Posted by brianc on December 26, 2000 at 09:28:11:
In Reply to: SWIM THRU BARRACUDA SCHOOL posted by BENTMAN on December 26, 2000 at 08:06:36:
When I lived in South Florida, I saw and swam with barracuda on at least 90% of my dives. I'm talking big ones - ~5ft. Their reputation is based more on their appearance than on their actions. They are curious and will check a diver out, but that's usually it. A bite is ususally happens when something large and very shiny is worn in low viz. The fish thinks that it is going after bait fish. That is a VERY rare occurance. On a night wreck dive (~70 ft), my buddy was bumped in the arme holding his light 3x by a 6 ft. barracuda, but that was as threatening as it got. Most wrecks there have resident schools and larger individuals.