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Great Barracuda
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Sphyraena barracuda |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | 72-82°F (22-28°C) |
| Technique: | Jigging, Trolling |
| Lure Type: | Jigs, Spoons, Trolling |
| World Record: | 39.55 kg (87 lb 3 oz) Christmas Island, Kiribati |
| Other Names: | 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.
Latest Great Barracuda Fishing Reports and Spots
What a blast! A group of guys were down for business meetings and some have been friends since middle school and they all wanted to fish. The (
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I had Bryan today for some bonefishing but he wanted a back up plan to ensure he caught some fish. We fished high and low for bonefish and the (
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David from yesterday's trip was here to attend the Dolphins/Bills football game and so was todays clients Scott and Evan. We stuck to the west (
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Arshak booked me for a 6 hour trip and had a blast catching a bunch of species and ended up booking me for the following day. I have to tell y (
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96 Recfishwest Newsletter View this email in your browser Recfishwest Fishing Report 16/09/22 Jim Bastow @primal_instinct_fishing absolutely na (
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We started our morning catching bait pretty easily and hopped offshore to put them out. We picked up a king and a couple Spanish before hopp (
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Always cool to catch a Barracuda! Bennett Wong caught this toothy beauty with Capt. Bill offshore fishing in Sanibel Island! Call or book your (
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This green season brings some rain but the bite is still good today we went inshore and we have clients from Texas we are looking for a rooster (
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Happy Fourth of July! I had two cool guys fishing with me today but boy I was not looking forward to fishing in the Mayhem that is typically Fo (
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These were two great guys from Boston John and his friend who were down here with a group of friends to party but these guys love fishing. The (
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