Barracuda

Barracuda Fishing in Florida

Great barracuda range from inshore to offshore and are top predators in reef areas; young fish are found inshore in seagrass beds.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 67.00 lb Islamorada · January 29, 1949 · Harold K. Goodstone

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

How big barracuda run

Federal interviewers measured 609 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 26.6–43 inches, with a median of 34.4 inches. Kept and released in similar numbers: 561 landed, 724 put back.

  • Florida33.7" median, 326 measured
  • North Carolina35.3" median, 243 measured

NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.

About the fish

SizeUp to 106 pounds
Where it livesInshore to offshore. Young fish live inshore in seagrass
What it eatsFish, squid and shrimp

FWC warns that eating larger barracuda may cause ciguatera poisoning.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • Which county's waters you fish decides the rules. Off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties there is a slot and a boat limit. Everywhere else there is no minimum size.
  • FWC does not say whether the six-county rules extend into federal waters, so this page does not claim they do.

Collier through Martin counties: when you can keep one

All waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
15 to 36 inches fork lengthSize limit
2 per personDaily limit. Six per vessel. The slot allows 1 fish over 36 inches per person or vessel per day. Special regulations apply when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Rest of Florida: when you can keep one

Everywhere else in Florida.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
No minimum sizeSize limit
2 fish or 100 pounds, whichever is moreDaily limit

Questions about barracuda

Can I keep a barracuda?

Yes. Off Collier through Martin counties: a 15 to 36 inch fork length slot with 1 fish over 36 inches allowed per person or vessel per day, and 2 per person, 6 per vessel. Elsewhere: no minimum size, and 2 fish or 100 pounds, whichever is more.

Which counties have the special rules?

Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin.

Are they good to eat?

FWC warns that eating larger barracuda may cause ciguatera poisoning.

Is there a closed season?

No, FWC lists barracuda open year round in both areas.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, barracuda regulations and FWC, great barracuda profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.