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FISH GUIDE · Sea

European barracuda: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Sphyraena sphyraena

European barracuda has scales on its preopercle. The proposed plug-fishing approach adapts a cast-and-retrieve method described for this species by Guillaume Fourrier.

Catalogue names : Bécune. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: eastern Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay to Angola ; Mediterranean Sea ; Black Sea ; Azores and Canary Islands. Records refer to Sphyraena sphyraena, without transferring records of Sphyraena viridensis.

  • Documented presence : eastern Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay to Angola
  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : Black Sea
  • Documented presence : Azores and Canary Islands

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

A very elongated body, projecting lower jaw, widely separated dorsal fins and scaled preopercle. Flank bands are often faint; their absence alone is insufficient.

Habitat

Coastal waters over rocky and sandy bottoms in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Harbours and breakwaters may only be used where access and fishing are permitted.

Diet

Mainly fish, but also cephalopods and crustaceans.

Behaviour

A pelagic predator; juveniles generally stay closer to the bottom. A surface observation does not describe all its activity.

Indicative biological size

30–50 cm, the common size given by FAO; a descriptive indication.

Fishing context and precautions

  1. Check that the position is permitted and prepare landing.
  2. Choose a plug suited to the depth and your tackle.
  3. Cast into clear water and retrieve while controlling the lure: this sequence adapts the cast-and-retrieve method described by Guillaume Fourrier.
  4. Check the leader after a strike and use pliers for unhooking, keeping fingers away from the teeth. No retrieve guarantees a catch.

A distinctive feature

Its eggs are planktonic, developing in open water.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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