Rio Colorado Fishing

Continuing from my previous post, The Tarpon That Tested Mark, the next highlight that comes to mind is the brute of a jack crevalle caught by guest Zilu Min during the first week of our stay. Rio Colorado fishing is known for big tarpon, but many overlook the fact that this part of the Caribbean is also home to some impressive jack crevalle!

A Hidden Gem in the Rio Colorado

The Rio Colorado is a hidden gem for anglers seeking the impressive jack crevalle. Though we don’t often find them in the giant feeding frenzies you might encounter further north in the Gulf or off the west coast of Africa, they do appear from time to time. More often, we work areas where we’ve spotted tarpon, and these same spots often host numbers of jacks working the same baitfish shoals below the surface.

Leading up to this day, we noticed that the jacks were particularly focused on anything in chartreuse or red, especially near low tide. The week had been a fun one so far, with a bit of healthy competition brewing between the three guests. We usually fish with two anglers per boat, but with only three anglers—Xuan, George, and Zilu—we rotated the anglers each session. One boat had two anglers, while the second boat had me and the remaining guest.

Now, George had experienced some very bad luck with losing fish and failing to convert bites. The running joke was that one of us had the “black cat” curse—though we had no idea who it was, haha. Before this session, I was paired with Zilu, as she had been humourously accused of being the negative force (all in good spirits, of course). I was determined to prove that she wasn’t the one! I’ve had the privilege of guiding many female anglers over the years, and what I particularly appreciate about them is their lack of ego, laser focus, and willingness to take advice from their guide. Looking back over my ten years of guiding, I can comfortably say that whenever we had a lady in camp, she would almost always land the biggest fish of the trip. Lady Luck, perhaps once, but consistently? I don’t think so!

The Plan for the Day

On our way out, I briefed Zilu on our plan: we’d start by working some shallow areas close to the shore on the fuller tide, targeting tarpon, and then, as we neared low tide, we’d head to search for a big crevalle.

The morning was fairly quiet, with only the occasional tarpon sighting—nothing to get overly excited about. As we approached the low tide, I told Zilu it was time for Phase 2 of our plan. We moved to an area near the northern side of the river mouth, where a lot of baitfish could be seen struggling in the strong current flowing out of the Rio Colorado. Now, Zilu is not an overly serious angler—she had come on holiday with her partner—but she was still keen to land a nice fish if the opportunity arose. After a solid morning working hard for a tarpon on fly, the heat was starting to take its toll on her. I offered to put out a bait for her to just relax and wait, but she wasn’t keen on that idea. Instead, she opted for a chartreuse bucktail jig, which she could work slowly during our drift.

The Jack That Came Through

On our first drift, we spotted a couple of jacks hammering some sardines, and we knew it was only a matter of time! Just as I was about to suggest we reposition, a very panicked shout came from the back of the boat—Zilu was on!

The fish took off at a frightening speed! Holy moly, it was truly impressive, especially considering how tight the drag was on the Stella. Zilu applied maximum pressure, but she was feeling the strain. We tried to help as much as we could, but she was adamant that, despite her arms feeling like they were going to be pulled off, she was determined to show the boys she wasn’t the “black cat.”

The fish dived deep, came back to the boat, and then shot off on another furious run. I might get roasted for saying this, but honestly, I believe that pound for pound, a jack crevalle could outfight its cousin, the giant trevally, any day of the week!

After what felt like an eternity, Zilu finally had this big jack next to the boat, and our trusty skipper, David, grabbed it by the tail. A massive cry of relief and excitement rang out across the entire Caribbean—Zilu had done it!

We took a few photos before releasing the fish. No matter what happened after this, you could not wipe the smile off Zilu’s face.

About the Jack Crevalle

The jack crevalle is a highly aggressive predator found throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and the Gulf of Mexico. Known for its powerful runs and fighting spirit, this fish is a prized catch for anglers. They are typically found in shallow waters, often near structures like jetties, reefs, and river mouths. Jacks are opportunistic feeders and will target anything from small baitfish to crustaceans. Their hard-fighting nature and quick, explosive bursts of speed make them an exciting species to target, especially on light tackle or fly.

Book Your Own Adventure

If you’re looking to land your own impressive fish like Zilu’s jack crevalle, why not plan your next fishing adventure with us? Whether you’re targeting the mighty tarpon or the powerful jack crevalle, we provide the perfect setting for a memorable fishing experience. Get in touch to reserve your spot today, and let’s make some unforgettable memories on the water!