Top Bar Jack Fishing Countries

The Bar Jack (Caranx ruber) is a fast-swimming, silvery-blue fish found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the Carolinas and Bermuda down through the Caribbean to Brazil. Recognized by the distinctive black stripe along its back and upper tail, the Bar Jack is a popular target for both commercial and recreational fisheries due to its abundance and energetic fight when hooked. Major Bar Jack fishing countries include the United States (especially Florida), Cuba, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean nations such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. While not as heavily targeted as larger jacks or groupers, the Bar Jack is often caught in mixed-species fisheries using nets, traps, and hook-and-line methods. Its commercial value is moderate, with most catches consumed locally or sold fresh in regional markets, contributing to the coastal economies of these countries and supporting small-scale fishers throughout its range.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.