Jacks are open-water bullies that cruise the inshore flats, jetty corners, beach surf, and inlet currents looking for bait to terrorize. They follow mullet schools and busting bait — wherever you see birds working, jacks are likely involved. The 904 has them year-round but they're most active in warm water.
Yellow-greenish flanks, dark spot on the gill plate, deeply forked tail. Average 5-15 lb in NE FL inshore water; bigger fish (20-30 lb) work the surf and beach. No size or bag limit in Florida — they're not regulated as game fish, and they're not great table fare. Catch them for the fight, release them for the next angler.
Year-round but peak May through October when warm water has them busting bait constantly. Summer the schools push deep into the SJR following pogies. Winter they get scarce in the cold but never fully gone. They're a great rainy-day or kid-trip fish — usually willing, always pull hard.
When you see a school busting bait on the surface, throw anything shiny — a topwater plug, a metal jig, a popping cork with a jighead — into the chaos. They smash anything that moves. Use 20-30 lb leader because they have abrasive jaws. Set the drag tight and hang on; pound for pound they pull harder than any inshore fish you'll catch in the 904.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.