Though most anglers were looking for tarpon when they discovered the jack crevalle in lower Mobile Bay, the dependable action these fish provide soon made them primary targets.

No matter what level of saltwater angler you are, there is always that yearning to catch the big one, regardless of species. It is not always the trophy or fish dinner that you are after, but rather the excitement that comes with the strong pull of a big fish.

Visions of taking on a fish that tests your endurance call most folks to the deep blue waters in search of big-game species. But not every angler can afford to own or even charter the size boat that takes, not to mention the gear involved to make this vision a reality.

There is a fishery along the Bama coast that can provide the same excitement, thrills and challenge that even those of modest means can afford. It might not be as glamorous as taking on an offshore species like tuna or marlin, but taking on the jack crevalle of Mobile Bay will have you smiling, grunting and straining in a classic battle of man vs. beast.

JACK FACTS
Jack crevalle have a high angled blunt head with a prominent black spot on the gill cover. The back of the fish is bluish-black in color, with the lower half being a bright silvery-yellow. These jacks have a pronounced forked tail.

Jack crevalle run in schools, usually by size. The fish use a teamwork method of cornering food and attacking. This activity is often seen in slashing, vicious attacks that send prey airborne in their attempts to escape the jacks. After attacks, jacks often regroup for the next assault on their food fish.

Jack crevalle are abundant throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Not given high marks as table fare because of their bloody flesh, the jacks are mainly sought as catch-and-release sportfish.

While jack crevalle are plentiful in the 15- to 20-pound range, jacks do get quite a bit larger. In fact, the present Alabama state record is 39 pounds, 4 ounces.

In an effort to relieve pressure on other highly sought species, many saltwater tournaments on the Gulf Coast have instituted categories or jackpots specifically for jack crevalle. With the lure of cash and prizes for a winning jack, these fish are no longer thought of as trash.

HOW IT STARTED
One of the best methods of tangling with jacks in Mobile Bay during July is to employ chum. Although hardly a new technique, chumming the waters with chunks of fish or shrimp became more prevalent in Mobile Bay about 15 years ago. At the time, however, tarpon were the fish that started the craze.

As the word got out about how effective chumming for tarpon was in the bay, soon the lower southeastern portion of the bay got the nickname "Tarpon Alley."

As many as 30 boats could be seen on a typical weekend in Tarpon Alley chumming and searching for those silver kings. While the chum certainly worked in attracting tarpon, the slicks from 20 or more boats also attracted schools of jack crevalle.

Those tarpon anglers found themselves routinely fighting as many as 20 jack crevalle during a day of fishing. Some of the anglers paid the price the following day with sore arms and necks and even strained backs.

TARGET ZONES
Noel Nelson of Mobile is one of the tarpon anglers who catch their share of jack crevalle. He discovered really quickly that tarpon and jacks are attracted by the smell of chum in the water.

"Many years ago, on a day too rough to venture out in the Gulf, we decided to anchor near a gas rig in Mobile Bay and do a little chumming for whatever would bite. When we hooked a tarpon while catching jacks, everything changed," said Nelson.

"We changed to heavy boat rods and reels spooled with at least 50-pound-test line. We also used 100-pound-test monofilament leaders 5 feet in length. For hooks, we used No. 16 circle hooks. And we used just enough weight to get to the bottom," explained Nelson.

Nelson and his friends starting fishing Tarpon Alley religiously in hopes of landing a tarpon. But they quickly found out how abundant jack crevalle were in the area.