What happened to the big schools that used to show up in Charleston Harbor? Also used to catch some good ones elsewhere on the coast when trolling for spanish and blues. Fun to catch on topwater.
Next time you come in, come heavy, or not at all…
They are thick at reefs like Charleston 60. Hard to get bait past them. Plenty in 25-30# range and they fight like a train. Only problem is they don’t look good to eat with parasites. Don’t know about population in other places.
Roger
they all but disappeared, good times back in the 90’s
I agree with oam, trolling the nearshore reefs has all but disappeared, therefore Crevalles are not encountered as much, still there. Plus, most inshore trolling is done on ‘schools’ of Spanish, so Crevalles don’t get to the bait, or the small spoons don’t interest them at all.
The reduction of KING fishing since the 90’s also is a big factor, those guys still catch Crevalles, BUT, agreed, not like the 90’s for sure.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
They were thick as thieves at the MI jetties a week ago. My nephew and a bud caught 2 honchos that about wore their drags out. 30 pounds plus. I will post a pic when I get the chance.
Redstripe, what kind of bait, and trolling, drifting, or anchored; that will give us our answer most likely, I believe.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
Fisherman must have killed them all… Isn’t that the only way fish disappear?
I remember the large schools 25+ years ago!!!
Truth be told, I think they all moved into the SC Aquarium which is like section 8 housing for Jack Crevalles…
quote:
Truth be told, I think they all moved into the SC Aquarium which is like section 8 housing for Jack Crevalles...
You’d better be careful talking like that.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
They were out getting Pogies and they just free lined a Pogie they had gotten. The Pogies have been really thick. people have been getting Cobes and Jacks around the mouth of the inlet to Myrtle Beach rocks, south to WB Jetties.
I have been crabbing in the cooper with my dad my whole life and on my own since 2005. I would see a few schools a day in the early 2000’s and they have been non existent for the last 5 years or so, but I did see one under the red can across from the coal schute about a week ago… Also saw a 5lb ish triple tail under one of my floats the same day
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejFisherman must have killed them all… Isn’t that the only way fish disappear?
I remember the large schools 25+ years ago!!!
Truth be told, I think they all moved into the SC Aquarium which is like section 8 housing for Jack Crevalles…
HAHAHA, I don’t know why they won’t let me bring my rod and reel in there…
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
quote:Are you talking about Amberjacks or Jack Crevalles?
Originally posted by Ona MissionThey are thick at reefs like Charleston 60. Hard to get bait past them. Plenty in 25-30# range and they fight like a train. Only problem is they don’t look good to eat with parasites. Don’t know about population in other places.
Roger
A 30 lb’ Jack Crevalle would probably be a record!
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by Ona MissionThey are thick at reefs like Charleston 60. Hard to get bait past them. Plenty in 25-30# range and they fight like a train. Only problem is they don’t look good to eat with parasites. Don’t know about population in other places.
Roger
I think they are reef donkeys and not Crevalle…
quote:You should see the ones in the SC Aquarium. They are grown... They have triple tails in there that are 30-40 lbs. Didn't even know that they got that big...
Originally posted by Cracker LarryA 30 lb’ Jack Crevalle would probably be a record!
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
40# is the state record.
I have seen those there. That aquarium is a very cool place, very nice exhibits of all kinds.
Just to satisfy my curiosity, I looked up the SC state record for Jack Crevalle, and I was WRONG[:I] SC record is 40 lbs. 1 ounce! Dang, I’ve never seen one that big, but apparently there are 
Average size 2-5 pounds.
Reference to prove I was wrong… http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/species/crevallejack.html
Learn something new every day:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:Larry, I haven't seen them in YEARS... I remember seeing them as a kid 10-12 years old maybe, when kingfishing with my dad. I'm 38 now, so that was 26-28 years ago... Now, everything looks bigger as a child, but from my recollection, I remember them being more than the 2-5 lb fish when seeing them just outside the harbor or in the harbor. I feel like they were in the 10-15 lb range. But like I said, it was a long time ago, so take it with a grain of salt.
Originally posted by Cracker LarryI have seen those there. That aquarium is a very cool place, very nice exhibits of all kinds.
Just to satisfy my curiosity, I looked up the SC state record for Jack Crevalle, and I was WRONG[:I] SC record is 40 lbs. 1 ounce! Dang, I’ve never seen one that big, but apparently there are
Reference to prove I was wrong… http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/species/crevallejack.html
Learn something new every day:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
We didn’t target them though. I just remember seeing the schools on the way back home.
Interestingly enough, my time frame reference seems to fit right in with this info:
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/species/graphs/jackcrevallestatus.html
1987 would have been 28 years ago.
Thats interesting. We caught a few juvies in the harbor last year on jigs. I hope they come back. Last fall I fished in a yak at Apollo Beach in FL and had a blast catching crevalle jacks on topwater. They would be a fun addition to our inshore fishery (again)
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
In 1993 when that record was set, I was running fishing charters full time. We caught a lot of them while trolling for spanish and kings, but I don’t remember anything larger than 6 or 7 pounds. They do put up a heck of a fight!
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper