Blue Runner, Everybody July 11, 2004
(Caranx crysos)
OTHER NAMES: Hardtail Jack, Runner, Blue
Jack
RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and the
Caribbean.
HABITAT: Not choosy; inshore to deep
sea.
DESCRIPTION: Similar in shape to the Crevalle,
but with a more gently rounded head. Color ranges from steel blue to light
green with white underparts. Hard scutes forward of
tail.
SIZE: Schooling Blue Runners are about the same
size, averaging under a pound and often under a half-pound. Fish weighing
1-2 pounds aren't unusual, and individuals up to 4 pounds or so are
sometimes taken offshore. World record 11 pounds, 2 ounces; Florida record
7 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Pretty good, but seldom
eaten.
GAME QUALITIES: Blue Runners fight so well for
their size that guides often have trouble tearing their customers away,
after stopping to catch some Runners on spinning tackle for use as
offshore bait.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and
fly tackle with live shrimp, cut pieces of fish or small artificial jigs
and flies.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still
Fishing; Trolling.
Return to July 2004 Page
Return to Turners Homepage
Updated 07/12/04