Key West Yellow Jack

Yellow Jack - Carangoides bartholomaei

A Little about Them

As one of the only two fish in this genus present in the Atlantic Ocean, the yellow jack is found off the eastern coast of the Americas from Massachusetts all the way to Brazil. It is often spotted along offshore islands as well, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, and West Indies. Yellow jacks rarely swim in inshore waters, instead preferring to frequent offshore reefs and open waters over the continental shelf. In some rare cases, the yellow jack has been seen in sandy shallow water of the Caribbean islands to forage with similar species.

Yellow jacks are relatively large fish, growing to a maximum recorded length of 1 meter, and a weight of at least 14 kilograms. The fish are a pale yellowish green or blue, with noticeable silver underbellies and around five vertical bands. The hyaline fins often appear with a golden yellowish brown coloring, although the larger fish tend to have brighter yellow fins. As yellow jacks age, their bands slowly fade away and the fish takes on a more yellow appearance. Similar to other species in the Carangoides genus, the Yellow Jack possesses a fairly deep compressed elongated shape, with a convex dorsal fin and slightly curved head from snout to nape.

Feeding Patterns and Unique Characteristics

Although yellow jacks are predatory fish, they are notorious for being picky eaters. Their main prey is small schooling fish, but they sometimes feed on even smaller benthic prey, including amphipods, worms, snails, and larvae. The yellow jack species usually takes on a following role to move around the waters with larger species, in order to take advantage of the commotion and feed on their scraps. They have been observed following teleosts, stingrays, nurse sharks, eels, and flying gurnards. The fish have also been recorded following after spinner dolphins to feed on their waste.

Between February and October, yellow jack fish spawn in the offshore waters mostly before sunset. The fish reach sexual maturity at different times depending on the region, but the ones around Cuba were recorded to reach maturity at 30 cm. for males and 32 cm. for females. When juveniles are hatched, they live near the surface of the water, usually hiding among mats of jellyfish or Sargassum weed to camouflage themselves. Young yellow jacks are often swept long distances in the Gulf Stream, which most likely describes why the fish are found so far north in Massachusetts.

What You and Your Guide Are Looking For

In the Florida Keys, yellow jacks often show up in the chum slick while fishing through the offshore waters over reefs or wreck sites. In shallower water, yellow jacks can also be found following behind the stingrays and sharks. One of the best methods for reeling in these brute fish is by using small live bait, although beware their strength and never underestimate their ability to spool a light outfit. Top water plugs are another great idea, since they are unable to resist the temptation.