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Everything to Know About Booking a jack crevalle fishing charter
What are the best jack crevalle fishing charters?
Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 271 jack crevalle trips, and the most popular trips are Tavernier Backcountry Fishing guided by Ben, Big Redfish on the Jetty guided by Brandon, and Tampa Bay Fishing Classic guided by Christopher.
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What types of jack crevalle fishing charters are common?
Inshore fishing is the most popular for jack crevalle as well as nearshore fishing, flats fishing, and deep sea fishing.
The most common fishing techniques are light tackle fishing, live bait fishing, and bottom fishing but trolling and artificial lure fishing are popular as well.
How much do jack crevalle fishing charters cost?
for jack crevalle prices can range anywhere from $250 to $3,000 and up, but the average price for a half day for jack crevalle is $809. The average price for a full day for jack crevalle is $1,866.
When is the best month to go jack crevalle fishing?
The most popular season for jack crevalle fishing is spring, and most anglers book their trips 21 days in advance.
Do I need a fishing license for jack crevalle and what are the bag limits for jack crevalle?
See here for more information on jack crevalle fishing licenses, jack crevalle bag limits, and fishing season regulations for jack crevalle. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right jack crevalle rules and regulations.
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!
More Fishing Trips
Other Species to Target
- African Pompano
- Albacore Tuna
- Alligator
- Alligator Gar
- Almaco Jack
- Amberjack
- Arctic Char
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Atlantic Salmon
- Barracuda
- Bigeye Tuna
- Black Drum
- Black Duck
- Black Grouper
- Black Marlin
- Black Seabass
- Black-Bellied Whistling Duck
- Blackbelly Rosefish
- Blackfin Tuna
- Blacktip Shark
- Blue Catfish
- Blue Marlin
- Blue Shark
- Blue-Winged Teal
- Bluebill
- Bluefin Tuna
- Bluefish
- Bluegill
- Bonefish
- Bonito
- Bonnethead Shark
- Bowfin
- Bream
- Brook Trout
- Broomtail Grouper
- Brown Trout
- Bufflehead
- Bull Shark
- Bull Trout
- Bullhead Catfish
- Burbot
- Calico Bass
- California Corbina
- California Sheephead
- Canada Goose
- Canvasback
- Carp
- Cero Mackerel
- Channel Catfish
- Chinook Salmon
- Chum Salmon
- Cichlid
- Cinnamon Teal
- Clown Knifefish
- Cobia
- Cod
- Coho Salmon
- Common Goldeneye
- Common Merganser
- Crab
- Crappie
- Cubera Snapper
- Cutthroat Trout
- Dolly Varden
- Dove
- False Albacore
- Flathead Catfish
- Florida Pompano
- Flounder
- Fluke
- Freshwater Drum
- Gadwall
- Gag Grouper
- Garfish
- Giant Trevally
- Golden Dorado
- Golden Trout
- Goliath Grouper
- Great White Shark
- Green-Winged Teal
- Grunt
- Guadalupe Bass
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Hammerhead Shark
- Hardhead Catfish
- Hog
- Hogfish
- Hooded Merganser
- Horse-eye Jack
- Hybrid Striped Bass
- Iguana
- Kingfish
- Ladyfish
- Lake Trout
- Lane Snapper
- Largemouth Bass
- Lemon Shark
- Leopard Shark
- Lingcod
- Lionfish
- Lobster
- Mahi Mahi
- Mako Shark
- Mallard
- Mangrove Snapper
- Mexican Duck
- Mottled Duck
- Mullet Snapper
- Muskie
- Mutton Snapper
- Needlefish
- Northern Pike
- Northern Pintail
- Northern Shoveler
- Nurse Shark
- Peacock Bass
- Perch
- Permit
- Pink Salmon
- Pink Snapper
- Pollock
- Porbeagle Shark
- Queen Snapper
- Rainbow Runner
- Rainbow Trout
- Ray
- Red Grouper
- Red Snapper
- Red-Breasted Merganser
- Redfish
- Redhead
- Ring-Necked Duck
- Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
- Rockfish
- Roosterfish
- Sailfish
- Sauger
- Scallop
- Scamp Grouper
- Sculpin
- Scup
- Shad
- Sheepshead
- Shrimp
- Skate
- Skipjack Tuna
- Smallmouth Bass
- Smallmouth Buffalo
- Snook
- Snow Goose
- Snowy Grouper
- Sockeye Salmon
- Spadefish
- Spanish Mackerel
- Spearfish
- Specklebelly Goose
- Speckled Trout
- Spotted Bass
- Steelhead
- Stingray
- Strawberry Grouper
- Striped Bass
- Striped Marlin
- Sturgeon
- Sunfish
- Swordfish
- Tarpon
- Tautog
- Thresher Shark
- Tiger Shark
- Tigerfish
- Tilapia
- Tilefish
- Triggerfish
- Tripletail
