Ultimately, I dont know that color had that much to do with it. The arapaima is native to the Amazon River in South America and is one of the worlds largest predatory fish. Large barracuda have more time to build up toxin levels, that are directly passed onto whoever eats them. These teeth can cause deep lacerating wounds. BARRACUDA Description: Gray, with a greenish cast above, whitish below; many irregular, small black blotches on lower side; 18 to22 diagonal dark bars on upper side (not always evident); caudal fin dark with white tips; 75 to 87 lateral line scales; no fleshy tip on jaw. But its a barracuda jawline that readily identifies it as a cuda. State laws prohibit false claims or fraud when claiming prizes. The record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kg (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even longer example measured 2 m (6.6 ft). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the record for the heaviest gator caught in the state is a 1,043-pound male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. We dont know., Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Capps told CNN he and his wife were taking a boat ride on the Apalachicola River when they spotted the gator laying up on the bank. The pectoral fins are placed low down on the sides. Fish and Wildlife Service and FWC researchers in the Yellow River. WebWATCH IN 1080 HDspotted this big guy on one of our dives in the keys. State wildlife officials ask anyone who catches or sees an arapaima or other nonnative freshwater fish species in the wild to call the Exotic Species Hotline at 1-888-IVE-GOT1 (1-888-483-4681), report it through the FWCs Ive Got 1 App or report it online at IveGot1.org. Swimmers have been reported being bitten by barracuda, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. They usually hunt alone, but when prey is plentiful, they congregate, snatch, and cause a commotion. Young found inshore in seagrass beds. Gabon, Angola, Louisiana, Texas, Boca Grande, Key West. They are voracious predators and hunt by ambush. The camouflage well and are capable of short bursts of speed making them a very effective ambush predator. His first, a Jack Crevalle caught in 1982, was bested in 1991 by his buddy Nicolson. The head is quite large and is pointed and pike-like in appearance. When humans eat this, it can cause ciguatera poisoning (CFP). 8 oz. On June 26, 1999, Mr. Wayne Hall of Townsend, Georgia had the catch of a lifetime when he beat the current Georgia barracuda all-tackle record with his very large 54 lb. His fish was 59.5 inches long and he caught it on live bait with a straight hook. The largest official barracuda ever caught in the world was snagged in the Kwanza River, Angola, southern Africa by United States angler Thomas Gibson in 2013. I fish mostly from a Kayak and pier along with wade-fishing and shore fishing but I occasionally will go out on a boat with one of my friends. Young have dark stripe on side that breaks Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). He worked it just about as fast as he could, popping and chugging as quickly as possible. If youre ready to pack your rod and discover the largest barracuda ever caught in Florida, youll break a record held since 1949. Its scales are said to be as impenetrable as armor. Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190399A15603115.en, The Human Evolution Blog: "That time I ate a barracuda and got ciguaterapoisoning"; Professor Nathan H. Lents, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_barracuda&oldid=1106611449, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. [3] The spawning season lasts from April to October. Scale used to weigh the fish (showing certification within two years of catch date), Weight displayed on the scale (while the fish is on the scale), Close-up showing the weight displayed on the scale, Full-length view of the entire fish being weighed on the scale, Fish in various views for identification purposes, Full-length side-view of the entire fish (the fins must be fully extended and not obscured with the hands), Side-view close-up of the head of the fish, from the tip of the mouth to the end of the pectoral fin (the jaw or bill must be clearly shown), Any other photos needed to accurately identify the species of the fish. Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). fish caught in the west African country of Gabon in 2002 by Dr. Cyril Fabre. The big fish was 67 lb. Fishermen Discover a, Fishermen Watch As 600lb Marlin Catch Gets, The Largest Great White Sharks Ever Found, The 8 Best Childrens Books About Sharks Available Today, The 10 Best Books About Sharks Reviewed and Ranked, Sea Monsters! Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Diagonal dark bars on upper sides (not always evident) Tail color is dark with white tips. The largest barracuda ever caught in Florida was a great barracuda (Sphyraena barracudapronounced ss-ferry-ena). Plenty of fish to eat around Texas. They are in most shallow or deep water environments around Miami, Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys. This is on the small side compared to other states. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. Catches for these newly-added species must be made on or after Jan. 1, 2019, to qualify. He pulled out all kinds of line, Gibson says. