Disclosure: We may earn commissions if you purchase products after clicking on a link from our site.

Do you want to learn how to catch barracuda? A barracuda grows to be a big and powerful fish. When it is hooked, a barracuda will put up a serious fight. Barracuda can be found all around the world and along the Atlantic coast up to the Gulf coast. In this article, we will share information to help you learn how to catch barracuda.

How To Catch Barracuda
How To Catch Barracuda

How To Catch Barracuda From The Shore

Barracudas are usually found close to structures like rocks, coral reefs, fallen trees, jetties, piers, bridges, and branches. When you fish for barracuda from the shore, fish close to structures like wrecks, docks, bridges, piers, and coral reefs, and use baits like ladyfish, pinfish, shrimps, etc.

Barracuda likes to take a bite of the bait and come back to get more of it. If you feel a strike and it then drops off, just let the bait sink and continue holding your line as it will most likely come back for more of the bait.

Use a 7 to 8-foot heavy spinning rod with fast action. A reel with a heavy drag system, like a 6500-sized reel, is recommended for catching barracudas. A braided line like a 60-pound line will work for catching this powerful and large fish. Since a barracuda features powerful teeth, you want an abrasion-resistant line.

A fluorocarbon leader is a good choice for a leader even though many anglers prefer wire leaders. Wire leader will decrease the bites. Additionally, circle hooks will work well for catching barracudas and a 9/0 circle hook will do the job.

Tips For Fishing Barracuda
Tips For Fishing Barracuda

How To Catch Barracuda In The Keys

Barracuda can be found in flats, backcountry, coral reefs, wrecks, and many other places. They are easy to find. When fishing for barracuda in the Florida Keys, you don’t want to be seen by barracudas, not even your boat. You can catch barracudas with baits and lures. Casting long is the best choice you have when fishing for barracuda. Fly fishing, drift fishing, trolling, and sight fishing are other fishing methods to use when fishing for barracuda.

How To Catch Barracuda At Night

Barracuda come out at night to feed as the fishing pressure is reduced. They will be more active as they are less cautious about predators. This is good news for the anglers as using live bait will increase your chances of landing barracudas. Live bait such as squid, prawns, and tambans work well when fishing at night. Casting, jigging, and bottom fishing can be used when fishing for barracuda at night.

Best Baits For Barracuda

1. Ladyfish

Ladyfish is a good bait for barracuda, especially live ladyfish. It is a big bait for barracuda that is very effective in attracting barracuda.

2. Spanish Sardines

Spanish sardines are also a good bait that always gets barracuda.

3. Pinfish

Pinfish is one of the best baits for barracuda including herring, sardines, and ballyhoo.

4. Squid

Squid is a reliable bait that many anglers use to catch barracuda.

5. Shrimp

Shrimp is also used as bait to catch barracuda.

6. Blue Runner

Blue Runner is also in the same category as herring, sardines, and ballyhoo as one of the best baits for barracuda.

7. Herring

Herring is considered one of the best baits to catch barracuda.

8. Ballyhoo

Ballyhoo is also one of the best baits to catch barracuda like herring, sardines, Blue Runner, and Pinfish. You can’t go wrong with them.

Tips For Barracuda Fishing
Tips For Barracuda Fishing

Best Lures For Barracuda

1. Jigs

Hair jigs is a good lure that works well for catching barracuda.

2. Spoons

Trolling spoons are very effective in catching barracuda.

3. Tube Rigs

Tube rigs are a great bait for catching barracuda as they imitate eels.

Ideas For Fishing Barracuda
Ideas For Fishing Barracuda

Barracuda Fishing Tips

1. When fishing for barracuda with lures, use a fast retrieve.

2. Use chumming to attract barracuda. You can use live bait for chumming.

Ideas For Barracuda Fishing
Ideas For Barracuda Fishing

3. Use a pair of polarized sunglasses when fishing for barracuda. It will reduce the glare and help you locate them in the water.

4. Minimize the possibility of injury by unhooking the barracuda while it is still in the water. Pull the leader tight and use long-nose pliers to remove the hook from its mouth.

Fishing Barracuda
Fishing Barracuda

5. Tube rigs are one of the best artificial lures you can use to catch barracudas.

6. Make sure your bait stays on top of the water when fishing for barracuda. They are often found in the upper third of the water column scanning the water for prey.

Barracuda Fishing
Barracuda Fishing

7. Barracuda is very cautious and will investigate the prey before striking. Therefore, for the best results, use the best live bait to catch them.

8. If a barracuda follows your lure but is hesitant to strike, instead of slowing it down and twitching it, rather speeding up the retrieve is more likely to bring out a strike from it.

Barracuda Fishing Tips
Barracuda Fishing Tips

9. Cast long and far away to avoid barracudas seeing you. If they spot you, the fishing is over.

10. Don’t use large hooks as barracudas have good eyesight.

11.  Wire leader isn’t the best choice when fishing for barracuda. It will increase the ratio of fish you hook and catch, however, it will lower the overall strikes by about 50%.

Barracuda Fishing For Beginners
Barracuda Fishing For Beginners

12. Barracudas can grow as large as 100 pounds.

13.  Plastic worms are effective when fishing for barracudas. If you fish in areas with a lot of fishing pressure, plastic worms of 6 to 8 inches rigged on a 3/0 hook can prove to be very effective. Don’t use them like the way you set them up when fishing for bass. Crank the worm fast and wiggle the rod tip to produce an undulating motion when a fish gets interested.

14.  Barracudas are very fast and can reach speeds of more than 40 miles per hour in a short period of time.

Barracuda Fishing Ideas
Barracuda Fishing Ideas
What is the best lure for barracuda?
Tube rigs are one of the best artificial lures to catch barracudas.
Are barracudas easy to catch?
Barracudas can be found everywhere and eat almost anything. With their curiosity, they are easy to catch, but they ferocious fighters and you must be prepared for the fight. You also must have a durable line and leader to withstand the fight.
How do you attract barracuda?
You can attract barracuda by chumming with live baits, ladyfish, shrimp, pinfish, etc.
What is the best time to catch barracuda?
Spring and summer are the best times to catch barracudas.
Is barracuda a good eating fish?
It is commonly stated that adult barracudas, over 30 inches, are not good to eat as they carry ciguatera toxin, but the smaller ones are edible.
What color are barracudas most attracted to?
It is stated that barracudas are attracted to shiny or glittery objects.
Can barracudas hurt you?
Barracudas are large and powerful. Additionally, they have very sharp teeth. Be careful with your fingers when handling barracudas. Moreover, it has been reported that barracudas do attack humans.
Are barracudas active at night?
Barracudas are active at night and they are considered to be nocturnal.

The Bottom Line

A barracuda is a large and powerful fish. They can be found close to structures like jetties, coral reefs, rocks, wrecks, piers, and bridges. When caught, barracudas put up a spirited fight. Therefore be prepared and well-equipped for a fierce fight.

In this article, we discussed how to fish for barracudas. If you are also interested in fishing for other fish like sheepshead, walleye, and pompano, then read how to catch sheepshead, walleye fishing tips, and how to catch pompano.