"Jacks are a very reliable target, especially when you have bored or hot kids on the boat with you. July gets pretty hot, and if the winds die down it can be pretty tough. Chasing shrimp boats for jacks puts a little wind on the kids, and when you get a hookup it's just icing on the cake," Hare noted.

You might think that all the boats would be at anchor during the day, but Hare said there are always a few dragging the bay during the day in the summer.

"Most shrimp boats do work the bay at night, but there are plenty more that work the ship channel up into the day. Most of these will be pulling at or just below the northernmost boundary of the open shrimping area. So I would suggest folks head north for this type of action," Hare said.

PELICAN POINTERS
Jack crevalle are not the only predators to enjoy the oily flesh of the pogies. Large flocks of pelicans roam Mobile Bay in search of schools of menhaden during summer. Once the menhaden are found by the pelicans, the huge birds start dive-bombing the bait school, plunging their long bills into the water in an attempt to scoop a few for dinner.

Because of the size of the big birds, they can be seen for quite a distance. The splashes the pelicans make also are quite visible signs of this feeding activity. In Mobile Bay during summer, pelicans chasing menhaden from above usually means there are jack crevalle beneath the bait.

By approaching from the upwind side of the pelican activity, you can let the breeze push your boat into the action without dispersing the jacks with engine noise. Once you're within casting range, lob a menhaden or cigar minnow into the fray for a chance at a hookup.

If your boat has a trolling motor, keeping up with the jacks is easier than counting on the wind to keep you in casting range. Try to establish the direction the fish are heading and then stay just ahead of them.

This type of action is also ideal for trying to hook some jacks on artificial lures. Some of the best artificials to entice jack crevalle are large silver spoons. Other effective lures are large Rapala jerkbaits and MirrOlure plugs. Move the baits quickly through the schools for the best success.

Once the school of fish scatters or dives, you can start looking for more pelican activity. When you're searching the bay, this is when carrying along a good pair of binoculars can pay off.

TACKLE TIPS
Most of the jacks you encounter are going to be brutes. With that in mind, it's best to rig heavy. If you are going to anchor for jacks, a good stout 6- or 7-foot rod with a tough reel is fine. Be sure to spool with at least 30-pound-test line and a 50-pound leader.

If you are going to be fishing for jacks where a lot of casting is required, you might try a 7 1/2-foot rod coupled with a spinning reel spooled with 25-pound-test line.

For hooks, you can get away with No. 12 or larger circle hooks.

CONCLUSION
Since jacks are not food fish, Noel Nelson has strong feelings about catch-and-release, even though the fish are plentiful.

"I wish everyone would use circle hooks when fishing for jacks. The fish slash after the baits so quickly that the circle hooks wind up right in the corner of the mouth, making for an easy release. Standard J-style hooks are often swallowed, ending up gut-hooking the fish. If you are not going to eat the fish, you should use circle hooks to keep mortality rates to a minimum," he argued.

If your favorite species lets you down, or you just want to do battle with a fish that can test your skill and endurance, the jack crevalle of Mobile Bay are waiting on you this month!