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Its scales are said to be as impenetrable as armor. However, they are clever! He pulled out all kinds of line, Gibson told Field and Stream. On Jan. 1, 2019, four new species were added to the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program blueline tilefish, schoolmaster, white grunt and red porgy. Constantine said the arapaima might be the closest thing to a tarpon, which is a big, athletic fish native to Floridas waters and a popular species for game fishermen. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae, which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815. There is no evidence that arapaima have reproduced in the wild in Florida, the FWC said in an email. Gibson, 75, has since run his tally to more than 1,400 tarpon and counting, and hes added a lot more noteworthy catches to his name, including several IGFA line-class records and a 230-pound tarpon caught in 1993 (pictured at bottom) that still reigns as the Louisiana state record. Mr. Matt Glenn caught the Mississippi State record Great Barracuda on August 21, 2012 on conventional tackle (rod/reel). The largest barracuda ever caught in Florida was a great barracuda (Sphyraena barracudapronounced ss-ferry-ena). The record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kg (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even longer example measured 2 m (6.6 ft). Great barracudas are plentiful around Florida. Recording with GoPro Hero 3 black A valid scale certification number must be included on the application form. Great barracudas are large fish, and one of the largest of the Barracudas. Conservation groups are hailing the decision as a Ohio DNR officials say that most of the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. This massive cuda took the world record from Dr. Cyril Fabre, who hooked a 101.3 pounder (45.9 kilograms) in Gabon, Africa in 2002. He caught his fish to the east of Navy Tower R2. Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5m (4.9ft) and weigh over 23kg (51lb). Barracudas get a bad rap, but in winter, they aggressively hit plugs over shallow Florida Keys flats. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains state records for the heaviest marine fishes caught in Florida state waters or in federal waters extending directly outward of Florida state waters in all-tackle and fly-fishing categories. Gibson, a devoted tarpon fisherman who holds several state records as has been described as the Texas Tarpon Guru, had found the trip to Angola slow going with only a single tarpon landed. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. These spots regularly turn up barracuda from one to three feet, with up to five feet barracuda spotted on occasion too. Barracuda are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, on its western border the Caribbean Sea, and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Big teeth make barracudas scary to novices and an ugly nuisance to many saltwater anglers. The arapaima, because of its varied and voracious appetite, is a threat to native Florida wildlife. They are clever fish, so youll spot barracuda taking hooked fish from a line. Sea Monsters! Only fish caught on or after the effective date will be eligible for records. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the record for the heaviest gator caught in the state is a 1,043-pound male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. The second dorsal fin and the anal and caudal fins range from dark violet to black with white tips.[2][3][4]. Just $1 per month . Always looking for the biggest ones.. Carnivorous barracuda fish are scientifically called Sphyraenidae, but theyre commonly known as cudas or tigers-of-the-sea due to their razor-sharp teeth and ability to hunt pretty much anything living in the water. They have second dorsal fins plus white tips on their anal and caudal fins. Barracudas get a bad rap, but in winter, they aggressively hit plugs over shallow Florida Keys flats. The fish was 18.38 lb. 24,818 People Couldnt Ace This Quiz Think You Can? Corey Capps, right, and Rodney Smith with the alligator they caught on the Apalachicola River. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. These spots regularly turn up barracuda from one to three feet, with up to five feet barracuda spotted on occasion too. Local boat fishermen suggest a steel trace because cuda teeth are razor sharp plus a range of trolled or cast lures or baitfish used for commonly caught tarpon. Sport Fishings Doug Olander caught this cuda on a bone/chartreuse Long Cast Shallow. Florida is a hot spot for enormous freshwater and saltwater fish. These teeth can cause deep lacerating wounds. Divers blogs are full of stories about barracuda attacks that take chunks of flesh or fingers, so dont underestimate them. The largest barracuda ever caught in Florida was a great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda pronounced ss-ferry-ena). It needs to be retrieved quickly. Theres not much information about how he caught it or what tackle he used, but we can assume it was a rod-bending fight. WebLargest exclusively freshwater fish found in North America, measuring 8 to 10 feet. Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). Its rare but yes. Sphyraena barracuda, commonly known as the great barracuda, is a species of barracuda: large, predatory ray-finned fish found in subtropical oceans around the world. WebMouth with prominent, sharp teeth; lower jaw protrudes past upper jaw. It weighed a huge 67 pounds. Slot Limit: 15-36" fork length with 1 fish greater than 36" per person or vessel per day Daily Bag Limit: 2 fish per person, 6 per vessel Season: Open year-round Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.. Includes all waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and For more catch-and-release techniques, see the following: It is preferred that anglers on vessels are photographed wearing personal floatation devices. and was 63.43 inches long. We had a ball, Quinn recalls. WebThe record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kilograms (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even more prominent example measured 2 m (6.6 ft). On his way to catching more than 1,400 tarpon, 90 of which were more than 200 pounds, one big record has eluded Gibson. If not held, fish should be photographed in a rubber-coated, knotless landing net rather than lying on a dock, cooler or boat deck. So me and him, something was going to give between the two of us, he said. Pete Joyce says he saw the alligator's head to his left when it was about 3 feet away from hitting his boat. It took just ten minutes to reel it in! Gibson says tarpon hooked in the top of the mouth often dont leap, and he told Nicolson that was exactly what he believed had happened with his red-and-white Rapala lure. WebDiscover The Largest Barracuda Ever Caught in Florida https://a-z-animals.com/blog/discover-the-largest-barracuda-ever-caught-in-florida/ #fishing No Great Barracuda record listed at their records page. Large barracuda have more time to build up toxic levels, that are directly passed onto whoever eats them. What is the largest barracuda ever caught in Florida? I think its kind of cool, said Captain Josh Constantine, who has been fishing the waters near the Caloosahatchee River for more than 20 years, and has been a guide for his business, Caloosahatchee Cowboys Charters, for more than a decade. The biggest barracuda ever caught was taken by US angler Thomas Gibson in 2013. Gibson said when he first hooked the record breaker it was so large he wasnt sure what it was, but it resembled a crocodile without any legs! Barracudas may mistake objects that glint and shine for prey. The Burmese python, green iguana and lionfish are, by now, well-known invasive species that have established a dangerous foothold in Florida. It took just ten minutes to reel it in! They have second dorsal fins plus white tips on their anal and caudal fins. The arapaima is native to the Amazon River in South America and is one of the worlds largest predatory fish. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Great barracudas are plentiful around Florida. Buddy D. Garten was the angler who reeled up the North Carolina all-tackle state record barracuda in 1985. They have a distinct taste that not everybody likes, but those who do find them a great eating fish. What is that? 24,818 People Couldnt Ace This Quiz Think You Can? Great barracuda are large fish. Divers blogs are full of stories about barracuda attacks that take chunks of flesh or fingers, so dont underestimate them. and 6 foot long! Any caught barracuda under 15 inches must go back into the water and take just one harvested barracuda over 36 inches per day or per vessel (whichever is less). and he caught it at Cape Lookout. It weighed a huge 67 pounds. Georgia Record on Rod Experts say CFP is one of the most common seafood toxin illnesses. Its rare but yes. Florida is a hot spot for enormous freshwater and saltwater fish. The second dorsal fin equals the anal fin in size and is situated more or less above it. The next day, October 13, Smith and Capps went out on the river in a 12-foot jon boat to seek out the creature. Mature specimens are usually around 60100 cm (2439 in) in length and weigh 2.59.0 kg (5.519.8 lb). The fish viciously attack plugs, and when stuck, they launch like missiles. But its a barracuda jawline that readily identifies it as a cuda. All Rights Reserved. Young have dark stripe on side that breaks The biggest one ever caught on rod and reel (hook/line) was a massive 102 lb. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! WebFlorida Sportfishing Species Barracuda Family Sphyraenidae. Gibson was fishing for tarpon near the mouth of the Kwanza River in the African nation of Angola when he hooked the huge Guinean barracuda. Barracuda can live up to 14 years in the wild given they have barely any predators once fully grown. Fish and Wildlife Service and FWC researchers in the Yellow River. All harvest of fish must comply with current regulations. Georgia Record on Rod The hind end of the caudal fin is forked or concave, and it is set at the end of a stout peduncle. This incredible fish was 6 feet 10.7 inches long and had a girth around of 27 inches! The arapaima is native to the Amazon River in South America and is one of the worlds largest predatory fish. Killer barracudas are not a frequent issue, and most attacks happen if they mistake humans for prey. Hes the biggest one Ive ever seen, Capps said. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has imposed regulations on harvesting barracuda, so most barracuda hunting boat trips consider them a catch-and-release species. Field & Stream profiled Thomas Gibson Jr. of Houston as Texas tarpon guru, in 1991. The angler's signature on a completed application form must be witnessed by a notary. The lure is heavy, casts a mile and sinks fast, Quinn says. It made the trip worthwhile. