Great barracuda Fishing

The large Red Sea barracuda, a different species from the small Mediterranean Sphyraena sphyraena, and in Egypt it is found only along the Red Sea and Sinai coast. It hangs alone on the edge of reef flats and strikes hard at bright, fast-retrieved lures. Use a 12-16 cm spoon or stickbait, always with a short wire trace. It waits at the edge of a bait school, so sweep the back of the school. Take great care with its teeth when boating the fish.

Sphyraena barracuda

Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Season calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Active periodSpawning period — release what you catch

Season
January–December
Water temperature
23–31 °C
Spawning
April–June
Behaviour
Daytime active, open water

Techniques

  • Spinning
  • trolling
  • jigging

Frequently asked

When is the best time to catch great barracuda?
The productive window for great barracuda runs January–December. April–June is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
What water temperature does great barracuda feed in?
Great barracuda is most active between 23 and 31 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
How do you fish for great barracuda?
Common methods: Spinning, trolling, jigging.

Species that fish under similar conditions

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