Barracudas at EDR

[Judi Hartlin]

Read a review from someone saying there was a small barracuda (s/p?) in the man made salt water pool at the EDR and they saw a larger one by some rocks when they went for a walk or something...aren't they really scary and deadly? Do you really want to be swimming where they swim?

[jtdidden]

Barracuda have a very wide distribution in tropical & subtropical waters. If you've swam anywhere around/near the Carribean before you've probably been near one; in fact they range from Massachusetts to Brazil according to fishbase.org.

Attacks are very rare, and when they do occur, it's almost always when barracuda go after speared fish or a shiny object. If you don't wear any jewelry or anything that can reflect light you should be fine. When I fish for barracuda I often use a small shiny spoon. From a standstill they will strike it at high speed nearly instantly (if they feel like it that is). Just don't unwittingly re-create this scenario...

Also, even when the rare attack does occur, tis usually but a flesh wound.

Jason

For more info see:

http://fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesS...name=barracuda

or

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Galler...Barracuda.html

[K and P]

We saw lots at Barcelo Beach, from the peir and while swimming on the beach. One swam right by me a Big one. Kinda scary but on the other hand its so neat to see stuff like that. .

[Judi Hartlin]

Very interesting links - thanks! Still think I would freak out if one swam beside me but not worried about it. Thanks again!

[ostdc]

Is it easy to find a guide to take me fishing for them?
Brian

[jtdidden]

I suspect the 1/2 day panga trip described on this site under fishing would be able to get you into some decent cuda action (http://playadelcarmeninfo.com/playa-...servation.html). They can be moody though. Often they'll follow you around when you're fishing for other fish (either curious or waiting for an easy meal via a tired, released fish) but when you want to go catch a cuda you can't get them to strike.

I've found that casting lures like those on the following pages at various speeds (including as fast as you can) over flats or around cuts (like the 2 puerto aventuras inlets) almost always produces.

(I don't endorse these sites...just examples...)

(tubes): http://www.reelsandeels.com/tackpages/page_lures3.html
(looks like an injured needlefish?)

(nickel spoons): http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults
(lots of flashing = injured fish)

Use wire leaders and watch out for those teeth! Oh, and I always keep my rod to my left or right of where my lure is coming from (stories of airborne cudas haunt me ). Also, as far as eating cudas, some build up a toxin from their diet so I wouldn't eat them (but locals often do).

Good Luck,
Jason

[ostdc]

I fish muskies here, and I've heard that muskies are like panfish compared to a cudda. I'd like to latch into one!

Brian

[Nerak936]

I've never seen one while snorkeling (or while not snorkeling either!!) Their possible presence won't keep me from doing what I love (snorkel), but I'm afraid that it I did see one, I'd end up defying the laws of science/gravity and end up quickly walking on water all the way to shore!!

[Shootingstar]

Originally Posted by Judi Hartlin

Read a review from someone saying there was a small barracuda (s/p?) in the man made salt water pool at the EDR and they saw a larger one by some rocks when they went for a walk or something...aren't they really scary and deadly? Do you really want to be swimming where they swim?

Judi,
I think that might have been our trip report..........what I had said was we saw "baby" barracudas. They were tiny (6-8") and very cute.... I'm not sure where your from but up here we have Pike (similar to a muskie I think) everywhere so I don't get too freaked by a baby barracuda....and they were so tiny there was nothing to be worried about. I have heard that they are quite shy in general so the big ones would never be hanging around where a bunch of people are swimming.

Cathy