Crevalle Jack
Crevalle Jack in South Carolina are powerful, predatory marine fish that are primarily schooling fish inhabiting deeper offshore waters as well as hard substrates and natural or artificial reefs, but juveniles and adults also enter estuaries and tidal creeks up to the freshwater line.
Scientific Name: Caranx hippos
- Silver bodies featuring dark blue-green coloration along the back and yellowish coloration along the belly.
- They display conspicuous dark spots on the operculum and at the base of the pectoral fins, with juveniles showing five dark vertical bars that disappear as adults.
- Average 25-30 inches and 2-5 pounds, with South Carolina's state record at 40 pounds, 1 ounce.
Fishing in South Carolina
Lake Marion
Wateree River
Broad River
Saluda River
Lake Murray
Black River
Catawba River
Lynches River
Lake Moultrie
Santee River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Deeper offshore waters, hard substrates and natural or artificial reefs, estuaries and tidal creeks up to the freshwater line.
Key Locations
- Hilton Head's lowcountry estuaries and tidal creeks, Hilton Head region and similar coastal areas.
Specific Spots
- Estuaries, river mouths, bays, sounds, and inlets.
- Can be found both inshore during summer and offshore year-round.
Crevalle Jack FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Crevalle Jack in South Carolina?
Artificial lures for sight casting, natural baits like poggies, squid, shrimp, and small fish for bottom fishing.
When is the best time to fish for Crevalle Jack in South Carolina?
Summer months (June through September) when most abundant in estuaries and tidal creeks before returning to deeper offshore waters in fall.
How do you catch Crevalle Jack in South Carolina?
Sight casting with artificial lures, positioning your lure ahead of the fish and working it in front of the school. Bottom fishing with natural baits using weighted circle hooks. Fly fishing requires precision casting.
What do Crevalle Jack eat?
Voracious predators that consume primarily small fish (74-94% of diet), with the remainder being prawns, shrimps, crabs, molluscs, and stomatopods. Young fish predominantly take clupeids, adding sparids and carangids as they grow larger.
Where do Crevalle Jack live in South Carolina?
Deeper offshore waters, hard substrates and natural or artificial reefs, estuaries and tidal creeks up to the freshwater line.
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