Leather Jack

Leatherjack, Oligoplites saurus

Rod: Thomas & Thomas HS906S (9’ 6wt)

Reel: Tibor Freestone

Line: Rio Bonefish/clear intermediate tip

Fly: Orvis Super Clouser

Location: Puerto Penasco - flats near inlet of Marua Estuary

Early 2000s

Click on the picture of the above wave, you can see them in there. That's what I look for when sight casting for them in the waves. It's a fast-paced game and often my line is in the air while the wave is coming in and that's when I make my final decision to cast to the target. Waves make looking into the water much easier as it becomes a window into their world.

I love fishing for Leather Jacks. It's a lot of fun wading out a little if needed and looking into the waves or watching for bait disturbances then casting. It's a moving target and sight fishing for them is a dynamic game of estimating where they are going and what they are doing.

I use a six weight, and any number of lines will do. I tend to use clear tipped lines in intermediate or floating configurations as the Leather Jack is typically sub-surface. They surf around in the waves, using the energy of the wave, they are looking for bait or bait that may be stunned from the crashing of the wave. Just about anywhere there are waves, Leather Jacks can be found, even in just a few inches of water, do not hesitate to look for them with a good baitfish fly such as a Clouser or Deceiver. But they will take a crab or shrimp imitation. Shrimp are on the menu for Leather Jack presentations. I’ve caught them on Bonefish Bitters and small shrimp patterns on the bottom.

In the shallows, they may be hunting on the bottom as that is part of their forage for food sources. I've caught them while fishing for different species of pompano and bonefish. They are widespread and give quite a good ffight on a six weight.

See those three finlets (spikes) on top in front of their dorsal and anal fin? That's what to watch for, don't get stuck, the fins seem mildly poisonous in that it hurts a little more than it should if you get stuck. They are not poisonous however, it's a mildly painful sting that you will learn to avoid.