Great Barracuda

The great barracuda is a long, silvery, torpedo-shaped predator with a pointed head, a jutting lower jaw, and a mouth full of fang-like teeth, usually marked by a few dark blotches scattered on the rear flanks. Large eyes and a lean build suit a fast visual hunter.

It haunts tropical and subtropical Atlantic reefs, flats, wrecks, channels, and nearshore waters, often hanging nearly motionless beside structure or over a flat, watching.

Barracuda are high-speed ambush predators that hover and then explode on baitfish and smaller gamefish. On the flats they are sight-fished with fast-moving tube lures and plugs retrieved as quickly as possible to trigger a reaction strike, while around reefs and wrecks they take live bait and trolled offerings. A wire leader is essential against their teeth. They attack with startling speed and leap wildly when hooked, and most are released.