Blue Runner

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Caranx crysos
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Surf
Ideal Temp:	63-82°F (17-28°F)
Technique:	Bottom Fishing, Casting, Chunking, Fly, Jigging, Trolling
Lure Type:	Bottom Rig, Flies, Jigs, Plugs, Soft Plastics, Spoons, Trolling
World Record:	11 lbs 2 oz (5.05 kg) - Dauphin Island, AL - 1997
Other Names:	blue runner, bluestripe jack, Egyptian scad, hardtail jack, hardnose jack

The Blue Runner (Caranx crysos), also known as the bluestripe jack, Egyptian scad, hardtail jack or hardnose, is a common species of moderately large marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The blue runner is distributed across the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Brazil to Canada in the western Atlantic and from Angola to Great Britain including the Mediterranean in the east Atlantic.

The blue runner is distinguished from similar species by several morphological features, including the extent of the upper jaw, gill raker count and lateral line scale counts. The blue runner's colour varies from bluish green to olive green dorsally, becoming silvery grey to brassy below. Juveniles often have 7 dark vertical bands on their body. Fin colour also varies, with all fins ranging from to dusky or hyaline to olive green. The species also has a dusky spot which may not be distinct on the upper operculum. The blue runner is known to reach a maximum length of 70 cm and 5.05 kg in weight, but is much more common below 35 cm. The species inhabits both inshore and offshore environments, predominantly over reefs, however it is known to congregate around large, man-made, offshore structures such as oil platforms. Juveniles tend to inhabit shallower reef and lagoon waters, before moving to deeper waters as adults.

The blue runner is a schooling, predatory fish, predominantly taking fish in inshore environments, as well as various crustaceans and other invertebrates. Fish living offshore feed nearly exclusively on zooplankton. The species reaches sexual maturity at between 225 and 280 mm across its range, with spawning occurring offshore year round, although this peaks during the warmer months. Larvae and juveniles live pelagically, often under sargassum mats or jellyfish until they move inshore.

The species is also a light tackle gamefish, taking baits, lures, and flies; but is often used as bait itself, being a mediocre table fish. The blue runner is used extensively as live bait for larger fish, including billfish, cobia and amberjack.

Latest Blue Runner Fishing Reports and Spots

Jaws on the flats June 2 2023 - 6/2/2023 6:21:00 PM

Lisa had booked a trip for her kids to get out and so some fishing.  Well the kids wanted to catch anything that was fun and have a good time.  (View)

Two days three trips June 14-15 2023 - 6/15/2023 6:54:00 PM

On Wednesday I had two trips.  My morning trip was with Gustavo from New Jersey originally from Argentina.  Gustavo has been fly fishing for a (View)

Grinding today January 10 2023 - 1/10/2023 8:08:00 AM

Joe and I hadn't fished in a few years but we did today along with his friend Milan.  Milan is a hardcore fisherman willing to wet a line in a (View)

New Year's Eve Report December 31 2022 - 12/31/2022 1:06:00 PM

I had a full day with great long time and local client Chris with his grand daughter Nicole and her boyfriend Carlos.  These are such great peo (View)

What a way to break him in December 11 2022 - 12/11/2022 10:39:00 AM

Ok I realize the title sounds bad but read on.   Mike emailed me at the last minute asking if I was available Sunday afternoon.  Ouch that is t (View)

Fun Fishing -Boat Problems! - 12/2/2022 9:30:05 AM

I had a freak part break last week and it almost kept me off the water. The bracket on the starter broke not letting the motor start and we had (View)

Hurricanes and cold fronts we still catch em! - 11/20/2022 3:22:09 PM

I am fishing with brothers Thomas and Raul today in the Everglades back country. We are back here a few days after Hurricane Nicole passed thru (View)

Four days with Mike November 14-17 2022 - 11/20/2022 9:01:00 AM

Mike and I always have a great time and these four days were no exception.  We changed it up between Biscayne Bay and Everglades National Park (View)

Weekend Fishing Outlook (11/4-11/6/2022) - 11/4/2011 9:49:00 AM

OFFSHORE- Bit of a windy weekend ahead...to put it mildly. A few days of NE wind in the forecast (unfortunately without much of a temperature dr (View)

Cooler waters – more species - 10/23/2022 8:05:46 AM

The water has cooled down with the recent fronts in the clearwater/Stpete FL. Bait has been plentiful with scaled sardines threadfin shad ladyf (View)