Fish Identification Photos: Island Jack, Island Trevally, Carangoides orthogrammus: The Island Jack is a very rare, seldom seen member of the Carangidae or Jack Family found in Mexican waters.

The Island Jack is characterized by its overall “jack-like” appearance, with a deep body, convex head profile, short anal and dorsal fins, long pectoral fins, and large elliptical yellow spots on its sides. This species might be confused with the Bluefin Crevalle Jack, Caranx melampygus (which, however, has blue anal, caudal and dorsal fins, with small blue and black spots on its sides).

The Carangidae are found in all tropical and subtropical seas, with 140 individual species having been identified to date. They are voracious predators feeding primarily on small fishes. They frequently travel in large schools and roam considerable distances, normally following schools of smaller bait fish. They are generally silver in color, and exhibit a wide range in size from about 10 inches and 1 pound, to 6 feet and 90 pounds.

The Island Jack is pelagic and only found on a very limited basis in Mexican waters, at the tip of the Baja California peninsula around Cabo San Lucas, the southernmost coast of mainland Mexico, and around all oceanic islands. The Island Jack is found in all depths of the water column over reefs. It is reported to reach a length of 28-inches, and is viewed by locals as a virtually unknown species.

Island Jack, Island Trevally, Carangoides orthogrammus: Caught with Captain Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, midmorning in November 2003, in 78-degree water, on the surface, utilizing 30-pound test line, with Mustad 92553 hook, size 2/0, on a flylined live sardina, about 20 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 18 inches and 8 pounds. A rare catch. Viewed by locals as good table fare. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.

Island Jack, Island Trevally, Carangoides orthogrammus: Photo courtesy John Snow.