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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.
Table of Contents
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