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. He caught it in 1948 by Georgetown and he is from Sumter, South Carolina. The largest barracuda ever caught in Florida was a great barracuda (Sphyraena barracudapronounced ss-ferry-ena). His fish was 52 lb. Symptoms of ciguaterapoisoning from predator fish include diarrhea and vomiting, dizziness, feeling hot and cold, numbness, and itchy skin. How the dead arapaima got to the Caloosahatchee River remains a mystery. Fish can be either caught and released or legally harvested for these programs. Size, Age, and Growth. Oh, man! World Record Great Barracuda Fish caught in Angola, Africa. Scale certification must be within two years of catch date. WebGreat barracudas are large fish, and one of the largest of the Barracudas. Adult barracuda will also herd a school of baitfish, guarding them until theyre ready to eat again. He thought wed better take it in, so thats what we did.. I grew up in Pennsylvania fishing for trout in the streams and bass in the lakes. Carnivorous barracuda fish are scientifically called Sphyraenidae, but theyre commonly known as cudas or tigers-of-the-sea due to their razor-sharp teeth and ability to hunt pretty much anything living in the water. Information for witnesses to the catch and weighing must be recorded on the. (46.4 kg). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the record for the heaviest gator caught in the state is a 1,043-pound male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. Theyve caught probably a dozen record fish on his boat, says Gibson, who usually releases every catch. The 10 Biggest Trophy Fish Ever Caught in Florida, Shark Quiz - 30,085 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz, The Largest Great White Sharks Ever Found Off Florida Waters, Real Life Jaws Spotted 30ft Great White Shark By Boat, Watch a Bird Escape a Great White Shark by Pooping In Its Face, Watch a Great White Shark Stalk a Child on a Boogie Board, Biggest in the World? The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. A medium-weight 20-30 pound setup should do the trick unless you hook a record-breaking heavyweight! Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Theres a chance someone had it as a pet and released it into the wild. Barracuda are curious fish and because they have few predators, they will investigate most flashing lures or meat baits. WebThe largest Barracuda caught off of Key West weighed 67 pounds and the world record is 85 pounds. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. WebThe record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kilograms (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even more prominent example measured 2 m (6.6 ft). The Guinean barracuda weighed a whopping 102.8 pounds (46.4 kilograms) and was just over six feet 10 inches long. [6], Barracuda attacks on humans are rare, although bites can result in lacerations and the loss of some tissue. and caught on January 29, 1949 by angler Harold K. Goodstone on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Thats why you need a range of different lures. To suggest additional species to be considered for the records program, contact AnglerRecognition@MyFWC.com. Lets discover the largest barracuda ever caught in Florida and who snagged it. It never jumped., All of a sudden I pulled it up, and Cam said, Jesus! WebWATCH IN 1080 HDspotted this big guy on one of our dives in the keys. Barracudas have some teeth angled backward so small fish cant escape their grasp. State records for the heaviest marine fishes caught in Florida waters, or in federal waters extending directly outward of Florida state line boundaries, are maintained for 81 species in all-tackle and fly-fishing categories. Photographs clearly showing the weight on the scale and the entire fish on the scale must be submitted (see Photograph Requirements below). Take Our Brand New A-Z-Animals Fish Quiz Harold K. Goodstone caught it on January 29 1949 near Islamorada, Florida Keys. But once they hauled it over the gunwales, Gibson says, It never wiggled again., Nicolson and his family, who live in Angola, hold several barracuda records themselves. Diagonal dark bars on upper sides (not always evident) Tail color is dark with white tips. In 1947 a barracuda caused a fatality in Floridas Key West. Barracuda can get to almost seven foot as seen from the one Thomas Gibson hooked. Black blotches on lower sides. The great barracuda is present in tropical to warm temperate waters, in subtropical parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, from mangrove areas to deep reef, with a lower depth limit of 110 meters. They rely on surprise and short bursts of speed up to 27mph (43km/h) to overrun their prey, sacrificing maneuverability. Doug Olander. After hooking up just outside of some mangrove areas in ultra-shallow waters, Rapalas Dan Quinn released a fierce-looking cuda. I graduated from the University of Reading and the University of Oxford, UK. Barracudas can reach at least 14 years of age. Anglers should handle their catch with wet hands only (do not use a towel), be careful not to poke fingers into eyes or gills and fully support the body weight of the fish by cradling it horizontally. And hes right. When humans eat this, it can cause ciguatera poisoning (CFP). It weighed a huge 67 pounds. Divers should avoid using shiny objects like diving knives in their presence because this attracts attention. Although specialized tackle isnt required to catch Floridas barracuda, a sturdy rod is essential because barracudas fight and leap. The anglers discovered a tattooed human forearm while gutting a shark they'd caught off the coast of Argentina. John Cassani, head of Calusa Waterkeeper, a nonprofit group dedicated to protecting waterways in the region, agreed, writing in an email that it would seem unlikely as sightings are rare and this one may be unique to the Caloosahatchee River.. [5], Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them in hopes of eating the remains of their prey. Web81 Species Included in the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records Program. Published There are plenty of barracuda in Florida, but how big do they really get and how can you catch one? This fish ate a Rapala X-Rap Long Cast Shallow, size 12 (4 inches). Prizes are taxable and will be reported to the IRS as appropriate (please check with your tax advisor if you have any questions). The post Discover The Largest Barracuda Ever Caught in Florida appeared first on AZ Animals. But a fearsome new invasive predator has emerged in the state: the arapaima, a monster fish that can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds. World Record Great Barracuda Fish caught in Angola, Africa. I cant imagine its good for our ecosystem, he said. