Physical Features: They are long, skinny, have bluish or brownish backs, silvery sides and a mouth full of pointed teeth.
Where are they found? They usually live from Kodiak Island to southern Baja California. But during warm water years they are more 
commonly found in central California. These are schooling fish; adults and near-adults are found near reefs or kelp, almost always dose to the coast. They are usually found close to the surface, but some have seen them as far down as 120 feet.
Migrations: Barracuda make annual northward migrations, moving from Baja California into southern California in late spring early summer, probably relating to the increasing sea temperatures. Southward migrations are less ritualized and some fish winter over in southern California.
Size: These fish had been taken to 48 inches, but are seldom seen that big anymore. Fish larger than 35 inches are not seen very often. These fish grow extremely fast-a 1 year old is 14 in., a 4-5 year old is 28 in., and an 11 year old is 41 in. The average life span is close to eleven years old. Males are mature by age 2, and all females spawn by age 3. Spawning occurs from April-September, peaking from May-June.
What do they eat? They eat mostly small fishes such as anchovies, sardines, young Pacific mackerels and jackmackerels, grunions and squids.
Extra Info: *These are fairly popular sport fish. They were once a very popular sport fish, but demands have dropped over the last 40 years and today the fishery is very small. *Unlike the large barracuda of the tropical waters, California barracuda do not attack humans. *Fossil earbones of California barracuda are known from one million plus year old strata near San Diego.