UTERGreat barracuda fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, great barracuda peak October–March and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Big winter cudas on the oceanside flats — a tube lure ripped fast.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Great barracuda in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryPeakBig winter cudas on the oceanside flats — a tube lure ripped fast.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish great barracuda near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
Oceanside flats and patch reefs inside the reef line, the reef itself, then the Gulf-side banks and basins of Florida Bay and the backcountry. Bridges and channels connect the two. The clearest, warmest water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 5,035 grass flat, 695 artificial reef, 565 marker / buoy, 340 wreck, 88 bridge spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds great barracuda hold on.
What to use for great barracuda
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 70–90°F water, best at 76–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch great barracuda in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is October–March. Great barracuda are here year-round. January: Big winter cudas on the oceanside flats — a tube lure ripped fast.
Where do great barracuda hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on grass flat, artificial reef, wreck, marker / buoy, channel edge, bridge — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for great barracuda in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: pinfish, pilchards (whitebait), blue runners (hardtails). Pinfish: Hooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for great barracuda in The Florida Keys?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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