South
Florida Barracuda Fishing
Description:
Barracudas have two completely separate dorsal fins, dark spots
bellow the lateral line and powerful jaws equipped with large canine
teeth that seize and grip its prey, and small, very sharp teeth that
cut it to ribbons. Barracudas are the ultimate marine predator. They
are stealthy and lightening 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.
Where found:
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. Mangrove channels, open
weed flats, coral reefs, current rips, outer reefs, bonefish flats,
mangrove islands, deep pockets in mangroves, edges of flats, wrecks,
pilings, etc. The high and flooding tides are the best time to fish
for barracuda. They move back to deep cuts and holes at low tide.
Size: Barracuda on
the flats are generally less than 20 lbs. Common catches 5 to
15 pounds. Offshore barracuda
are voracious feeders and may grow to 100 lbs and over 6 feet. 3-4
feet is average |
