Crevalle Jack: season, lures and limits

Showing the fish for Southwest Florida, Naples to Charlotte Harbor.

Fishing region

Season in Southwest Florida

JFMAMJJASOND

Charlotte Harbor April forecast: big jacks show where mackerel feed. FWC: common inshore and offshore, peak spawning offshore March to September. (Our inference)

Season by region

Myrtle Beach	JFMAMJJASOND
Charleston	JFMAMJJASOND
Georgia	JFMAMJJASOND
Northeast Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Space Coast	JFMAMJJASOND
Southeast Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Southwest Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Tampa Bay	JFMAMJJASOND
Big Bend	JFMAMJJASOND
Panhandle	JFMAMJJASOND
Alabama	JFMAMJJASOND
Mississippi	JFMAMJJASOND
Louisiana	JFMAMJJASOND
Upper Texas	JFMAMJJASOND
Middle Texas	JFMAMJJASOND
Lower Texas	JFMAMJJASOND

Where to find them

Wherever Spanish mackerel are feeding on Gulf bait (Visit Punta Gorda).

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

Usually released; edible but not considered very desirable (TPWD).

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).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: April 2026 fishing forecast for Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf (Angler knowledge)
Florida FWC species profile: crevalle jack (Official source)
Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: crevalle jack (Official source)
SCDNR species profile: crevalle jack (Official source)
Carolina Sportsman: big jack attack (Charleston Harbor) (Angler knowledge)
SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)

All the fish of Southwest Florida

Crevalle Jack