Great Barracuda

Download the mobile app!

Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.

Check out our new Android or iOS app for Fishing Status.

The long awaited return of our mobie app is back on Apple App Store and Google Play

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

Month End Report August 18-31 2024 - 9/1/2024 9:16:00 PM

The month of August always allows me to take a breather from an otherwise really busy season and while many don't travel this time of year it i (View)

Having a great time fishing with Christopher of the coast of Fort Lauderdale - 3/9/2022 4:23:52 PM

Wow what a blast fishing today with Taylor and Chris and O YEA last but nit least 11 year old Christopher.   This young man was all about fishi (View)

Fall Fishing Fort Lauderdale aboard Hooked Up - 10/26/2023 12:52:41 PM

Fishing Fort Lauderdale aboard Hooked Up We’ve gotten through summer and fall is looking great so far. With a little north current the bottom f (View)

Weekly Report August 1-17 2024 - 8/21/2024 9:38:00 PM

These two weeks have been hot but they have been fun!  Fishing with a number of clients I've had the opportunity to fish for different species (View)

Fishing Report Catch Up July 8 thru 31 - 8/1/2024 7:38:50 AM

King Mackerel (Kingfish) Barracuda (Great) Amberjack Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Seabass (Black) Bluefish Little Tunny (False Albacore) Jack (Almaco) S (View)

End of month report July 15-30 2024 - 8/1/2024 10:10:00 AM

The second half of July got HOT and the fishing was still good with most trips being fun catch whatever is fun trips.  These are great trips be (View)

July 7 All Day Wreck/Troll/Live Bait Trip - 7/9/2024 8:37:56 AM

King Mackerel (Kingfish) Amberjack Barracuda (Great) Triggerfish (Gray) Seabass (Black) Trip Summary Started the day off catching live bait for (View)

Tuna and a bonus - 5/19/2024 10:31:10 AM

Josh and the boys aboard the bite me today. we were treated to a great sunrise We set out looking for dolphin in scattered to hell grass we fina (View)

More Fire April 23-30 2024 Report - 4/30/2024 7:14:00 PM

Wow wow wow!  What a way to end the month!  These last 7 days have been solid with just a slow trip mixed in.  We begin this week's report with (View)

On Fire! Week of April 12-14 2024 - 4/15/2024 10:30:00 AM

What a way to end the week!  I love the mullet migration and I love April for so many reasons.  It started with Chris from Sarasota wanting to (View)