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Great Barracuda
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Sphyraena barracuda |
| Common Names: | barracuda |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | 72-82°F (22-28°C) |
About Great Barracuda
The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) also known as the giant barracuda, is a species of barracuda. Great barracudas often grow over 6 feet (1.8 m) long and are a type of ray-finned fish.
Great barracudas are large fish. Mature specimens are usually around 60–100 cm (24–39 in) in length and weigh 2.5–9.0 kg (5.5–19.8 lb). Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). The record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kg (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even bigger specimen measured 2 m (6.6 ft) and weighed 50 kg (110 lb).Barracudas are elongated fish with powerful jaws. The lower jaw of the large mouth juts out beyond the upper. Barracudas possess strong, fang-like teeth that are unequal in size and set in sockets in the jaws and on the roof of the mouth. The head is quite large and is pointed and pike-like in appearance. The gill covers do not have spines and are covered with small scales. The two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the first having five spines and the second having one spine and 9 soft rays. The second dorsal fin equals the anal fin in size and is situated more or less above it. The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is situated above the pelvis. The hind end of the caudal fin is forked or concave, and it is set at the end of a stout peduncle. The pectoral fins are placed low down on the sides. The barracuda has a large swim bladder.
In general, the barracuda's coloration is dark green or a blue type coloration or grey above chalky-white below. Sometimes, a row of darker cross-bars or black spots occurs on each side. The fins may be yellowish or dark.
Barracudas appear in open seas. They are voracious predators and hunt using a classic example of lie-in-wait or ambush. They rely on surprise and short bursts of speed (up to 27 mph (43 km/h) to overrun their prey, sacrificing maneuverability. Barracudas are more or less solitary in their habits. Young and half-grown fish frequently congregate in shoals. Their diets are composed almost totally of fish of all kinds. Large barracudas, when gorged, may attempt to herd a school of prey fish in shallow water, where they guard over them until they are ready for another hunt.
Great Barracuda Fishing
| World Record: | 39.55 kg (87 lb 3 oz) Christmas Island, Kiribati |
| # Fish Caught: | 92948 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 7/2/1792 12:00:00 AM and located at 12.00000, 54.00000. |
| Latest Record: | 5/19/2024 10:31:10 AM and located at 35.21816, -75.69606. |
| Common Techniques: | Jigging, Trolling |
| Popular Lure Types: | Jigs, Spoons, Trolling |
| Fishing Spots: | 2620 Great Barracuda fishing spots. |
Latest Great Barracuda Fishing Reports and Spots
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 22/03/24 Dampier's pristine waters on full display. This g (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 15/03/24 Photographic proof of how stunning Hopetoun on th (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 08/03/24 Ever think about a location to fish that you just (
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March 4th 2024 – Figuring out what the weather will do is no science it’s more like a magic 8 ball. Seeing what the last 3 months have provided (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 16/02/24 You know the pelagic action has peaked when you c (
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The Lady Pamela Sportfishing Team is riding high into February delivering thrilling offshore experiences in Southeast Florida. Our guests are (
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