Texas Jacks on the fly

Been seeing pictures of some nice jacks caught on the coast, really has me wanting to chase them. I’m planning on making a trip down in July sometime, but I have never chased jacks. I’ve fished for reds on the flats in the port a and corpus area so I’m somewhat familiar there.

Can anyone give me any pointers, general areas to look into? I have a small boat that will be fine in the bays on calmer days. I would greatly appreciate any help or pms!

Jack crevalle are far from a sure deal at the coast. The best way to target them on a fly is to get on the flats at first light. Look for big blow-ups. Most of the action will be ladyfish, and they are really fun on a fly. Once the early bite stops it will be hit and miss. The best chance at a jack on a fly is near offshore in the fall when they are feeding on anchovy bait balls.

The big jacks do come up in the intracoastal waterway. My daughter caught this one from the bank after a 45 minute fight. They are one of my favorite fish to catch and fight harder than most of the fish out there. Good luck..

I'd bet that was fun

very nice

They are a great fish to catch on the fly...very much under rated.

They are almost a sure thing...as sure as anything gets in fly fishing...behind anchored up shrimp boats just offshore. On calm days they are readily accessible to "small boats" ... I've done it hundreds of times... offer great fun for light tackle especially fly fishing. Sometimes you need a conventional rod rigged with a big noisy top water teaser to get them fired up...but take the hooks off the teaser and throw a big fly at them for quick hook-ups.

Nice fish. Would have loved to have seen the fight.

I love big jacks. Interestingly enough, many folks just break them off because they don’t want to devote a long fight to a fish that’s not considered desirable table fare. Their loss..... The only downside is that they will destroy your fly. A small price to pay for a big fight.

I will trade a fly for a jack anytime.

I’ve run into a few. They can be in the surf within wadeable casting range, but certainly no guarantees. Often, they are a couple of hundred yards off the beach. Seen them in San Luis Pass a fair amount. Even had some in shallow Drum Bay. Jacks haven’t been very selective about flies in my experience. They are voracious feeders and any 3-4” baitfish type pattern ought to work. If a school of jacks is feeding on or near the surface, they are about impossible to miss. Cast out in front of the school and hold on.

Better have a ton of backing, at least 150 yards on the reel or have a circuit breaker in your leader if the jacks have any size to them. They run a long, long way. I guess you could follow a big running one in a boat, but boats don’t always start when you want them to.

I don’t really like them as fish to cast at and try to catch. The initial run is a thrill, but the rest of it is just agony. But, Jack creavelle are certainly powerful and that big, long, fast run is eye opening.

Ummmm Barry, you sure have changed since the last time I saw you, did you have a sex change? Can we have a date?

Awesome!!

No sex change. That’s one of my daughters, and her looks came from her mom. She is happily married now and gave me two great grandkids to fish with. I am blessed.

we caught this brute just inside the jetty’s at port A. Early morning at the jetties from the boat has been where I’ve run into them most. They usually will make themselves known with vicious blowups, get something noticeable in front of them and your hooked up.

That is a beautiful fish. Great job

Nice fish.

I have caught a few up to a couple of pounds on my 8 weight. Those are plenty big enough on that rod. Great fighting fish.