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The Great Barracuda is often caught by accident. Or rather, they are often the annoyances that bite the bait, or hooked fish, in half. They frequent temperate waters and can often be found on reefs in tropical areas. While they are not particularly fussy fish, you should use the right lure and equipment if you want to reel one in. So what are the best lures for Barracuda?
Glad you asked! In this article, we’ll go over our top 4 best lures for Barracuda. These lures have caught us more Great Barracuda than any others.
Let’s get to it!
Top 4 Best Lures for Barracuda
1. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater Fishing Lure
Choose a Rapala X-Rap in a shiny color and use it along a reef’s edge. This lure is best for casting and retrieving and is strong enough to maintain against the Barracuda’s teeth. This specific Rapala is designed for saltwater species. It can be used for Barracuda as well as almost any other saltwater fish (like Kahawai).
The lure is tested for maximum efficiency and has holographic inserts. This makes it an enticing and believable lure for species like the Barracuda, which has such keen eyesight. It’s also strong enough to withstand the Barracuda’s razor-sharp teeth.
2. Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait XR10
This particular lure is ideal for a species like the Barracuda. They are intelligently designed to mimic a darting action. It can be trolled at a depth of up to 8 feet and it has a classic Rapala action. The X-Rap also features an integrated rattle to entice fish. It’s designed so that it suspends and rests, which helps to entice a bite. It’s our favorite for fishing for barracuda from shore.
3. Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow
Use the Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow the same way you would use the Rapala we mentioned above. Or, if you don’t feel like casting and retrieving, then you could troll. Troll this lure behind a boat, but remember to give it an enticing twitch every now and again. Also, pick a shiny color to attract the Barracuda.
4. Acme Kastmaster Lure
This lure is sure to withstand the Barracuda’s onslaught. It is made from solid brass, and a predator’s teeth will be no match for it. Aside from Barracuda, you could use this lure for steelhead, salmon, Queenfish, and other predators of the deep blue. The Acme Kastmaster Lure with Tube
It is categorized as a medium-heavy spinner. It is ideal for both salt and fresh water and can be utilized when trolling, spinning, or even baitcasting.
Techniques for Catching Great Barracuda
Whether you use bait or lure, this species is screaming to be hooked. They are a curious species and will investigate anything new in their territory. Although they are predators, they will not merely go for anything that moves. When fishermen are able to observe them, they have seen the Barracuda following potential prey from a stealthy distance.
And just when it seems it’s time to lunge, the Barracuda will change its mind, losing interest. Anglers have often experienced this with their lures. If they cast and don’t get a bite at first, the Barracuda is likely to be uninterested. This is why many advise using the cast and retrieve technique.
If you want to troll, this can still be successful but remember to twitch the rod periodically. Barracuda rarely congregate in schools. The only exception is that they will gather during the spawning season.
However, this is usually only for short time frames and won’t be long-lasting. Juveniles are more likely to stay in pairs or groups. But even this is unlikely. Large mature barracudas will almost always be solo.
Tackle for Great Barracuda
For best results, use a medium (20lbs – 30lbs) weight saltwater setup. With the Barracuda, you don’t need to get too fancy or complicated. A traditional setup will work well. Make sure your spinning gear is specific for saltwater. You should also be sure to have a good pair of saltwater fishing pliers.
Use a larger rod (approximately 7+) when you use a lure for Barracuda. If you are using bait, then you can get away with using a smaller rod. The same can be said for trolling- you can use a slightly shorter rod if you decide to troll for Barracuda. Although you don’t need to use overly fancy tackle for Barracuda, it is essential you use tackle that can withstand their onslaught.
If you want to use a sin setup, then a Calstar rod will work well with a Daiwa Saltiga reel.
Author Note: Alternatively, a Shimano Trinidad reel will be an excellent choice if you do not want to use spinning gear. Always opt for wire leaders when targeting barracudas. Using a wire leader will save you plenty of frustration as their teeth won’t cut through it.
