Jacks
Saltwater Fish Species of The Gambia



Identification
Jack Types: Trevally & Crevalle
Gambian Names: Saka
Scientific Names: Carnanx Senegallus/Carnanx Hippos/Carnanx crysos
General Catch Size: 10lb to 40lb
 

Best Baits: Trolled lures (Rapala CD 16) colour - hot orange being a favourite or surface poppers. Float fished live mullet, drifting at anchor, dead baits; mullet, bonga fillet, prawns & calamari.

Top Tips: Jacks hunt in shoals & when they come across a group of bait fish they force the bait to the surface & attack from below giving a boiling effect on the surface of the water. When this display is sighted from the boat or the shore, the fish are in a feeding frenzy & will take virtually any lure or bait that you can get in the vicinity. When trolling lures from the boat determine the direction of the shoal & run a course to run the lures across the front of the pack.

Alternatively, set the boat uptide in line with the shoal & drift towards it without the engine running casting surface poppers into the frenzy with a fast retrieve. If sighted from the shore, again, cast into the shoal with a lure or heavy bait.

When: All year-round.

Recommended TACKLE

Rod: 20lb to 30lb / 7ft to 9ft boat rod
Reel: Multiplier or Fixed Spool
Trace Line: 50lb mono / 50lb wire trace for lures
Main Line: 25lb - 40lb mono or braid
Swivel: 30lb to 40lb
Hooks: 3/0 Mustard or Owner size 7 catfish hook 5/0 triple strength treble for lures

   
   
African Pompano
Barracuda
Guinean Barracuda
Butterfish
Captain Fish (Threadfin)
Cassava  
Jacks
Ladyfish
Nine-Bone
Shark
Snapper
Spanish Mackerel
Rays
Tarpon

Mark Longster

SEE BOAT CHARTER PRICES