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Fish of South Padre Island

Crevalle jack

Identification, habitat and South Padre Island field notes for crevalle jack.

A deep-bodied, blunt-headed, hard-fighting jack with a dark blotch on the gill cover, a steeply
convex forehead and the row of bony scutes along the tail base that all jacks share. Texas fish
average two to five pounds; the state record is 50.25 pounds and 52.25 inches, from 1976. Juveniles
are abundant in the surf and later move into the bays; smaller fish school around bay structure while
larger ones school offshore near pass and river mouths, pushing into the bays in September and
October. Best fishing is May through August. TPWD's verdict on eating them is tactful — edible, but
not considered very desirable — which is precisely why crevalle jack are among the best catch-and-
release sport fish on the coast.

Source-backed field notes

  • The Texas state rod-and-reel record crevalle jack weighed 50.25 pounds at 52.25 inches, caught June 26, 1976 by Francis Lyon. (State Saltwater Records: Rod and Reel — TPWD)
  • The Lower Laguna Madre water-body record crevalle jack is 20.31 pounds, 40.00 inches, caught July 11, 2014 by Marco A. Ramirez. (All-Tackle Records for Lower Laguna Madre — TPWD)
  • Texas fly-rod state records for this sub-topic: crevalle jack 30.00 lb / 40.00 in (Sep 17 2009, Ronald Cruse, Clouser); Spanish mackerel 6.60 lb / 30.88 in (Jul 29 2007, Christopher Golla); African pompano 8.60 lb / 30.00 in (Aug 28 2006, Stan Nabozny, white chum fly); Gulf kingfish 0.88 lb / 12.50 in (Nov 10 2001, Thomas Sheehan); southern kingfish 1.19 lb / 14.25 in (Jul 9 2000, Galveston Bay, Kenneth Thyssen). (State Saltwater Records: Fly Fishing — TPWD)

Observe responsibly

Wildlife, tides and access conditions change. Keep a respectful distance, do not feed wildlife, stay out of dunes and marked nesting areas, and use current official rules before fishing or handling any catch.

Useful next steps

Before you keep a fish

Fishing limits & special rules

Checked . These are dated summaries, not a live season check. Recheck the official rules before fishing, especially for federal waters or a charter trip. A good forecast does not mean a fish can be kept.

Texas waters and Texas landings

Applies to: Texas salt water / Texas landing · recreational · Crevalle jack

TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.

Check the Texas authority for the water, method, and fish identification that apply.

  • TPWD general rules prohibit taking, killing, or disturbing threatened or endangered fish.
  • Other Texas rules can still apply, so use the linked TPWD page before keeping a fish.

Source date or edition: 2026-09-01 through 2027-08-31

Official sources

Federal waters — check the official rule

Applies to: Gulf federal waters / federal rules · recreational · Crevalle jack

We have not confirmed the federal limits for this fish. Check the official rules before keeping it in federal waters.

Use the official federal authority for the applicable waters and trip type.

  • Texas limits do not establish what you may keep in federal waters.

Official sources

Licenses, measuring fish and responsible release · Check island conditions

From field guide to outing

Plan a fishing outing for crevalle jack

Choose a place, check the season and make this outing your own.

Season

Warm periods bring frequent surface activity, but moving schools can appear whenever forage and water conditions align

Habitat and areas

Gulf surf, passes, jetties and bay channels, often around fast-moving bait

Scan for bait eruptions or strong current at the pass rather than casting continuously into empty water

Time of day

Choose daylight so you can assess access and footing. Tide, wind, water clarity and recent fronts can change the plan; no hour guarantees a bite. Check the official marine forecast and ask a local operator about your date.

Bait, tackle and approach

Poppers, spoons, plugs and sturdy baitfish imitations are common

Cast ahead of the moving school and retrieve decisively. Use a smooth drag because even modest fish pull hard

Carry dehooking tools and check your licence, current limits and any closures with TPWD. Confirm federal rules when applicable. Watch for teeth and sharp spines.

Choose a place for this outing

Habitat match means the setting fits the species' habitat—not a sighting report or a percentage. Not assessed means we have not established that match. Color always has a text label.

Select a place to see how it relates to this species.

Read the place guides before choosing →

Saves the place, your interest, selected timing and suggested supplies. It does not book anything. Your existing trip stays intact.

More about Crevalle jack