Fishing for Barracuda

The word "Barracuda" brings to mind a long, slender, predatory marine fish with a large mouth filled with a sharp set of fangs and a protruding lower jaw. Referred to as the Tiger of the Sea, the Barracuda is traditionally not sought after as a food fish, but rather is fished for sport in most places.

Barracuda is a name belonging to as many as 18 species of fish who share similar characteristics, but are segregated into different species by size and habitat. The most infamous barracuda species is the Great Barracuda, Sphyraena Barracuda. This species grows to 6 feet in length, and weighs 106 pounds. It's range is from the tip of Florida down to Brazil, and only in the Atlantic Ocean. It likes to feed on small fish that live in or near coral reefs, and hunts using keen eyesight. Typical of its type, the Great Barracuda will drift in a seemingly lazy fashion, but as soon as it catches sight of movement, it zooms towards it at up to 25 miles per hour and snaps it up with its huge jaws and dagger-like teeth.

The jaws on a barracuda are very interesting. There is a special hinge on the jaw so it can open more than 90 degrees! This is somewhat similar to a snake's ability to stretch its jaws open very wide, except the barracuda doesn't unhinge its jaw, it needs it all attached so it can snap the jaws together with lightning speed to catch its prey. A barracuda can slice a parrot fish in half with one bite!

All barracuda live in tropical to sub-tropical waters. The average barracuda species reaches around 1.5 to 2 feet in length. No humans have yet been able to find any outward physical differences between male and female barracuda. They do not care for their young, and scientists are unclear on mating behavior or locations.

Most barracuda will attack anything that moves if their vision is obstructed with murky water, and they will follow divers for over 100 yards when they are curious, but attacks are actually rare.

Fishing for barracuda is usually accomplished with a shiny, flashy object (such as a silver spoon) as a lure, and a wire leader. They can slice right through monofilament line. Be sure to use the right size hook for the species of barracuda you are trying to catch. If using live bait, be aware that the fish will often leap out of the water as you are trying to bring it in. It will put up a powerful struggle, but it doesn't have much stamina, and will tire quickly. When you catch one, be very careful when removing the hook. Those teeth will remove your finger if you're not careful.

Barracuda, any of 18 species of long, slender, predaceous marine fish with small scales, a large mouth with a sharp set of fangs, and a protruding lower jaw. The tail fin is forked, and the two dorsal fins are widely separated. Barracuda are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans (In Hawaii, the barracuda is also called kaku). The barracuda's reputation for being a voracious and fierce hunter is well founded. Plankton-feeding fish, such as groupers, grunts snapper, bream and even young barracudas arc among its victims. The barracuda generally attacks swiftly, charging at its prey at great speed and taking a large snapping bite with its powerful jaws. The barracuda uses its acute eyesight to hunt, and will usually move quickly towards any bright light or sudden movement that might indicate the presence of prey. In murky water, it tends to attack an object even before identifying it. When several barracudas hunt in a group they will often herd their prey together into a dense shoal, forcing the fish towards shallow water. They can then successfully feed on a greater number of fish. The flesh of some of We coral reef fish that the great barracuda eats is poisonous and so the barracuda's flesh becomes poisonous too. This may explain why barracudas in some areas are poisonous, while those from elsewhere are perfectly safe to eat. Smaller species swim in schools, but larger species are solitary. Although barracuda attacks on humans are rare, they are feared by swimmers in some places. Evidence shows that the barracuda can be dangerous to humans when provoked, being attracted to erratic movement (swimmers have been fatally bitten by them) and bright colors. Overall, however, the low number of alleged attacks does not completely support its dangerous reputation.

Barracudas are the ultimate marine predator. They are stealthy and lighting quick. It is important as a game fish and puts up a hard fight when hooked, making extremely fast runs and often leaping from the water, but has little stamina and soon tires. Small individuals may be taken on light tackle fished from a boat, but the larger fish usually stay in deeper water and are fished for by trolling with medium heavy tackle. Despite fair quality white flaky meat, the barracuda is not held in high esteem as a foodfish. They can be caught with cut bait, although the most productive method is a cast lure with a fast retrieve. A wire leader is a must, because of the toothy torpedo's ability to cut through monofilament line. A fair eating fish with firm flesh, best served broiled or sauteed. They move onto the shallow reefs during the summer. Generally considered a trash fish, the great barracuda is one of Florida's most frequently caught, yet underrated offshore game fish. Barracuda are extremely curious, and will follow a boat or diver for hundreds of yards. Barracuda possess a healthy set of teeth, so anglers should use a wire leadger when fishing for the species. Live bait works best, but any lure that puts out a lot of flash, such as a silver spoon, will attract a strike. Tube lures are another good choice. Barracuda leap when hooked using live bait, and take off on thumb-blistering runs. Barracuda are good table fare, but the larger of the species are know to harbor Ciguatera poisoning from eating reef fish, so most barracuda kept for the table are under 30 inches in length.

A note on Ciguatera Poisoning - Ciguatera is a foodborne illness caused by eating tropical and sub tropical fin fish that have been contaminated by dinoflagellates through their consumption of certain algaes, or their consumption of other fish that eat those algaes.

However, a Great Barracuda makes a great trophy fish!