Open Year-Round

Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Also known as: Cuda, barry

DPIRD Category Large Pelagic
Peak Season Year-round (tropical)
Difficulty Intermediate
Fight Rating ★★★☆☆
Great Barracuda

Regulations & Limits

LARGE PELAGIC

Limits by Bioregion

West Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
South Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Pilbara N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley) N/A
Species not commonly found in this region

ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au

Size & Weight

Typical Size60-120 cm
Max Size200 cm
Typical Weight3-15 kg
Max Weight50 kg

Habitat

Where: Reef edges, channel entrances and around structure in tropical waters

Depth: Surface to 100m

ID Features: Long, torpedo-shaped body with prominent underbite, large teeth, dark bars on upper body

Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak Available Poor

Peak: Year-round (tropical) | Water Temp: 24-30°C

How to Catch Great Barracuda

1

Trolling

Setup

  • Line: PE 2-4
  • Leader: 60-80lb wire trace

Top Lures

  • Bibbed minnows
  • Stickbaits
2

Casting

Setup

  • Line: PE 2-3
  • Leader: 60-80lb wire trace

Top Lures

  • Metal slugs
  • Poppers
  • Jerkbaits

Eating Quality

★★☆☆☆ Fair (caution)

Flesh: White and firm but larger fish may carry ciguatera toxin

Best cooked: Avoid eating large specimens due to ciguatera risk. Small fish can be grilled or fried

The Fight

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Lightning fast initial strike with a short, aggressive fight. Known for spectacular jumps and head shakes.

Explore More Species

Browse our complete database of 122 species.

View All Species