Species: Barracuda
The Barracuda, speed with teeth. The aggressive nature of the Barracuda makes it a fun target to cast flies to. A curious nature, coupled with speed and agility give fly anglers a show they rarely forget. Once hooked, a blinding run with intermittent jumps often resembling the leaps of sailfish is the norm.
Barracuda, like sharks, are often associated with bonefish, and are generally found in the vicinity of big bonefish schools. Very few anglers leave for a day of "Cuda" fishing, but many fly anglers rig extra rods with wire and long streamers in order to take advantage of big Cuda sightings.
Barracuda do have extremely sharp teeth and have a reputation for using them. As a general rule anglers do not wear flashy jewelry or gear. Attacking flashing objects is programmed into these fish, it is what they do for a living. Once in a blue moon people are cut by a Barracuda, but with proper handling and the proper gear these fish can be caught and released in a safe manner, and are certainly worth the trouble and photo op. The men's fly rod record for this fish is 48 pounds, the women's record is 35 pounds 14 ounces. The women's fly rod record for twenty pound tippet is only 9 pounds 12 ounces and is just begging to be broken. The all tackle record for Barracuda is 85 pounds.
Little to nothing is known about the spawning cycle of the Barracuda, it is thought that they spawn offshore with the fertilized eggs left to drift and disperse in the ocean currents. Little is also known about ages of Barracuda. Studies suggest that a Barracuda over 4 feet in length is at least 14 years old. There is also no way to tell males and females apart with the human eye. It is only by dissecting reproductive tissues that this can be deduced. It is known that males are heavier at age than females.
Barracuda have a very large jaw gape, which allows them to prey on a variety of other fish, even large ones. The cutting ability of the Cuda's teeth is enough to reduce the size of anything. On the flats Barracuda are usually solitary, but they will sometimes form small groups, and will hunt together in a pack. Any fly angler that has spent time flats fishing has probably lost a hooked bonefish or two, to an aggressive Cuda, or have at least seen the chase. Cuda will also eat mullet, snapper, herrings, grunts, jacks, mackerels and/or just about anything else it can catch. They are very opportunistic feeders and will take a well presented Cuda fly most of the time.
Equipment
- 8 - 10 Weight Fly Rods
- What we use: Sage TCR, Sage Xi2, Winston Boron IIX
- 8 - 10 Weight Saltwater Reel
- What we use: Tibor Riptide, Abel Super 8 - 10, Galvin Torque 8 - 10
- Floating Saltwater Line
- What we use: Scientific Angler Mastery Series Saltwater Fly Line
- 6 Foot Leader Tapered to 20lb with 40+ lb Wire Shock
- What we use: 6 foot section of tapered leader with a small swivel on the end connected to heavy wire section with a Haywire Twist. A minimum twelve inch length of wire should be used.
- Heavy duty, long nosed Hemostats and/or a Boga Grip
- These will help keep your fingers a safe distance away from the cuda's teeth.
- Flies
- Flies are generally long streamers made from synthetic materials. Stinger hooks are used, but not always necessary.
Technique
Catching Cuda on the fly is a matter of stalking the fish and then presenting the fly without spooking the quarry. Then once you have the Cudas attention, strip the fly as fast as you can go. The Cuda will hit on the run, so anglers must be very ready for the first explosive run, often with several amazing jumps as well.
Barracuda are generally docile once landed, but extreme caution is still necessary to get hooks removed and the fish revived. A good pair of hemostats and a Boga Grip will greatly aid in safely catching and releasing these toothy fish.