Either the fishermen knew of ciguatera or didn't want to handle a big, pissed off 'cuda. They have an unusual smell when filleted, but damn are they good eating. BBQ'ed they are in my opinion among the best. I always look for them when diving the rigs in the Gulf. I seem to remember reading somewhere, that eating a cuda over 36 or 37 inches was not recommended.
Smaller ones are supposedly ok.
And they are good eating. There are no regulations on Barracuda. The small ones are great eating. Not many reports of ciguatera north of the keys. All rights reserved.