Yellow Jack is a common fish on the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys and Key West. They often run in schools and can grow over 20#. They can be caught all over the reef in all different sizes.
Finicky Eaters
They put up a great fight on light tackle and can be a blast to catch. However, they are strangely finicky and often will look at baits without eating them. Sometimes when chumming for yellowtail they will swim around in the chum slick but will not bite.
When they are in the mood to eat though, they can be very aggressive and smash large live baits and artificials like poppers. Sometimes they eat baits drifted back for yellow tails but can be difficult to land on too light of tackle.
Charter fishing Key West
They are often found on wrecks on the Atlantic side and large reef structures.
Certain times of the year they will run around in large schools on the inshore patch reefs terrorizing the small fish that live there.
Great to Eat!
Unlike Jack Crevelles and amberjack, Yellow Jacks are great to eat with little preparation. They can be fried, blackened and cooked any way you would cook any other white fish.
They are delicious smoked as well and make great sashimi and ceviche.