Crevalle Jack

Season

Peak months: Aug, Sep.

SCDNR: in SC waters only in summer, moving south as water cools in fall. Charleston Harbor reports: late July through early September. (Our inference)

Where to find them

Inlet mouths, jetty tips and the harbor in late summer; schools sometimes push bait along the beach.

Hunts in schools; blitzes bait at the surface around inlets and jetties.

What to look for

Surface blitzes, nervous bait, birds working over schools.

What to throw

Topwater popper or walk-the-dog plug1 to 2 oz, 4 to 6 in. Popper: sharp pops with pauses. Walker: rhythmic side-to-side twitches.

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Bait

Live menhaden (pogies), Live mullet. 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook on a heavy leader, free-lined.

Leader

Heavy leader for big jacks; 4500 to 6500 size spinning reel.

Common mistakes

• Light tackle that cannot turn a big jack
• Slow topwater retrieve; keep it moving

Landing

Long fights; use a net or lip grip and keep the fish in good shape for release.

Handling

• Sharp bony scutes near the tail

Grip at the tail wrist carefully and support the body.

Keep or release

No SC limit found in the published finfish, snapper-grouper or tuna tables. SCDNR notes most are released after capture.

Recipes for crevalle jack

Typical: 25 to 30 in, 2 to 5 lb (SCDNR); Charleston fish often about 20 lb. Large: Over 40 lb. SC record 40 lb 1 oz (1993).

South Carolina limits

No state limit entry.

Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC DNR fishing regulations.

Sources

• SCDNR species profile: crevalle jack (Official source)
• Carolina Sportsman: big jack attack (Charleston Harbor) (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: crevalle jack (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)

All the fish