As giant, voracious schools of barracuda arrived in the Santa Monica Bay this week, Southland anglers headed out to sea near Hermosa Beach. Private boater Jeff Jones was ecstatic, he told Patch.
“Oh thank goodness,” he said. “Barracuda will get the guys all excited. People love to catch something 3-feet long with lots of teeth.”
Each spring, barracuda migrate from Baja, Calif. to ocean waters near Hermosa Beach. The arrival of the barracuda signals oceanic renaissance, as cold water is replaced by warmer water, and hard-fighting gamefish move into Southern California waters—the sea is reborn.
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“We are about a mile and a half, straight out from the Hermosa Beach Pier,” said Capt. Eric Hobday of the Redondo Special on Sunday. “Great fishing here as we have over 100 barracuda for 18 anglers.”
Nearby, Capt. Steven Konrady was in the wheelhouse of the sportfisher Tradition, and looking off his bow, he could see three separate schools of barracuda jumping out of the water and chasing bait, he said.
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“We have limits [10 barracuda per angler] on board and are headed off to catch some rockfish,” he told Patch.
As more barracuda swam through the Santa Monica Bay, the Spitfire and New Del Mar caught about 150 and 200 barracuda respectively out of Marina Del Rey on Sunday.
The Enterprise traveled at least two hours from Long Beach to capture more than 200 barracuda.
While windy weather and rough seas didn't give the sportfishing fleet an opportunity to get back to the barracuda grounds Monday, the weather forecast for the rest of the week is for calming seas and less wind. Anglers told Patch that they are hoping the barracuda will be waiting for them.
Catching Barracuda
One of the best ways to bait barracuda is by fishing with lures or in the vernacular, fishing “the iron.” Single hook lures seem to swim better and get more bites.
More important, however, to release a short barracuda (barracuda must be 28 inches in length to be legal) with a single-hooked lure is much easier. Short fish should be returned to the water as quickly as possible.
One technique for catching barracuda on the iron is to make a long cast and allow the lure to sink to a 10 count. A small light jig will swim best when retrieved at a medium pace.
To set the hook, never rear back on the rod—doing so results in far less hook-ups.
You set the hook by continuing to turn the handle of your reel. Do that until the fish pulls line against your drag and then you have it hooked.
Cooking Barracuda
Barracuda are good eating if treated with the reverence and respect that any creature you pluck from the sea deserves. If you plan to feast on the fish, keep your catch cool and moist and have it cleaned as soon as possible.
Fresh barracuda steaks on the barbeque are delicious. A marinade of your favorite white wine, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and fresh lime juice adds to the culinary experience. Just remember to never overcook your catch.
Where to fish next?
The Tradition sportfishing boat is running a special 3/4-day seminar and fishing trip out of Redondo Sportfishing next door in Redondo Beach on Friday.
Experts will be showcasing hands-on demonstrations for barracuda fishing, as well as offering beginner advice as well as tips for experience sportfishing.
Free raffle prizes will also be part of the fun. The seminar-trip departs at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. Tickets: $55.