- Vermillion Snapper
- Wahoo
- Walleye
- Warsaw Grouper
- Weakfish
- White Bass
- White Marlin
- White Seabass
- Whiting
- Wigeon
- Wood Duck
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Yellowtail Amberjack
- Yellowtail Snapper
Other Techniques to Try
- Artificial Lure Fishing
- Blind Hunting
- Bottom Fishing
- Bowfishing
- Calling
- Cut Bait Fishing
- Decoy Hunting
- Deep Dropping
- Drift Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Gigging
- Heavy Tackle Fishing
- Hunting With Dogs
- Ice Fishing
- Jigging
- Kayak Fishing
- Kite Fishing
- Light Tackle Fishing
- Live Bait Fishing
- Management Hunting
- Rifle Hunting
- Scalloping
- Shotgun Hunting
- Sight Casting
- Spearfishing
- Surf Fishing
- Topwater Fishing
- Trolling
- Wading
Other Types of Fishing
States
Cities
- Aransas Pass, Texas
- Big Pine Key, Florida
- Biloxi, Mississippi
- Bokeelia, Florida
- Bolivar Peninsula, Texas
- Bonita Springs, Florida
- Boothville-Venice, Louisiana
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Cape Coral, Florida
- Carolina, Puerto Rico
- Cedar Key, Florida
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Chokoloskee, Florida
- Clearwater, Florida
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- D'Iberville, Mississippi
- Dauphin Island, Alabama
- Destin, Florida
- Englewood, Florida
- Fernandina Beach, Florida
- Flagler Beach, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida
- Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- Freeport, Florida
- Galveston, Texas
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Hillsboro Beach, Florida
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Holmes Beach, Florida
- Homosassa, Florida
- Hudson, Florida
- Islamorada, Florida
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Jaco, Costa Rica
- Jupiter, Florida
- Key Largo, Florida
- Key West, Florida
- Kingsville, Texas
- La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico
- Live Oak, Louisiana
- Loiza, Puerto Rico
- Marathon, Florida
- Marco Island, Florida
- Matagorda, Texas
- Matlacha, Florida
- Melbourne, Florida
- Melbourne Beach, Florida
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Naples, Florida
- New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Niceville, Florida
- Oak Hill, Florida
- Orange Beach, Alabama
- Palm Coast, Florida
- Palm Harbor, Florida
- Panama City, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
- Pensacola, Florida
- Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
- Port Aransas, Texas
- Port Isabel, Texas
- Port Lavaca, Texas
- Port O'Connor, Texas
- Port Orange, Florida
- Punta Gorda, Florida
- Punta Mita, Mexico
- Quepos, Costa Rica
- Rockport, Texas
- Ruskin, Florida
- Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
- Sarasota, Florida
- Seadrift, Texas
- South Padre Island, Texas
- St. Augustine, Florida
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Summerland Key, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Tavernier, Florida
- Texas City, Texas
- Tulum, Mexico
- Vero Beach, Florida
Countries
Other Featured Cities
- Aransas Pass, TX
- Austin, TX
- Biloxi, MS
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Cancun, MX
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charleston, SC
- Clearwater, FL
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Crystal River, FL
- Dauphin Island, AL
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Delray Beach, FL
- Destin, FL
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Fort Myers. FL
- Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Freeport, TX
- Galveston, TX
- Gulf Shores, AL
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Islamorada, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Jupiter, FL
- Key Largo, FL
- Key West, FL
- Kona, HI
- Marathon, FL
- Marco Island, FL
- Miami, FL
- Naples, FL
- New Orleans, LA
- Orange Beach, AL
- Panama City Beach, FL
- Pensacola, FL
- Port Aransas, TX
- Port O'Connor, TX
- Rockport, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Sarasota, FL
- South Padre Island, TX
- St. Augustine, FL
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Tarpon Springs, FL
- Tulum, Mexico
- Venice, LA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Wilmington, NC