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. To suggest additional species to be considered for the records program, contact. They are predatory fish with a jutting bottom jaw and sharp pointed teeth of different sizes. [3] The diets of these top predators of reefs are composed almost totally of fish, cephalopods, and occasionally shrimp. In 1957 barracudas killed a person off the North Carolina coast, and in 1960, a barracuda attacked a free diver off Pompano Beach, Florida giving him such ferocious bites that 37 stitches were needed to patch him up. The largest official barracuda ever caught in the world was snagged in the Kwanza River, Angola, southern Africa by United States angler Thomas Gibson in 2013. World Record Great Barracuda Fish caught in Angola, Africa. When air temperatures are cold, the fish wont come in as shallow. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Anglers' faces must be included in photographs and fish must be in an unobstructed position (side views are best) so that FWC staff can verify the species. WebThe record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kilograms (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even more prominent example measured 2 m (6.6 ft). The largest official barracuda ever caught in the world was snagged in the Kwanza River, Angola, southern Africa by United States angler Thomas Gibson in 2013. Barracudas get a bad rap, but in winter, they aggressively hit plugs over shallow Florida Keys flats. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In 1957 barracudas killed a person off the North Carolina coast, and in 1960, a barracuda attacked a free diver off Pompano Beach, Florida giving him such ferocious bites that 37 stitches were needed to patch him up. Almaco jack: Seriola rivoliana: Amazon sailfin catfish: Pterygoplichthys pardalis: Amberjack: Seriola: American butterfish: Peprilus triacanthus: American conger: Conger oceanicus: American Eel: Anguilla rostrata State laws prohibit false claims or fraud when claiming prizes. He sold the rest of the gator to a processing business in Tallahassee. Florida Record Great Barracuda on Rod and Reel The record for biggest barracuda fish in Florida wasnt even close to the world record at 67 lb. fish caught in the west African country of Gabon in 2002 by Dr. Cyril Fabre. Non-native fish should be humanely killed and never released alive back into the water. It weighed a huge 67 pounds. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is also capable of producing hundreds of thousands of eggs during its lifetime. | In fact, catching these ugly buggers has become quite popular. Habits Barracuda are a fast predatory fish often found in shallow tropical water near coral reefs and sand flats. They are clever fish, so youll spot barracuda taking hooked fish from a line. Fish must be weighed on land (fish weighed only at sea or on other bodies of water will not be accepted). WebCam Nicolson shows off a pending-record 102-pound Guinean barracuda, caught in mid-February off Angola by Thomas Gibson (pictured below). The Keys hosts an annual all-release Cuda Bowl each year, scheduled around the same time as the Super Bowl. Barracuda can get to almost seven foot as seen from the one Thomas Gibson hooked. Gibsons 230-pound tarpon caught in 1993 still reigns as the Louisiana state record. Ive fished both coasts of Florida for more than a decade, but Ive been primarily on the West Coast around St. Petersburg. The barracuda has a large swim bladder. Barracuda can live up to 14 years in the wild given they have barely any predators once fully grown. We fished a lot of skinny water that day, Quinn recalls. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Tim Carlile releasing a cuda caught on a No.14 Long Cast Shallow. A Bonnier LLC Company. What is the largest barracuda ever caught? Thank you for reading! Id rather have the all-tackle tarpon recordin fact, I was in a boat 300 yards away when the guy caught the 286-pounder that is the current world recordbut this barracuda was certainly good, he says. WebMouth with prominent, sharp teeth; lower jaw protrudes past upper jaw. The rest are, as they say, retired,' Gibson says. Everywhere there are tarpon. However, they are clever! Like me.. This fish ate a Rapala X-Rap Long Cast Shallow, size 12 (4 inches). Sport Fishing Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. They are predatory fish with a jutting bottom jaw and sharp pointed teeth of different sizes. [2][3][4] The largest great barracuda was said to have measured 3m (9.8ft). This includes, but is not limited to, the angler being properly licensed or using an approved exemption, as well as using legal gear and fishing in saltwater where the angler has legal access.