Barracouta
Barracouta are a schooling pelagic species found throughout New Zealand waters, with the heaviest concentrations along the eastern and southern coasts of the South Island.
They've fed New Zealanders since the time of the Māori, who built an entire seasonal fishery around them. Today they're a commercial staple and a recreational target — especially where schools push baitfish to the surface.
Scientific Name: Thyrsites atun
Also known as Manga, Makā, Snoek, Cook Strait Sailfish
- Long, slender, compressed body with a pointed head, large mouth, and very sharp teeth — built for speed and cutting through baitfish schools.
- Dark blue-grey back fading to silver sides with a belly that carries a blue or purple iridescence; first dorsal fin is black.
- Fine scales that are almost undetectable to the touch — smooth-skinned compared to most other pelagic species.
- Typical fish run 60–100 cm and 1.5–3 kg; maximum recorded size reaches around 200 cm and 6 kg.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found throughout New Zealand coastal and offshore waters, from the surface down to around 400 m, including around the Snares Islands and Chatham Islands.
- Most abundant along the eastern and southern coasts of the South Island — historically the centre of both Māori and commercial barracouta fishing.
- A schooling pelagic species: typically encountered in surface schools when feeding actively on small baitfish, but retreats to deeper offshore water during spawning.
- Also taken as bycatch in squid, jack mackerel, and warehou fisheries, reflecting how widely distributed they are across New Zealand's inshore and midwater zones.
Key Locations
- Cook Strait — historically one of the most productive barracouta grounds in New Zealand, with strong tidal currents concentrating baitfish.
- Eastern and southern South Island coasts — the core of both the traditional Māori fishery and the modern commercial catch.
- Southland — a distinct spawning population and a key commercial fishing area, with peak condition fish available through autumn.
- Chatham Islands — a recognised stock area (BAR4) and active commercial fishing ground.
- The Snares Islands — noted as part of the coastal range where barracouta are regularly caught.
Specific Spots
- Surface schools over open water are the primary target — look for birds working baitfish, which almost always means barracouta underneath.
- Current lines and tide rips concentrate both baitfish and the barracouta chasing them; Cook Strait is a classic example.
- Around headlands and coastal points where currents push sprats and pilchards into tight areas, barracouta stack up to feed.
- During spawning periods they move offshore into deeper water and are harder to target recreationally — focus effort when they're back at the surface in summer and autumn.
Barracouta FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Barracouta?
Metal slices and chrome jigs that imitate slim baitfish are the most effective lures, retrieved fast through a feeding school, they draw instant strikes. Soft-bodied lures on jig heads also work, but expect to lose them quickly to the teeth; metal holds up far better through a session.
When is the best time to fish for Barracouta?
Late summer and autumn (February–May) are the prime months across most of New Zealand, fish are in peak condition and feeding hard at the surface. In Otago waters, peak condition runs from April through June, making autumn the standout period in the south.
How do you catch Barracouta?
Recreational anglers typically target barracouta from boats, working surface schools with metal jigs or slices cast into feeding fish and retrieved fast. Locating active schools, often signalled by diving seabirds, is most of the work; once found, the fishing can be fast and continuous.
What do Barracouta eat?
Barracouta feed heavily on small pelagic baitfish, sprats, pilchards, and similar schooling species. Metal jigs and slices that imitate these slim, fast-moving baitfish are the go-to lure choice.
Where do Barracouta live?
Found throughout New Zealand coastal and offshore waters, from the surface down to around 400 m, including around the Snares Islands and Chatham Islands. Most abundant along the eastern and southern coasts of the South Island, historically the centre of both Māori and commercial barracouta fishing.
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