Pacific Crevalle Jack
Jurel toro
Caranx caninus · Carangidae
- Category
- Yellowtail & Jacks
- Found in
- Pacific Baja, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mainland
- IUCN status
- Least Concern
- Mexico fish counts
- 60 counted, 2 so far in 2026
About Pacific Crevalle Jack in Mexico
How to recognize it
Pacific crevalle are blunt-headed, deep-bodied jacks with a greenish-blue back, brassy silver sides, and a yellowish tail. Like their Atlantic cousin, they show a black spot on the gill cover and a dark mark near the pectoral fin, along with a row of bony scutes in front of the tail. They are often confused with the Atlantic crevalle jack, but this is a separate species confined to the eastern Pacific.
Where and when in Mexico
In Mexico the fish is jurel toro. It ranges along the Pacific side of southern Baja, through the Sea of Cortez and down the mainland coast, favoring beaches, river mouths, lagoons and rocky points. East Cape and the Los Cabos beaches hold them alongside roosterfish, and Banderas Bay near Puerto Vallarta is another well-known area. Warmer months are usually best. Mexico Fish Reports' counts are modest: some from Cabo San Lucas boats over the years and a group from Puerto Vallarta boats in 2012.
How it's fished
Pangas slow-troll live mullet, sardinas or caballito along the beach, and many fish are hooked while hunting roosterfish. Casting poppers and stickbaits into surface boils, or throwing jigs and spoons from shore, also works well. Fly anglers wading East Cape beaches target them too.
Good to know
A fish of any size will test tackle, so use a strong drag. They are not prized for eating and are commonly released.
Fishing rules in Mexico
- General limit: 10 fish per angler per day, max 5 of one species
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994 §4.9.1 (2013 mod.). Rules change; confirm current limits, seasons and permits with CONAPESCA before you fish.
Where Pacific Crevalle Jack are caught in Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas 39 counted · last Jul 2026
- Puerto Vallarta 21 counted · last Mar 2012
Fish counts by year
| Year | Kept | Released | Trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2012 | 29 | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 2007 | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
From fish counts posted by the Mexican landings on Mexico Fish Reports. Years with no posted counts are not shown.
Boats catching Pacific Crevalle Jack (2025–2026)
- El Budster Pride Cabo San Lucas 2 counted on 1 trip
More Yellowtail & Jacks
Full Pacific Crevalle Jack species profile on FishDatabase.com »