BigBendFishing.Net

Was tossing a bait net for finger mullet in a mud slough at the St Marks Refuge yesterday, and caught a very small (about 10 inches) barracuda. Let the poor guy go right away. He's got a long swim in front of him if he wants to get home for Thanksgiving.

In the Refuge creeks, I've encountered tarpon, blues, yellowtail jacks, spanish macks, alligator gar, tiger and blacktip sharks, bottlenose dolphin, some really freaky stingray variants, and of course, armed poachers...

...but never a barracuda before. Are they that rare up here?

They are very common on OUR offshore grouper holes,especially around the buoys and towers.

I'd think you caught him in is own "Briar Patch" like Bro. Rabbit's. He'll not have to swim far for Thanksgiving! My fish book says they prefer water over 68 degrees so he may go south for Christmas.

Caught one on topwater near Grey Mare a couple of years ago. Surprised me too.

That 68 degree stat makes sense. Surf temp about 65 now. The mud slough stays consistently warmer, and springs in the Refuge also help. Good to know I wasn't hallucinating!