smoked 'em

About a week and a half ago, I became a Jack Crevalle convert. Always threw back until a neighbor borrowed these two 14 lbrs. ensuring me they were great smoked. He was right!! Crystal River w/trout equipment and Bourbon colored Mirrolure 'lil Johns in 4 foot of water.
u2s

Attachment 262828Attachment 262829

Shhhhh. Not supposed to tell nobody. Great on the grill with italian dressing marinade too. Lots of fish that people scour about are rather good. Just look back 20 years ago and nobody ate Amberjack.

Looks good Doug ! !
WTG ! ! !

That's a couple of studs there Doug. I tasted one smoked for the first time in the mid nineties and waved money at the fella for more, but it was his lunch and no luck there. I was impressed, especially since everyone at that time told me they were a trash fish. Absolutely love their aggressive nature, fight like the devil himself.

UP-2, I'd say your trout gear is pretty durable, those jacks give you your moneys worth of a fight every time !!

Never caught any that big... But the fight from the minis I caught were awesome!

Keep throwing em back, they're no good... Throw those mullet back too :)
I haven't smoked a jack, but will now. Fried and grilled they're great

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Originally Posted by Speckanator

Never caught any that big... But the fight from the minis I caught were awesome!

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So true Micah, actually caught my personal best(15 lbs) out of Cedar Key about 5 years ago same technique. Actually, it brings to mine the saying "where there's smoke there's fire"...definitely FIRE in these smokers!! Ability to chase in boat was key to success, landing all three of these bruisers about 300 - 400 yds from hookup location. Would have easily been spooled all three times. I believe JC and bonito(never caught an amberjack) are lb 4 lb the linebackers of the inshore fishery.
u2s

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Originally Posted by up2specks

So true Micah, actually caught my personal best(15 lbs) out of Cedar Key about 5 years ago same technique. Actually, it brings to mine the saying "where there's smoke there's fire"...definitely FIRE in these smokers!! Ability to chase in boat was key to success, landing all three of these bruisers about 300 - 400 yds from hookup location. Would have easily been spooled all three times. I believe JC and bonito(never caught an amberjack) are lb 4 lb the linebackers of the inshore fishery.
u2s

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Guys at Bass Pro think I am crazy spooling my reels with 325 yards of braid instead of just topping with 125-150 yards. Get a big jack or big bonito and they can make quick work of 200 yards of line in a hurry. Speaking of bonito, that is next on my list to tempt. Talked to a fellow that said to bleed and ice immediately and then after about 15 minutes in ice slush gut and gill. Clean em and take all bloodline out and treat like tuna and will not be able to taste the difference. Gonna try one next time i catch one. I have kept in past for cut bait and chum. But if they make table fare, even better to catch em.

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Guys at Bass Pro think I am crazy spooling my reels with 325 yards of braid instead of just topping with 125-150 yards. Get a big jack or big bonito and they can make quick work of 200 yards of line in a hurry. Speaking of bonito, that is next on my list to tempt. Talked to a fellow that said to bleed and ice immediately and then after about 15 minutes in ice slush gut and gill. Clean em and take all bloodline out and treat like tuna and will not be able to taste the difference. Gonna try one next time i catch one. I have kept in past for cut bait and chum. But if they make table fare, even better to catch em.

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They (can) make great table fare. Just cut the sides down to the bone in both directions in about 1" cubes, then filet.
Then store/freeze cubes in gallon size bags till next time you head offshore.
In a pinch Skipjack will work also. lol
But seriously, if I have a choice, i'll take a bunch of Grunts fried up over about anything else that swims.