Great Barracuda - Sphyraena barracuda

Great Barracuda - Sphyraena barracuda

March 26, 2010

Baby barracuda


This little guy was fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be within casting reach. Younger son and I were pitching the net across the canal in hopes of finding some juveniles for my upcoming book, "Fishes of Chesapeake Bay". We'd shredded the net on oysters in our efforts, but managed to land quite a few specimens.
Interestingly, this barracuda was quite docile. It did not flip-flop or squirm. It posed nicely for several pictures and was released somewhat unharmed. It did lose a few scales in the process, but may be imortallized in the book.
OF NOTE: Baby barracuda find harbor in marshes, canals, under pilings. Once large enough, they move offshore and school with like-sized kin. As full adults, they menace wrecks and reefs. Great on fly and tackle. Some folks like to eat them. We let them go.

1 comment:

  1. Hi, I am wondering if I can use your picture of the baby barracuda for a juvenile fish ID card I am making? Can you email me at liz@americagofishing.com.

    Liz Lombardi, America Go Fishing, Inc.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting!