UTERJack crevalle fishing in The Everglades
In The Everglades, jack crevalle peak April–October and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Fish early — the afternoon storms build by noon. Tarpon on the beaches and at the river mouths on the outgoing; snook in the surf.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Jack crevalle in The Everglades, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilPeak
- MayPeak
- JunePeakTarpon and snook outside; the wet season begins. Fish early — the afternoon storms build by noon. Tarpon on the beaches and at the river mouths on the outgoing; snook in the surf.
- JulyPeakWet season: dawn on the outside, snapper in the creeks. Beach snook and late tarpon at first light; mangrove snapper thick in the creek mouths; the backcountry is bugs and heat after ten.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeakRedfish schools build; the bait run starts on the outside. September reds on the outside bars and beaches with the mullet; snook and tarpon follow the bait along the outside.
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish jack crevalle near Marco Island, Everglades City, Chokoloskee
Mangrove islands, tidal creeks, oyster bars and the outside beaches from Marco south to Cape Sable, then Florida Bay's shallow basins and banks. Almost none of it developed. The most tide-driven water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 2,179 grass flat, 42 dock / pilings, 40 pass / inlet, 30 beach / surf, 5 channel edge spots in the The Ten Thousand Islands & Everglades map area — the kinds jack crevalle hold on.
What to use for jack crevalle
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Leader30–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook3/0–5/0
- Jig head1/2–1 oz
- Braid20–30 lb
Feeds in 66–92°F water, best at 72–88°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch jack crevalle in The Everglades?
Peak season is April–October. Jack crevalle are here year-round.
Where do jack crevalle hold in The Everglades?
Look on pass / inlet, beach / surf, grass flat, channel edge — around Marco Island, Everglades City, Chokoloskee, Flamingo.
What is the best bait for jack crevalle in The Everglades?
Live bait: pilchards (whitebait), finger mullet, pinfish. Pilchards (whitebait): Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore. Tackle: leader 30–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook 3/0–5/0, jig head 1/2–1 oz, braid 20–30 lb.
What are the rules for jack crevalle in The Everglades?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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