The Barracuda is found across all the tropical and subtropical waters of the world. They frequent both the deep open ocean as well as the reefs. They are considered one of the fastest swimming fish in the sea and have jagged teeth to rip their prey. Its long and slender body easily distinguishes the Barracuda.
With these physical characteristics, it’s no wonder the Barracuda is so fast. It is designed to be a speedster, with bullet-shaped bodies resembling a racecar. Other characteristic features are their scales with a silver sheen. They have dark bars, similar to thick stripes, on their upper bodies.
Did You Know?
The top speed is around 36 mph (equivalent to 58 kph). That’s faster than the speed limit in most urban and residential areas!
Fishing for Great Barracuda
If you use the wrong lure, they can end up biting and breaking it. And the same goes for your leader. Always use a wire leader. Otherwise, you will just end up frustrated as their teeth can bite straight through anything else.
Talking of their teeth, they have a mouthful of sharp, jagged teeth that will snap aggressively at anything, including you. Anglers should be careful when reeling them and bringing them out of the water. There are many reports of barracudas biting fishermen and even divers.
But there’s no need to be afraid of these fish. You just need to handle them correctly. As for divers, well, they might be a little afraid- and rightly so. Several reports of divers have fingers and parts of the flesh bitten clean off by these fish. They are aggressive. There is no doubt about that.
And that is precisely why sport fishermen target these fish. They are quick on the bite and will take off screaming with the bait or lure. Fishermen need to know how to act and react with skill if they want to land a barracuda successfully.
More Tips for Catching Great Barracuda
While the Barracuda is one of the fastest swimming fish, they cannot maintain the speed. They are sprinters of the seas and will very rarely give a long chase. They will often give one bite, and if interested, will come back for more. That is why fishermen who use baitfish will place a hook in the tail as well as in the mouth of their baitfish.
Top Tip: When using lures, the trick is in the skill. There are several lures that will be successful, but only if you have the skill to use them effectively. The Barracuda is an erratic predator, and so you need to entice it using erratic movements.
Fish them using quick, erratic movements to catch their predatory instincts. Aside from casting and retrieving, some anglers have also had success using other methods. Trolling with plugs and rubber skirts can also yield successful results. The main thing to bear in mind when choosing your lure is that it is strong enough to maintain against the Barracuda’s jagged teeth.
When you are aiming for Barracuda, there are many lures that you could use. Again, as long as it is strong enough against the Barracuda’s teeth.
Great Barracuda Facts
There have been several mentions of the barracudas’ jagged teeth. Their large mouths share not one but two sets of teeth. The first is the outer row. This row consists of smaller teeth. But don’t be mistaken. The teeth may be smaller, but they are razor sharp. These smaller ones are particularly adept at ripping and tearing their prey’s flesh. The inner set is the second set of teeth.
This set is designed to pierce through the flesh. Together, the ripping, tearing, and piercing make the Barracuda a ferocious and fearsome predator. The teeth are all set close together, and the second set is more prolonged, like needles. These needle-like teeth fit into the gaps between the first set so that the mouth can shut.
Why Do They ‘Attack’ Divers?
There are several reports of pole spearfishermen and recreational divers being attacked by a barracuda. This could be because of a few reasons. They are naturally a curious species and use their sight for hunting.
A spear fisherman with fish will be a natural target for this opportunistic hunter. And if a spearfisherman doesn’t have any fish yet, the Barracuda could be lured by the glint of his or her knife. Despite horrifying and sensationalist reports, barracudas will not usually attack unless they feel threatened.
The Great Barracuda is an incredible species to target for recreational and sport fishers. Whether you want to see their ferocity up close and personal or simply get high on the thrill of their fast chase. The ‘Cuda is sure to give you what you are looking for.
Conclusion
Barracudas can also swallow small prey in one gulp, but they will tear large prey in half. They are considered an opportunistic predator with excellent vision. Because they have exceptional vision, anglers should use small hooks when using baitfish.
Although a rattle in a lure can enhance your chances of success, the Barracuda relied mainly on its sight. So, if your lure does not have an auditory enhancement, you need not be concerned.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the best lures for Barracuda.
Happy Hunting!
