Crevalles can generally be caught year round inshore. They use coastal estuaries to spawn and grow in, as well congregating there during times of cooler water temperatures. The best time to catch a larger jack inshore is in the fall.

These fish in general are highly migrational. On the Atlantic Coast, they will move further north in the summer, towards Port Orange, Florida, and back down towards Palm Beach in the winter. On the Gulf Coast, you’ll have luck year round from the Panhandle to the Keys.

How do you catch Jack Crevalle?

When jacks are hunting, they will drive baitfish to the surface to feed, which attracts birds to the area. This will give you a hint on where to head out once you hit the water. You can catch them with both artificial and live bait, whether you’re trolling, spinning, fly-fishing, or surfcasting. The more natural and active whichever bait you’re using looks, the more likely they will bite.

Though they aren’t as selective as other fish, they are specially noted for their ferocious fights. Due to this, you’ll need to scale your tackle to the size you’re targeting. A 20 to 40 pound monofilament leader is recommended. Jacks will often compete with each other for bait, so be sure not to set the hook until you’re sure they’ve got a good bite, then hang on tight and get ready for a battle!

Are Jack Crevalle good to eat? What are the best Jack Crevalle recipes?

Jack Crevalles are notorious for the fight they put up while fishing, but unfortunately do not make great table fare. If you do choose to keep them for the meat, it is recommended to bleed them upon capture, and that smaller fish tend to taste better.

Though, some will argue that if prepared correctly, they are a delicacy! After bleeding, be sure to soak the fillets in either milk, buttermilk, or beer for several days to remove the fishier taste. Then fry or grill them up, and serve!

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    My opinion: Capt. Chris was the best, and that's coming from a former 100-ton Coast Guard-certified captain who ran fishing charters in the northeast for years. His boat was clean and well-provisioned, he came prepared, listened to what we wanted to do and delivered on every one of our requests. Along the way he provided great conversation, insights and local color and left us with an unforgettable day. Should we go back to the Cayo Costa/Sanibel/Pine Island area, we 100 percent will hire Chris to take us out again.

    Ted H. | April 6, 2026

    Trip: Boat Day Shelling Beach Sightseeing

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Stratton was great very polite and knowledgeable of the area can’t go wrong with being with him will be going out with him again

    John M. | April 2, 2026

    Trip: Hilton Head Inshore Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Took a trip out with my dad and we had a fantastic time. Captain Ken put us right on the fish throughout the entire day with ease. We were able to catch multiple species of fish steadily throughout the entire day without any lapse. In addition to catching big fish, we were able to see a nice variety of wildlife (dolphins, sharks, osprey, saltwater crocs, numerous species of birds). I would highly recommend booking a full day trip with Captain Ken. You will catch high quality fish and have a very pleasant day.

    Julio R. | March 31, 2026

    Trip: Islamorada Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great trip with Capt. Stratton. He put us on fish and made everyone comfortable, to include my 12 y/o daughter who had never been out on a charter. We will definitely be back!

    Joel B. | March 20, 2026

    Trip: Hilton Head Inshore Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Easily one of the best fishing trips I have been on! Ken called me several days before the charter to ask what expectations I had for the trip and what my target species were. I could tell Ken was very knowledgeable about the Florida waters as he put us on the fish with in the first few casts of the trip! He gave us tips and tricks throughout the trip on how to better cast and catch fish. In totally we caught 25 - 30 fish throughout the trip. We kept 4 Sea Trout for dinner that night. Ken beautifully filleted the trout for us at the end of the trip. Next time I'm down in the Keys I will definitely be booking a trip with Ken again!!

    Andrew K. | March 20, 2026

    Trip: Islamorada Fishing

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