Jack (Horse-Eye)

Jack (Horse-Eye)

Caranx latus
Jack (Horse-Eye)

Average Weight/Length

Commonly caught in similar sizes to the Crevalle, but does not grow so large, topping out at 20 pounds or so.

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Bigeye Jack, Ojo Gordo

Location Habitat

More of an openwater species than the Crevalle, it is found over the reefs and near the beaches; also in channels and harbors. A pelagic schooling species usually found in offshore reefs. Juveniles are encountered along shores of sandy beaches, also over muddy bottoms. May penetrate into brackish water and ascend rivers. Adults feed on fishes, shrimps, and other invertebrates. Often approach divers. Eggs are pelagic

Biology & Physical Description

Similar in body shape to the Crevalle, but the head is not quite so blunt. The color is also different, being usually silvery on the sides and below; dark gray or blackish above. The fins are blackish as opposed to the yellow tinge of the Crevalle. Hard scutes forward of tail. As the name indicates, the eyes are very large. Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 16 - 17. No spots on pectoral fins, and the spot posteriorly on the gill cover is small or absent; the scutes tend to be dusky or blackish; caudal fin is yellow. The young have broad blackish bars on the body.

Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: New Jersey (USA), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to São Paulo, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: St. Paul's Rocks, Ascension Island, and two confirmed records from the Gulf of Guinea

Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Sport Fishing Techniques

Gill nets

Gill-nets are the dominant gear in the Indian Ocean. Gill-nets are used in artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries, contributing to 30-40% of the total catch. The net design is comprised of continuous panels of uniform mesh size, aimed to trap fish behind the gills. The International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF) notes that rates of sharks and turtle by-catch in Indian Ocean gill-net fisheries are high..

Kite Fishing (Rig)

A Kite Fishing Rig is....

Kite Fishing (Trolling)

Kite Fishing Trolling is when you are....

River Drift

River Drift means to use the....

Tackle & Baits

Most Jacks are fairly small and are caught on the full range of light tackle by anglers seeking other game. If you target larger Jacks, say 10 pounds or more, sturdy spinning, baitcasting and fly tackle should be used, with lines no less than 8-pound test

Game Rating

Game Rating : 8.5/10

Game Description :

Like the Crevalle, a tough brawler.

Food Rating

Game Rating : 2/10

Game Description :

Poor by most tastes, and has been implicated in Ciguatera poisoning

Picture (Fish)