%2F%2Fusers%2F3f1f6387-d115-4c62-a2e0-2985d4d7c79e%2Fimages%2Fcrevalle-jack-deep-sea-fishing-6702.png&w=1200&q=75)
The Caranx Hippos belongs to the order Perciformes and family Carangidae. It typically measures between 15 and 49 inches in length, with a weight range from 15 to 60 lbs. Habitat: river, onshore, nearshore, offshore, reef, flats backcountry, wreck. - The Crevalle Jack is a large fish that is part of the Jack family. - The colorations can vary from brassy green to blue on the back, golden scales on the sides, and a white belly and bright yellow/gold on the tail and fins. - It is an extremely popular game fish for anglers as well as important for the commercial fishing industry.
Captain Dakota Moore of Fish Moore Charters on Wednesday April offers full-day fishing adventures targeting Crevalle Jack and other gamefish in Sarasota's productive inshore waters. This 6 to 8-hour charter combines live bait fishing, sight fishing, and drift fishing techniques to maximize your chances at trophy catches. Recent trips have produced impressive results, including monster Crevalle Jack measuring over 140 inches, along with solid Redfish and Snook. Operating from Centennial Park, we explore everything from backcountry flats to nearshore reefs where these powerful fighters thrive. Our experienced local guide provides all necessary gear and shares years of knowledge about Sarasota Bay's seasonal patterns. Whether you're targeting the explosive strikes of Crevalle Jack or hoping for a mixed bag of Gulf Coast species, these waters deliver consistent action for anglers of all skill levels.
Captain Dakota Moore of Fish Moore Charters on Wednesday April specializes in 6 to 8-hour nearshore fishing adventures that put you directly on Sarasota's most productive gamefish. Our full-day charters accommodate up to 4 guests and include all fishing gear, tackle, and local expertise needed for a successful day on the water. We launch from Centennial Park with clear morning conditions, targeting prime inshore spots where Crevalle Jack, Redfish, and Snook congregate. Licensed and experienced, Captain Dakota combines live bait fishing, sight fishing, and drift fishing techniques to adapt to daily conditions and fish behavior. Book online to secure your preferred dates and experience the thrill of Sarasota's renowned fishing grounds.
This charter targets diverse gamefish species across Sarasota Bay's varied environments, from backcountry flats to nearshore reefs. Recent trips have produced exceptional catches, including a massive 144-inch Crevalle Jack that showcases the trophy potential of these waters. The versatile approach covers multiple fishing techniques, ensuring productive action regardless of conditions or fish preferences.
Our experienced captain brings years of local knowledge to every trip, reading water conditions and fish behavior to position you for success. The 6 to 8-hour duration provides ample time to explore different areas and target various species, creating opportunities for both quantity and quality catches that make for lasting fishing memories.
Crevalle Jack in Sarasota waters are renowned for their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights that test both angler skill and equipment. These powerful predators patrol nearshore reefs, flats, and structure where they ambush baitfish in spectacular feeding displays. April conditions often trigger aggressive feeding behavior as water temperatures rise and baitfish become more active. Captain Dakota's deep sea jigging techniques prove especially effective when targeting these fighters around Sarasota's clear water structure, where their brassy green backs and golden sides make them visible to experienced guides.
Your full-day adventure begins with an early morning departure from Centennial Park, where we'll have all gear rigged and ready for immediate action. Our charter accommodates up to 4 guests comfortably, with safety equipment and fishing tackle provided for the entire group. Captain Dakota adjusts techniques throughout the day based on fish activity and weather conditions, ensuring you experience the best of what Sarasota's inshore waters offer. We focus on creating memorable fishing experiences while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism on every trip.
The Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos) is a powerful member of the Carangidae family and order Perciformes, distinguished by its robust build and aggressive feeding behavior. These impressive gamefish display brassy green to blue coloration on their backs, golden scales along their sides, and bright white bellies with vibrant yellow-gold fins and tails. In Sarasota waters this April, anglers consistently encounter these fighters around nearshore structure and flats.
This species represents one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish along Florida's Gulf Coast, prized for explosive strikes and relentless fights that challenge even experienced anglers. Their muscular, compressed bodies and powerful tail fins make them formidable opponents capable of long, determined runs and sudden direction changes.
These adaptable predators thrive in diverse environments including rivers, onshore shallows, nearshore reefs, offshore waters, flats, backcountry areas, and artificial structures. Around Sarasota, they frequent both shallow grass flats and deeper nearshore reefs, following baitfish movements and tidal patterns throughout the day.
Adult specimens typically range from 15 to 49 inches in length, with weights spanning 15 to 60 pounds. Trophy fish exceeding 40 inches provide exceptional battles, while smaller individuals still deliver impressive fights relative to their size.
These aggressive predators feed primarily on small fish, shrimp, and crabs, often hunting in schools that create spectacular surface feeding frenzies. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, though feeding can occur throughout the day when baitfish are abundant.
Spawning typically occurs in warmer months when water temperatures rise above 75 degrees, with peak activity during spring and early summer. During this period, they form large aggregations in deeper nearshore waters before moving to spawning grounds.
Effective methods include live bait fishing with pinfish or sardines, casting spoons and jigs to feeding schools, and sight fishing on shallow flats. Deep sea jigging proves particularly productive around structure, while topwater plugs create explosive surface strikes. In April, Sarasota anglers find success targeting them near reefs and wrecks during early morning hours.
While edible, these fish are typically considered better as sport fish due to their strong, oily flesh and numerous bones. The meat has a robust flavor that some anglers enjoy when properly prepared, though most prefer catch-and-release practices to preserve these exciting gamefish.
Q: What is the best bait for Crevalle Jack?
A: Live pinfish, sardines, and shrimp work exceptionally well, along with artificial lures like spoons, jigs, and topwater plugs that mimic fleeing baitfish.
Q: Where can I find Crevalle Jack near Sarasota?
A: Look for them around nearshore reefs, grass flats, channel edges, and structure where baitfish congregate, particularly during moving tides.
Q: Is Crevalle Jack good to eat?
A: They're edible but considered primarily sport fish due to strong flavor and oily texture. Most anglers practice catch-and-release.
Q: When is the best time to catch Crevalle Jack?
A: Early morning and late afternoon provide peak activity, though they can be caught throughout the day when actively feeding on baitfish schools.