(Sphyraena barracuda)

The Barracuda is one of the top predators of the reef. They are fun to catch and the small cudas are good to eat. Many locals refer to this fish as a “reef pimp”. It is a common occurrence to bring up nothing but the head of a snapper or other fish that a cuda has taken a bite out of. I have swam through schools of hundreds of these fish and they stay there distance, but it is suggested not to wear shiny jewelry in the water because of them.

State Record
67 lb Islamorada Jan. 29, 1949 Harold K. Goodstone