To coin a phrase from the singing group Heart: ( ooohhh Barracudaaaa!!!!). With their strong, muscular body built for speed. And slashing, ninja like feeding habits of wounding their prey then going back for the leftovers. And their most interesting trait of devilish grin especially noticeable when seeing them underwater in their naturally environment. These are some of the most exciting gulf species you may ever find tugging on the end of your line. Although not often sought after by anglers, Barracudas can provide the unsuspecting fishermen with great break neck speed runs especially when using lighter tackle. And with some individuals reaching double digit figures the battles between angler and fish can prove very memorable. Just remember to take care when landing one of these brutes. With their razor sharp teeth this is one species you don't want to lip grip when trying to get on to the boat!! And if you think the adrenalin is pumping while you fighting this fish in the water. Try corralling one on the deck with those chopper going 90 miles an hour in your sandals.
More of an opportunistic than a greatly known hunter, Barracuda when feeding will hit just about anything throw their way. Live bait, cut bait, touts, spoons and the occasional misplaced finger if Mr. Cuda is feeding you don't have to worry about what he will hit. If Sharks could be compared to the lions of the ocean, the Barracudas are the equivalent of the Hyenas of the waters. Especially will the are cruising looking for an easy meal. Their mouths partially closed and smiling gill to gill with those sharp teeth ready to bite down on anything that may pass their way.
One of my fondest memories of scuba diving was when we were coming back to the boat while a deck hand was cleaning fish that he had just got through spear fishing. Casting the heads and leftovers over the side of the boat the portions would get just about 10 foot beneath the bottom of the boat. When a 6 ft. cuda would come cruising by and snap up these delicious discarded delicacies, like a pet dog being feed by his trainer. All the while keeping one eye out for scraps and one eye on us suspended at a safe distance watching the show. If are mouth weren't hold of our regulators they would have been wide open at amazement on how easily he was downing those snapper remains with his seemly endless appetite. With that toothy grin almost laughing at us as to say "this could just as well be you if I wanted to come on over there a grab a chunk!!!!"
Although not sought after for their meat this species is edible! More sought after in southerly water probably for the ease of catching them. When prepared right the meat is not half bad. So be sure to keep this species in mind the next time your cruising around a shrimp boat while he is culling his catch. Or anchored off one of those oil field platforms and nothing else worth catching is biting. And a couple of the annoying fish or cruising around the boat like stray dogs at night looking for trash can to tip over and scatter unwanted debris across your yard in search for a chicken bone. Chunk a lure or piece of cut bait over the side and hang on for a good fight. Because if there is one redeeming quality that Mr. Cuda does possess is that he is dependable. And you will not come out of this confrontation without a few exciting moments, and if not careful a few more scarce!!!!