Barracuda

[GBPhil]

Hi all

Looking for some advice here - this summer was my first time out trolling from my Whaler. I really am totally new to all this and so had a couple of lures off the back of the boat. I caught a few smaller Albacores then I lost a couple of Lures when I am guessing something like this had a bite:



So I re-rigged a lot of my lures using steel wire - but that just seems mad - as all the lures you (generally) buy when rigged have monofilament line but even something like this 25lb'er just bit straight through it

Is this a common occurance? Do most folks just rig with wire to start with ?

If re-rigging with wire is the answer - I was going to crimp the rigging - but I cannot find a simple guide that matches the wire to the size of the sleeve - does one exist?

Sorry this is probably a stoopid question to most of you - but is baffling me

Phil

[N2theBlue]

when riggin with single strand wire use a haywire twist....with cable (7x7) use crimps. With light multistrand cable use a figure 8 knot.

[GBPhil]

ok thanks - got it on the wire types and fixings

Anyone with tips about handling a fish with teeth like that also appreciated!

Phil

[seapower]

Very carefully! Frank

[blueoceaneyez]

Haven't broken the 35lb mark with a Cuda yet, but trying, they fight awesome for sport!

We use wire (King rigs pretty much), tube lures, and/or a combo of short wire + a stretch of heavier mono for leaders. I don't know if you WANT to catch Cudas or if you just want to save your rigs....?

The ones we catch aren't overly "active" after they've been gaffed, out of the water and into the boat- use some long needle pliers to get the hook out and release if ya dont want to eat it. PS- THEY STINK so if they bleed in your boat, you'll want to scrub asap!

[GBPhil]

Hi - no I didnt particularly want to catch it. It was around 25lbs and frightened the heck out of everyone on the boat - so I had no choice to get the hook out myself.

I actually didn't think he was that great a fighter to be honest - he did initially - then when he got near the boat for a few seconds. Amazing though - despite the gaf - he swam off which shocked us all on the boat

Thanks folks
Phil

[clt_capt]

We get a few toothy critters around here - Wahoos, King Mackerel and the all too frequent stinky (cuda).

When targeting Kings or Wahoo, I mainly use #9 piano wire (wahoo) and #5 wire for kings. But many times we'll catch them on mono rigs...

A good pair of fishing pliers and/or a dehooking tool are a good idea

You don't want to lip them like a bass...

[GBPhil]

This was in Antigua - I lost a couple of lures - and one was left in tatters until we actually landed that one

Phil