Nature Coast

Wallflowers enliven winter

Anglers should not overlook cooperative jack crevalle and ladyfish.

By DAVID A. BROWN, Times Correspondent
Published February 9, 2008

A powerful build and perpetual appetite make the jack crevalle a respectable inshore target.
	[Photo by David A. Brown]

ADVERTISEMENT [Photo by David A. Brown] A clear resemblance to tarpon givesthe ladyfish a strong selling point.

The ABC program Ugly Betty follows the life of a young woman whose homely appearance belies an endearing blend of ambition, aptitude and genuine depth that seems tragically out of step with the high-maintenance New York fashion scene in which she works.

The moral: Don't judge a book by its cover. You shouldn't let an individual's physical appearance overshadow talents and abilities.

The same principle applies to two of the most consistently cooperative fish in North Suncoast waters - jack crevalle and ladyfish.

They're not trendy, and they're not cover material. They're the plain vanilla wallflowers of North Suncoast waterways, but when the prima donnas of inshore fishing pout and play head games, jacks and ladyfish become appealing.

Available year-round, both of these fish enjoy a seasonal spike in popularity when winter's unstable weather patterns create tough fishing conditions. While top-shelf sportfish tend to shut down, jacks and ladyfish rarely take vacations.

Both abound in the warm depths of coastal rivers and the Anclote power plant outfall canal, but they'll roam the coastal shallows in all but the nastiest of conditions.

Jack attack

Tinted yellow and built for power, jacks own the dubious title of "day saver" if for no other reason than for their nearly constant availability. Add to this an indiscriminate appetite bolstered by a deep well of fighting ability and you have a fish that comes pretty close to desirable.

Limited only by its low food value and homely looks, jacks have bailed out many a guide when the sexier species refused to cooperate.

Often seen darting across the same shallow grass flats and broken bottom where redfish, snook and speckled trout tread, jack crevalle resemble none of these. If anything, they're occasionally mistaken for pompano - longer pectoral fins and larger mouths are the dead giveaways.

But with a quick overhead glance on a cloudy day, jacks occasionally impersonate redfish. Watch their movement and you'll notice that high-strung jacks never stop moving.

While reds may park on a sandy hump or settle into a grassy carpet, the yellow bullies never slow.

The reason: Jacks swim in packs driven to constant motion by sky-high feeding competition. Eat it now or someone else will - that's a jack's perspective.

For anglers, this means the only real requirement for jack baits is that the offering must include a hook. Short of that, sling whatever you want and there's a good chance a jack will at least give it a good chomp.

Commonly productive options include the same jigs, soft plastic jerkbaits and topwater plugs you would throw for snook, trout and redfish. Live shrimp, sardines or pinfish rigged under corks or free-lined won't last long when a school of jacks spot the chow.

Despite fierce battles, jacks usually bolt when released. Unhooking one of these powerful fish can be a handful, unless you squeeze the dots on the fish's gill plates.

Ladies in waiting

If nepotism counts for anything, the ladyfish boasts a weighty relation in the mighty silver king. Megalops atlanticus, the tarpon is the largest of the elopidae family, including the ladyfish (Elops saurus).

There's no denying some strong similarities between a ladyfish and a tarpon.

A long, silver physique is the obvious starting point. Add to that a thick, bony jaw, big eyes and a knack for aerial acrobatics and you have some rather strong family resemblances.

Great for fly rod practice, ladyfish strike aggressively and leap instantly.

The tarpon impersonation is a good one, but there's far less pressure when you're tugging on a 2-foot opponent, as opposed to one that weighs 100 pounds or more.

Nevertheless, ladyfish bring their own game whenever they spot a jig, jerkbait or topwater plug.

Theirs is a rapid, slashing style, so you'll often feel a few sharp hits before your line comes tight.

Once connected, you'll enjoy a spirited tussle, but know this: Ladyfish have a nasty habit of pooping on boat decks.

Hold this fish over the water when unhooking or face a most unpleasant clean up job.

A place in the food chain

Ladyfish aren't generally considered for food, but don't say that to other predators. The oily flesh puts a lot of scent in the water, so grouper diggers who luck into a few ladies will do well by dropping generous hunks of meat on heavy rigs.

Anglers targeting the shallow rocks from Bayport to Homosassa often work the flats to round up a handful of ladyfish before hitting the limestone reefs in 6 to 12 feet of water.

Moreover, when spring ushers the kingfish migration into local waters, trolling a stinger-rigged ladyfish is a good bet for tempting a toothy attack.

Fresh is best - it's a must for kingfish trolling - but the next time ladyfish rule your day, toss a few in the freezer and you'll be in good shape for future grouper missions.

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 20:41:35]