Horse-eye Jack

{
  "id": "ce7dcef3-61c2-45e2-aef0-3b75d47740df",
  "commonName": "Horse-eye Jack",
  "scientificName": "Caranx latus",
  "slug": "horse-eye-jack",
  "category": "saltwater",
  "aliases": [
    "Big-eye Jack",
    "Horse Eye Jack",
    "Big-eye jack",
    "Goggle-eye",
    "Trevally",
    "Caranx",
    "Jack Crevalle (often confused)",
    "Horse-eye trevally"
  ],
  "description": "The horse-eye jack is a powerful and unmistakable silver bullet of the coastal seas. Built for speed with a deep, laterally compressed body, its most striking feature is the large, reflective eye, a dark orb rimmed in silver that gives the species its common name. Its back is a steely gray or greenish-blue that fades to a bright, shimmering silver on the flanks and belly. Anglers will recognize the pronounced, black spot on the gill cover and the distinctive black tips on the trailing edges of its dorsal and anal fins. Typically caught in the 3- to 8-pound range, it can reach upwards of 15 pounds, with large specimens approaching the dimensions of their greater amberjack cousins.",
  "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/horse-eye-jack/main.webp",
  "hero": {
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    "altText": "Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus) watercolor",
    "caption": "The horse-eye jack is a powerful and unmistakable silver bullet of the coastal seas.",
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  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "464391ac-fc85-4209-aaed-6589515d8619",
      "name": "Juvenile",
      "slug": "juvenile",
      "description": "Young horse-eye jacks form tight, nervous schools in shallow, protected coastal waters. In this life stage, they are opportunistic feeders, targeting small crustaceans and baitfish while constantly evading larger predators. Their schooling behavior is a key survival tactic, creating shimmering, silver flashes that confuse attackers.",
      "appearance": "Small, deep-bodied, and highly compressed. Overall coloration is a bright, reflective silver with a faint greenish or brassy sheen on the upper back. The characteristic large, dark eye is already prominent. Vertical dark bands (typically 5-7) are often faintly visible on the flanks, especially when stressed. The black spot on the gill cover is present but may be less pronounced. Fins are generally translucent with minimal dark tipping. Size ranges from a few inches up to about 10-12 inches in length.",
      "triggers": null,
      "habitat": "Shallow inshore waters, including estuaries, mangrove shorelines, tidal creeks, and sheltered bays. Often found over sandy or muddy bottoms near structure.",
      "anglersNote": "Commonly caught by light-tackle anglers in backcountry areas; provides excellent sport on appropriate gear but rarely a targeted trophy at this size.",
      "displayOrder": 0,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    },
    {
      "id": "74f8fa1d-1a9e-4df3-948b-2ac4c4be7bf5",
      "name": "Adult",
      "slug": "adult",
      "description": "The adult horse-eye jack is a powerful, roaming predator of the open coastal environment. It forms large, fast-moving schools that patrol reefs, ledges, and current lines in search of schools of baitfish. This phase represents the classic, hard-fighting jack that tests an angler's tackle and stamina with blistering runs and dogged determination.",
      "appearance": "A robust, muscular silver bullet with a deep, laterally compressed body. The back is a distinct steel gray, blue-gray, or greenish-blue, sharply transitioning to brilliant, mirror-like silver on the flanks and belly. The large eye is a defining jet-black orb, often with a bright silver iris ring. A pronounced, oval black spot is clearly visible on the upper edge of the gill cover. The soft dorsal and anal fins have distinctive, sharply defined black tips on their trailing lobes. The caudal fin is deeply forked and dark gray to blackish. Size typically ranges from 3 to 15 pounds, with larger specimens showing a heavier, more robust shoulder and a darker, more pronounced back coloration.",
      "triggers": "Maturation and movement from inshore nurseries to deeper, open coastal habitats.",
      "habitat": "Coastal seas, including offshore reefs, wrecks, ledges, drop-offs, and in the turbulent water around buoys or current rips. Often found in mid-water or near the surface.",
      "anglersNote": "The primary target phase for anglers. Prized for its powerful fight and often caught while chumming or sight-casting to schools. Excellent table fare when bled and iced immediately.",
      "displayOrder": 1,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    }
  ],
  "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:31:42.538Z"
}

[]

[]

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  "description": "Horse-eye jacks are powerful coastal predators known for their large eyes and silver bodies. Anglers prize them for their strong fight on light tackle.",
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  "ogDescription": "The horse-eye jack is a fast, silver predator of coastal waters, recognized by its large eyes and black fin tips. Learn where to find these hard-fighting fish and how anglers target them.",
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