Bar Jack

Download the mobile app!

Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.

Check out our new Android or iOS app for Fishing Status.

The long awaited return of our mobie app is back on Apple App Store and Google Play

Bar Jack

Species Information

Scientific Name:Caranx ruber
Common Names:bar jack, carbonero, red jack, blue-striped cavalla, passing jack
Environment:Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore
Ideal Temp:64-92°F (18-33ºC)

About Bar Jack

The bar jack (Caranx ruber), also known as the carbonero, red jack, blue-striped cavalla or passing jack, is a common species of inshore marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The bar jack is distributed through the western Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey and Bermuda in the north to Venezuela and possibly Brazil in the south, with the largest population in the Gulf of Mexico and West Indies. 

The bar jack is most simply distinguished from similar jacks by its dark horizontal bar which runs along the back and down the caudal fin, often accompanied by an electric blue stripe immediately below it. Other more detailed differences include dentition and soft ray counts. The bar jack is a moderately large species, growing to a recorded maximum of 65 cm and a weight of 6.8 kg. The species inhabits clear shallow waters, often over coral reefs where it lives either solitarily or in large schools, taking various fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods as prey. Studies in Cuba indicate spawning occurs between March and August, with sexual maturity reached at 26 cm. 

It is a relatively popular sport fish and can be caught on light tackle with a variety of lures and baits. It is considered to be a good food fish, however many recorded ciguatera cases are attributed to the species, with most cases reported on the island of St. Thomas traced to this single species

Bar Jack Fishing

World Record:3.32 kg (7 lb 5 oz) Martim Vaz Island, Brazil 04-May-2012
# Fish Caught:75598 documented in database.
Earliest Record:1/1/1859 12:00:00 AM and located at 24.66515, -82.85540.
Latest Record:5/28/2024 1:33:45 PM and located at 26.58428, -80.04813.
Common Techniques:Bottom Fishing, Casting, Chunking, Jigging
Popular Lure Types:Bottom Rig, Jigs, Plugs, Soft Plastics, Topwater
Fishing Spots:69 Bar Jack fishing spots.


Latest Bar Jack Fishing Reports and Spots

Kings and Cero With Captain Frank - 1/6/2025 12:34:54 PM

Perfect day for some good fish! Come fishing with us! Please call with any questions! 561-588-7612 The post Kings and Cero With Captain Frank a (View)

Upcoming Privately Chartered Trips - 12/29/2024 12:41:00 PM

December 30th Monday Morning 8am to 12pm has been sold out. Please call us for details on our available trips at (561)588-7612 The post Upcomin (View)

Morning Mahi with Captain Frank + Christmas hours! - 12/23/2024 12:40:33 PM

On December 24th we will be doing a morning trip ONLY! On December 25th we will be closed! Happy holidays from the Bar Jack Crew! The post Morn (View)

Happy Holidays! - 12/25/2024 11:17:45 AM

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays from the Bar Jack Family we hope to see you all back at the boat tomorrow for normal fishing hours! 8 AM – 12 P (View)

Let’s Go Fishing! - 11/16/2024 12:33:19 PM

The Lady K will be resuming trips starting tomorrow Sunday November 17th 2024! Please call with any questions 561-588-7612! The post Let’s Go F (View)

Lady K Schedule Updates - 11/11/2024 8:07:54 AM

The Lady K will be unavailable for trips on the following dates: Annual Maintenance Scheduled from Monday November 11th through Friday November (View)

Lady K Schedule Updates - 8/26/2024 9:03:51 AM

The Lady K will be unavailable for trips on the following dates: Thursday August 29th through Sunday September 1st. Thank you for fishing with (View)

Mahi and Kings with Captain Frank - 8/9/2024 7:19:23 PM

The post Mahi and Kings with Captain Frank appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)

Just Before the Summer Break - 5/28/2024 1:33:45 PM

The post Just Before the Summer Break appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)

Good to be King! Is that Captain Al?! - 5/8/2024 2:38:18 PM

The post Good to be King! Is that Captain Al?! appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)