How to catch Pacific barracuda

Pacific barracuda feed in 60–74°F water and bite best at 64–70°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 1 water.

15 pts · trophy at 36"Feeds 60–74°FBest 64–70°FIn season nowArtificial reefBeach / surfLedge / hard bottomFishing pier

About

A slim, schooling spring-and-summer barracuda that moves up from Baja to the Southern California kelp and beaches with the warming water. Smaller and milder than the great barracuda of Florida.

How to fish it

Chrome iron cast and retrieved fast under the birds over the kelp; fly-lined anchovy on a long-shank hook.

What it eats

chrome jigslive anchovysmall swimbaits

Live bait for it

Anchovies (Pacific)Nose- or collar-hooked on a #4 to 1/0 hook and fly-lined with no weight, or on a dropper loop; a dozen tossed over the side as chum keeps the bass and bonito up.

Sardines (Pacific)Collar- or nose-hooked on a 1/0 to 3/0 hook and fly-lined for yellowtail, white seabass and calico bass; a sinker a few feet up to get it under the bait ball.

What to fish it with

the sizes that fish it

Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon

Hook#1–4/0

Jig head1/8–1/2 oz

Braid10–30 lb

The rule

not confirmed here

Rules differ by state — check CDFW before you keep one.

The current rule →

Where it is, month by month

PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving

Pacific

Southern California Bight

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