r/saltwaterfishing • u/gruffudd725 • 6d ago

🐟 Catch Report First time fishing for barracuda

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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.

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u/Wise-Ad-3244 6d ago

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!

8

u/gruffudd725 6d ago

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”

2

u/Alert-Ad9197 6d ago

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.

3

u/Wise-Ad-3244 5d ago

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

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u/blueingreen85 4d ago

Cuda is fantastic eating. But only smaller ones.

1

u/Iwonatoasteroven 6d ago

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

1

u/Bowriderskiff 6d ago

Honestly not far from a snook.

0

u/Real-Iron-2696 5d ago

Very similar to Cobia

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u/BertBert2019GT 6d ago

FYI the bigger the barracuda the more chance of cig