Leatherjack
Piña Sietecueros
(Oligoplites saurus

Leatherjack, Oligoplites saurus: The Leatherjack is characterized by its overall “jack-like” appearance, aerodynamic, very slender elongated body with a pointed snout, and a jaw that terminates slightly beyond the rear.

The Leatherjack is silver in color, with clear anal and dorsal fins and a yellow tail. It has short pectoral fins. The lateral line is slightly arched over the pectoral fin. There are no scutes.

This fish species can be easily confused with the Longjaw Leatherjack, Oligoplites altus (less aerodynamic with a longer jaw extending behind the eye), and the Shortjaw Leatherjack, Oligoplites refulgens (mouth ends before the pupil of the eye)..

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

The Leatherjack is a pelagic fish species found in all Mexican fishing waters south of Magdalena Bay, in the lower two-thirds of the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala. It is found in the first 150 feet of the water column over all types of terrain, and is reported to reach a length of 18 inches. It is a virtually an unknown species and of virtually no interest to anyone.

The Leatherjack is a small seldom seen member of the Carangidae or Jack family found in Mexican fishing waters.

Leatherjack fish picture

Leatherjack, Oligoplites saurus: Shows up when one purchases a “scoop of bait.” Caught fishing in the surf zone, in December 2003, 77-degree, 5 to 10-foot deep water, utilizing a net cast by a panguero bait salesmen. Size approximately 6 inches. This is a very rare, seldom seen, fish species without a name within the local fishing community. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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