Bar Jack

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Caranx ruber
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore
Ideal Temp:	64-92°F (18-33ºC)
Technique:	Bottom Fishing, Casting, Chunking, Jigging
Lure Type:	Bottom Rig, Jigs, Plugs, Soft Plastics, Topwater
World Record:	3.32 kg (7 lb 5 oz) Martim Vaz Island, Brazil 04-May-2012
Other Names:	bar jack, carbonero, red jack, blue-striped cavalla, passing 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

Latest Bar Jack Fishing Reports and Spots

Fishing for Thanksgiving Break - 11/20/2023 8:59:25 AM

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Happy Thanksgiving! - 11/22/2023 6:06:27 PM

The Lady K will not be running trips this Thanksgiving. We hope to see you Friday or for the weekend! The post Happy Thanksgiving! appeared fir (View)

Good Days on the Water with Great People - 10/19/2023 9:47:41 PM

The post Good Days on the Water with Great People appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)

A Gentlemen’s Catch - 10/18/2023 4:50:16 PM

The post A Gentlemen’s Catch appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)

Lady K Drift Fishing - 10/7/2023 6:58:23 PM

The post Lady K Drift Fishing appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)

A Good September’s End - 10/1/2023 4:56:12 PM

The post A Good September’s End appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)

Unavailable Trips for October - 10/6/2023 9:10:00 AM

The following trips have been reserved privately and will not be available for fishing: October 7th 2023 Afternoon from 1pm to 5pm All other tr (View)

September Memories - 9/24/2023 8:26:08 AM

The transition into Fall weather gave us some good catches for our guests. Please call us for details on a fishing adventure aboard the Lady K! (View)

Cobia Yellowtail Kings Mahi - 9/7/2023 3:40:55 PM

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Fish Fry - 9/9/2023 4:12:27 PM

The post Fish Fry appeared first on Bar Jack Fishing. (View)