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Blue Runner
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Caranx crysos |
| Common Names: | blue runner, bluestripe jack, Egyptian scad, hardtail jack, hardnose jack |
| Environment: | Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Surf |
| Ideal Temp: | 63-82°F (17-28°F) |
About Blue Runner
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.
Blue Runner Fishing
| World Record: | 11 lbs 2 oz (5.05 kg) - Dauphin Island, AL - 1997 |
| # Fish Caught: | 312508 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1820 12:00:00 AM and located at 43.55000, 10.31667. |
| Latest Record: | 4/6/2024 6:10:00 PM and located at 25.78888, -80.25030. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing, Casting, Chunking, Fly, Jigging, Trolling |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig, Flies, Jigs, Plugs, Soft Plastics, Spoons, Trolling |
| Fishing Spots: | 5 Blue Runner fishing spots. |
Latest Blue Runner Fishing Reports and Spots
This first week of April I had mainly all charters where clients wanted to just caught anything and have a good time. It started with Brian Ga (
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Had to laugh a little as I read through the marine forecast (see below)...if you have a favorite wind direction to fish on it's a safe bet it's (
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This has been a solid week with daily trips and weather work arounds. It's been windy and cloudy in Miami for the most part this week but fis (
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The week of Thanksgiving always finds me busy but boy this was another level. I had regular client David and his friend Clay on Sunday for a (
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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. (
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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 (
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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 (
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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 (
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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 (
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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 (
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