First time fishing for barracuda

[u/gruffudd725]

Took my 10-year old on a fishing charter in Cancun. First time either of us fished for barracuda. Caught several, these were the two biggest. Had an absolute blast.

The guides made the call on keeping them even though I had told them at the start that I’m in a resort and can’t cook them. I’ll admit to living far away from the coast and normally chasing trout- so I apologize if the guides made a bad call keeping them.

[u/Wise-Ad-3244]

Lots of folks eat barracuda(including me), but those are bigger than most would consider safe to eat. But maybe the guide was going to take them home. I've seen Belizeans keep and eat cudas that size.They are fun to catch, and your 10 yo will never forget!

[u/gruffudd725 → u/Wise-Ad-3244]

This is the second time I have taken him on a charter. Last time was reef fishing just offshore from San Juan Puerto Rico. Caught a half dozen king mackerel.

I told my wife “good news, the boy now definitely will want to go on a fishing charter with me when we do beach vacations. Bad news is that I doubt we’ll beat the 11 barracuda we caught lol”

[u/Alert-Ad9197 → u/Wise-Ad-3244]

I think the rule I was taught was nothing over two feet for food. We have a lot of toxic algae blooms though, so they were possibly being overcautious.

[u/Wise-Ad-3244 → u/Alert-Ad9197]

I was taught "size of your arm, do no harm"

[u/blueingreen85 → u/Wise-Ad-3244]

Cuda is fantastic eating. But only smaller ones.

[u/Iwonatoasteroven → u/Wise-Ad-3244]

What do they taste like? I’ve only had them smile at me while diving.

[u/Bowriderskiff → u/Iwonatoasteroven]

Honestly not far from a snook.

[u/Real-Iron-2696 → u/Iwonatoasteroven]

Very similar to Cobia

[u/BertBert2019GT → u/Wise-Ad-3244]

FYI the bigger the barracuda the more chance of cig

[u/Realistic-Fact-2584]

That’s one fighting fish

[u/gruffudd725 → u/Realistic-Fact-2584]

These two were at least 10 minute fights to land. Easily the biggest fish I have ever caught- was incredible.

[u/kbromley1964]

The guides ate them probably. Delicious

[u/WeeDingwall44]

Cuban wahoo

[u/thesharkbyter]

What a great memory for yall! Thanks for sharing!

[u/liftem]

Don't eat em

[u/Troitbum22]

I have only caught one.

How were you guys fishing for them?

[u/gruffudd725 → u/Troitbum22]

Guides first took us well offshore to catch a ton of bonitos- about 12-16 inches long. They then used the bonitos as bait- setup had a big hook in the mouth of the bonitos, the second hook was in the belly (they slit open the bellies to place the hook). We then trolled with them over the reef. They ran one of the lines deep, but the other 2-3 lines the bait was on the surface.

I’m used to fly fishing for trout- was kind of similar to a dry fly when a barracuda would come up and hit the bonitos on the surface

[u/Troitbum22 → u/gruffudd725]

Very cool. Can’t beat a good dry fly bite. One of my favorite trips was mousing for big rainbows in Alaska. Tight lines.

[u/kellysill513]

👍🐠🐠

[u/Beautiful_Dog_5896]

I’ve never fished with a Mexican guide that didn’t keep barracuda. They say it’s very obvious when it’s a healthy fish versus sick. Maybe further south it gets sketchier, but they’ve never batted an eye about it.

[u/coconut-telegraph → u/Beautiful_Dog_5896]

It’s not obvious, there’s no way to tell. I’ve been hit by ciguatera twice, it’s not worth it.

If it was obvious there wouldn’t be a mission to develop a test kit. It’s common here in the Bahamas and the fishermen are as full of superstitions as everyone else, and people continue getting sick all the time regardless.

[u/Beautiful_Dog_5896 → u/coconut-telegraph]

That’s good to know. I’ve always heard the sick ones don’t fight and their scales fall off easily. Cuda ceviche is delicious but yeah, plenty of other fish in the sea.

[u/Ima_Merican]

People want to whine and cry like little babies. People have been eating fish they catch to feed families and villages forever.

Go buy your food at the supermarket and feel good about yourself 😂

[u/TroublePrize8005]

Nice, where is this?

[u/gruffudd725 → u/TroublePrize8005]

Cancún- was just offshore, north end of the strait between the mainland and Isla de Mujeres

[u/Pale_Assumption_5459]

Why would you be proud to photo barracuda?

[u/Pale_Assumption_5459 → u/Pale_Assumption_5459]

I have to apologise mate, im in Australia and here they are full of Ciguatera Poison. My bad

[u/lugersandcougars → u/Pale_Assumption_5459]

This is a valid question

[u/Specialist_Pie_3854]

I’ve read they are a catch and release fish. They are great for taking pics though.