Family: Jacks&co

Amberjacks are a semi-pelagic species found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. In the Indo-Pacific one will encounter a potentially large species, the almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana), which is commonly found in Europe in the Atlantic, Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde and also on the Pacific coasts of Central America, from Mexico to Colombia.

It resembles the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerilii) but can be differentiated by its stockier shape, intense black stripe in the head and high dorsal fin. More south, there is another cousin the southern yellowtail seriola lalandi. Not observed in Indonesia.

More north one can find the japanese amberjack or yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata. It is called hamachi and often served in sushi restaurants. So if a restaurant serves hamachi, you know more or less what kind of fish this should be…

In the equatorial regions, almaco jacks tends to flee the surface waters and take refuge in the cooler waters of the deep. This is why it is more often caught jigging than spearfishing.

This is the case in Indonesia, where the almaco, improperly named “amberjack”, is rather captured with rod and lures. However, during the summer, when the surface waters cool down (22-24 ° C), it is then possible to observe it occasionally.

As for the wahoo, the size of the specimens usually caught in Indonesia is lower than the world average, a 15 / 20kg fish being a very large specimen, which is not the case for the Pacific coast of Central America, where this fish classically exceeds 30kg.

In Indonesia, I only saw and captured specimens of modest size, between 2 and 8kg. It will be encountered on deep drop-offs, slopes and around FADs.

The flesh of the almaco jack is prized, cooked and even better raw; if you have a chance to encounter one, that’s a worthy catch.

The rainbow runner is a frequently encountered gregarious semi-pelagic predator. In rarely fished areas, schools can reach several hundred individuals. In heavily fished areas, the groups are smaller, of the order of a dozen fish.

The rainbow runner is present all year, at any time, but the large specimens are closer to the coast usually from July to October.

Frequently the school is located upstream of the reef and the wall of surgeonfish and fusiliers, and the ideal is to start drifting far from the pinnacle/ reef and locate them from the surface. A discreet dive, possibly followed by a midwater agachon will usually bring it within shooting range,

The rainbow runner is a classical FAD species.

Because of its fast swimming and its slender shape, it is not always easy to adjust well one’s shot and it is necessary to be careful when pulling back the line to avoid tearing. However, when in large schools, it is possible to try to shoot several fishes with one shot. This fish is quite vigorous but because of its weight not exceeding 7-8kg it does not present any particular problems. Be careful, once shot, it can attract sharks.

The rainbow runner is excellent raw, but just correct once cooked. Despite its modest size, it is thus a valuable prey in the absence of trophy fish, it has several times saved me from empty-handed.

The Cobia is a coastal circumtropical fish that likes warm, sandy waters. It can be found everywhere, in bays, close from the reef, and often on wrecks.

In Indonesia it is rather infrequent. It is easily confused with a shark or a large remora because of its flat and wide head and the shape of its body and fins.

Like the remora, it loves the company of bigger than him and it is not uncommon to observe it accompanying whale sharks or large manta rays.

The cobia moves fairly quickly and is shot either from a certain distance or more closely, but instinctively. Once shot it squirms vigorously in all directions to try to free itself from the shaft and if big, typically more than 20 kg, it will tend to bend your shaft. Definitely a dirty fighter. The top of the head is very hard, do not hesitate to get closer before shooting if only this angle is offered to you.

The cobia is rather hunted with a reel than a breakaway rig, even for big specimens, especially if the depth is limited, allowing a better control of the fish.

The cobia flesh is quite popular, if you are lucky enough to encounter one, do not hesitate to hunt it.