The Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda
Green or grayish above, with silvery sides marked by numerous dark blotches. Tail widely forked with pointed lobes. Two other members of the cuda family might be encountered. The fairly uncommon Southern Sennet, Sphyraena picudilla, grows to about 18 inches, but looks very similar to the bigger Cuda and is usually found in schools. The Guaguanche, Sphyraena guachancho, is much like the Sennet in size, shape and rarity. It can be distinguished by a yellow or gold stripe.
SIZE
The Great Barracuda ranges from foot-long juveniles on shallow flats to 50 pounds or more offshore. Usual maximum is around 30 pounds, with the average being 5-15 pounds. World record 85 pounds; Florida record 67 pounds.
FOOD VALUE
Excellent up to 5 pounds or so. Larger fish sometimes carry Ciguatera.
GAME QUALITIES
On appropriate tackle, the Great Barracuda is one of our most spectacular and able fighters, frequently mixing fast and fairly long runs with greyhounding jumps. In deeper water, such as over the reefs, it can also fight with strength and stamina.
TACKLE AND BAITS
For inshore fishing on the flats and along shorelines, spinning and baitcasting tackle are ideal, and fly tackle will also take plenty of Cuda. The best artificial bait for Barracuda is a tube lure, made from a foot or 18 inches of plastic tubing with wire through the middle and a hook on the end. Fly casters can make or buy similar lures of braided textile materials. Over reefs and wrecks, casting tackle is still a good choice, with light saltwater gear also capable of providing good sport. Live fish make the very best natural baits. The Barracuda also attacks rigged natural baits, such as Ballyhoo, with great pleasure.
FISHING SYSTEMS
Trolling; Casting; Still Fishing.
OTHER NAMES
Cuda Sea Pike Picuda
RANGE
Florida coasts, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT
The Barracuda is at home almost anywhere in South Florida and the tropical islands— from shorelines and bays out to blue water. Although most fish in the shallows are small, it still is possible to connect with a 15- or 20-pounder—perhaps even a larger one—on the flats, or from shore. In Central and North Florida—both Atlantic and Gulf—the Great Barracuda is seldom seen inshore, but is common offshore on wrecks and artificial reefs.
Barracudaaaaa
FS member the BEAST with an aggressive but feisty barracuda.
Barracuda
A barracuda caught by forum member The Beast in the south region.
Silver Bullet
Another picture of a barracuda caught by forum member The Beast.
Cuda
Barracuda caught by forum member The Beast in the south region.
Keys Barricuda
A nice Keys Barricuda just over 50 pounds which was caught using live bait.
The Infamous Barracuda
One of the only fish that can be caught inshore and offshore with its activity being as picky as a permit, or aggressive as a pit bull.
Barracuda Fun
Ryan and Caroline caught this barracuda on a live hardtail.
Tim's Barracuda
Tim caught this large barracuda off Miami.
Feeding Frenzy's Barracuda
Florida Sportsman member Feeding Frenzy caught this large barracuda high speed trolling.
Boynton Barracuda
Dom caught this barracuda while trolling for wahoo in 180' off Boynton.
Berkeley's Barracuda
Berkeley caught this barracuda with Captain Jim off Miami.
Lower Keys Barracuda
Florida Sportsman forum member NauticalWheeler with a Barracuda caught in the Key West area.
Barracuda
Jaime from Tierra Verde caught this barracuda on a successful day of fishing
Port Canaveral Barracuda
This barracuda was taken trolling a weedline off Port Canaveral
Barracuda
This lucky angler landed a nice barracuda trolling off Port Canaveral.
PCB Barracuda
FS Member Beck posted this barracuda from off Panama City.
Barracuda on the Flats
This barracuda was caught on a flat in the Keys and was later used as shark bait.
Geoff's Cuda
Geoff landed this Barracuda 25 miles southwest of the Sanibel lighthouse.
