Bonefish - Permit - Tarpon - Barracuda - Snook

Barracuda

Peak Weight 50 lbs.

Average Weight 3 - 20 lbs.

The Barracuda is curious yet cautious, totally opportunistic and has a mouth full of razor blades. It's also a great light tackle adversary and custom built for casting buffs. Smaller Barracuda, sometimes only 2 or 3 pounds, will school or "pack." Large fish will occasionally be seen in pairs, but usually they're loners. These heavier individuals make superb gamefish and an execeptional addition to the flats. Barracuda are found worldwide in tropical waters. There are at least six species, the largest being the Great Barracuda, a fish not found in the eastern Pacific. It's also the species frequently caught off the coasts of Florida to Brazil.

All the Barracuda fight well and are deft light tackle opponents. On the East Coast, the game is usually sight-casting to fish on the flats. In the Pacific, the fish are targeted by trolling shorelines and casting to out-croppings where they may hold. They are aggressive strikers and make fast runs once hooked. Barracuda can be formidable on a fly rod and give casting tackle a good workout. Along the edges of inshore channels, at piers and canal intersections, a well tossed natural bait will catch a Cuda's eye. Mullet, ballyhoo, and cigar minnows, either cut or whole, can be drifted with the tide. No sinkers are necessary, just let the bait drift until its picked up. Then set the hook and hope for the best..

FLY FISHING EQIPMENT & TACKLE

The same fly outfits used for bonefish and permit can drop a fly close to a Barracuda. Graphite rods in 8 to 10-weight sizes are good tools. The most practical length is 9 feet, and good choices are models made by Sage, Fisher, Penn, and Lamiglass. Fly reels should carry a good amount of backing, 300 yards, and either a floating or intermediate line. Again, the same fly reels used for bonefish or stripers will do for Barracuda. Use a heavy tippet, 16 or 20-lb, and don't forget to use a wire shock leader before attaching the fly. Barracuda Flies differ from most others. The best, called Tube-flies, are made long and thin, giving the fish an illusion of speed and length. I think the Cuda mistake them for the lateral line of a translucent baitfish. Use bright easy-to-see colors.

CONVENTIONAL & SPINNING EQUIPMENT & TACKLE

Barracuda will average anywhere up to 20 lbs, sometimes exceptional fish reaching 30. This marauder is an exceptional 20-lb test adversary, and should be fished with light tackle for maximum enjoyment. Whatever your choice, always use a short wire leader between the lure (or fly) and the line. Casting tackle can include the Ambassadeur 6500C or Penn 940, combined with a rod with backbone. The light Penn 6 1/2- foot Lunkerstick is a good rod, but any model between 6 1/2 and 7 feet and rated for 12 to 20-lb line will fill the bill. Spinning reels such as the Penn 650SS are an excellent choice, having the capacity of carrying a sufficient amount of line without being overly big. Rods in the same lengths as casting models, usually rated as Medium salt water models, make good Barracuda weapons. Barracuda will often bite any shiny object in the water including, sinkers, watches, dive gear and your favorite crystal flash crazy charlie. Be very cautious when releasing these fish.