Caranx sexfasciatus

The bigeye trevally is a gregarious reef predator. It is very similar to its Atlantic cousin, the horse-eyed jack, Caranx latus. The school whirls either on the reef or in open water, and when it is frightened it slides towards the deep, revealing itself only by the occasional reflection of a fish turning towards the surface. In rarely fished areas, schools can reach several hundred individuals.

It also can frequently be observed in pairs, one silvery and the other black, the male. Such coloration is also common for other trevallies, such as the GT, the black jack, and even the gold-spotted trevally. This can create confusion, especially since these species often mix with each other.

Bigeye trevallies are present all year round and are found at any time, and like other pelagics rather in combination with strong current. They swim quickly near the structure to surprise their preys.

In its lighter color, in addition to the bigger eye, it can be distinguished from other trevallies by the black spot at the top of the operculum, the absence of mottling and the white tip of the dorsal and anal fins (The GT also has them, but cannot be confused with the bigeye trevally due to its shape).

The bigeye trevally is fished by stalking or bomb diving. Because of its fast movements it can be challenging to adjust the shot but the skin and the skeleton of the fish being resistant, it is rare to tear. This fish is quite vigorous but because of a weight not exceeding 7-8kg it does not cause any particular problems.

Unfortunately, bigeye trevallies are culinarily close to the GT, so I would not recommend them. On top of that, and this is also true for the GT, an injured bigeye trevally is a shark magnet. I never shoot them, except for burley.