[spaghetti]

Saying "barracuda" is equal to saying "sharks". There are different species with different sizes and behaviour.
Here in the Mediterranean we have two species of barracudas (sphyraena sphyraena, aka sea-pike, autoctonous, and sphyraena viridensis, or yellowmouth: it came from atlantic in the 90's due to the warming). They both grow smaller than the tropical cudas (the big sphyraena barracuda) and they have a lower rate of aggressiveness. You really do not have to be afraid of them at all, just take care to keep your hands off their mouth in the post-shot retrieving/dispatching action.
Ihab I don't know why you missed so many shots, but my guess is the following: when I hunt fish in numberous schools, sometimes I fail to decide which one to shoot (they are so many!) and so I don't focus properly on one single chosen target. This way itìs likely to be a missed shot.
Anyway cudas are curious and dumb fish. Thay'll come at you: just choose one target and aim to the lateral line one inch behind the gills. After shot they'll just give a feeble blow with their tail but soon they'll have no more energy for attempting a powerful reaction. Quite easy game.
They taste delicious simply grilled: olive oil, lemon and your favourite spice! (no ciguatera disease in the Mediterranean, so far)