Yellow Jack: Facts, Records, and How to Catch Them | FishyAF
What is a Yellow Jack?
The Yellow Jack is a sleek, golden-tinted member of the jack family that cruises reefs, wrecks, and bluewater edges like it owns the place. Think: mini amberjack vibes with serious speed and attitude. They smash jigs, live bait, and chum lines, and they pull way harder than their size suggests.
The first FishyAF Yellow Jack was landed by @jennyorn16 — clean drop, tight line, and a bright-yellow blur that lit up the reef and the FishyAF logbook.
This FishyAF guide covers where they roam, how to hook them, and why they’re one of the most slept-on reef sportfish out there. Click here to see what reef runners are wearing.
🐟 Yellow Jack Quick Facts
| Fact | Info |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carangoides bartholomaei |
| Average Size | 3–10 lbs typical; can exceed 15–20 lbs |
| Record Class | Upper-teens/20+ lb fish are trophy Yellow Jacks |
| Habitat | Reefs, wrecks, drop-offs, and current edges in tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters |
| Edible? | Yes — decent table fish; check local guidance for ciguatera in some areas |
❓ FAQs About Yellow Jack
Where can you catch Yellow Jack?
Yellow Jacks are found in the western Atlantic — especially around Florida, the Keys, Bahamas, and Caribbean. They cruise reefs, wrecks, and open-water structure, often hanging near bait schools or riding current edges.
How big do Yellow Jack get?
Most fish are in the 3–10 lb range, but larger Yellow Jacks can push into the upper teens and beyond. Any fish over 15 lbs is a serious trophy for this species.
Are Yellow Jack good to eat?
Yes — they have firm, mild meat that’s great grilled, blackened, or in tacos. As with some tropical reef species, bigger fish in certain regions may carry ciguatera, so know your local risk before filleting giants.
How do you catch Yellow Jack?
Chum and cast small live baits, jigs, or bucktails around reefs and wrecks. They respond well to fast-moving presentations and will often come right up into the chum slick behind the boat.
What’s the best bait or lure for Yellow Jack?
Live pilchards, sardines, or small pinfish are money. On artificials, 1–2 oz jigs, bucktails, and small metals worked quickly through the water column get smoked.
When is the best time to catch Yellow Jack?
They’re caught year-round in warm waters, but action tends to peak when bait is thick and current is moving — early mornings, tide changes, and days with good water flow.
😂 FishyAF Yellow Jack Joke
Yellow Jack — because sometimes the “bycatch” beats everything you were actually targeting.
🚨 WE NEED YOUR HELP…
Our goal is to photograph 1,000 species with the FishyAF Brand. Got a wild Yellow Jack pic? Join our FishyAF Ambassador Awards Program and flex it.
🧢 Gear Up with FishyAF
Reef runs and chum slick chaos call for our Switchback Hats and Offshore Hoodies. Tight drags, loose vibes, full FishyAF.