Green Jack Photos and Species Information for Fish Caught in Mexico
See current, on-the-spot sportfishing reports and photographs of fish caught at Mexico's top vacation spots in this week's edition of
"Mexico Fishing News" and see hundreds of other fish pictures and species information by clicking here for our main Fish Photo List.
Green Jack
Cocinero, Baracuta, Cocinero Dorado
(Carangoides caballus)
Fish Identification Photos: Green Jack, Carangoides caballus: The Green Jack is a member of the Carangidae or Jack Family found in Mexican waters traveling in medium-sized schools. The Green Jack is characterized by its overall “jack-like” appearance, with an aerodynamically slender body, exceedingly strong prominent scutes and lateral line that arch over the pectoral fins, extraordinarily long pectoral fins, blue-green back with silver-gray to golden below, and a characteristic black spot one-quarter of the way down its gill cover.
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The Green Jack can be easily confused with the Jack Crevalle, Caranx caninus (less aerodynamic and not as deeply colored), the Black Jack, Caranx lugubris (which has an angular head profile and fins and scutes that are black in color), the Island Jack, Carnagoides orthogrammus (no black spot on its gill cover and yellow spots on its body), the Big Eye Travally, Caranx sexfascitus (large eye and a smaller black spot higher on the gill cover), the Striped Jack, Caranx victus (dark bars on its side with a black blotch on the gill covers, and yellow fins), and the Fortune Jack, Seriola peruana (short snout, mouth ending under the pupil, no bars or stripes on head or body, dark fins, and an overall bronze appearance).
The Green Jack is pelagic and found in all Mexican waters, including around the oceanic islands. It is found in the first 100 feet of the water column over all types of terrain. It is reported to reach a length of 28 inches, and is viewed by locals to be marginal table fare.
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Green Jack, Carangoides caballus: Caught with Captain Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, midmorning in January 2002, in 72-degree, 100 to 150-foot deep water, utilizing a chrome yo-yo iron tied direct to 30-pound test, 25 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 14 inches and 2 pounds, and gave a strong fight based on its size. Viewed by locals as an insignificant catch and marginal table fare. The Green Jack is only caught on rare occasions in the San Jose del Cabo area. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.
Green Jack, Carangoides caballus: Dutch light tackle, species specialist Peter Langstraat fishes at Hotel Punta Colorada, Baja California Sur, Mexico, with his girlfriend Mieke Schaap, shown here with a Green Jack. Said Langstraat, "When I met her, she had never touched a rod in her life, but she was willing to try. After quite a bit of field training and casting lessons, she joined me for the first time in June 2002. Fishing from my aluminum boat, she actually did great, including some pretty rare species like an almaco jack, a flat needlefish, and bonefish. She totaled 18 different species and 91 fish overall. Again last February, she did very well, catching a 15-pound skipjack after almost an hour, and of course lots of sierra, some ladyfish, and a green jack. This one was caught by her from the beach close to the lighthouse of Punta Arena on a 14-pound line with a piece of squid. Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.
Green Jack, Carangoides caballus: Caught at East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo by Peter Langstraat.
Green Jack, Carangoides caballus: Caught at the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico. Photo by Gene Kira.
Green Jack, Carangoides caballus: Length 16 inches, caught on cut bait with 12-pound line at Punta Colorada, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in October 1999. Says Peter, "I've caught a few of 19 inches, very good fighters especially for a relatively small fish." Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat. |
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