Species Guide: Barramundi
(Lates Calcarifer)

The Barramundi would have to be one of this country's most iconic sports fish and can be caught in both fresh and salt water.

The freshwater fish are generally a lot bigger in girth than the salties as they don’t have to fight current or tide. But both can be caught using the same methods.

The gear for Barra should be fairly heavy as they have strong runs and violent head shakes, rods of around 5-10kg in both spin or baitcast configuration and around 4000-5000 spin reels or baitcaster reels. Line choice is crucial and braid is the right choice as it has no stretch and you can fit a lot more line on the reel, 20-50lb is the line weight you will need to pull these fish from the homes. Leaders should be between 30-60lb and be very abrasion resistant as they have very sharp gills and their jaw bone is rock solid.

When looking for locations to fish think structure and bait, the best spots for Barra are where they can both hide and feed. Freshly fallen trees, mangrove roots, weed beds, and standing timber are all great spots to start.

You can fish for Barra a number of ways from trolling lures, casting lures to live baiting, all of these methods work and will account for many fish. The most popular however would be casting lures, throwing both hard bodies and soft plastics into and around structure is very exciting and rewarding.

In the saltwater the tide and current are your best weapons, as at low water the fish are concentrated in the snags, where as in the dam, the water level does not change but you still have to deal with wind and current flow. But in the freshwater this will help you find the fish as the wind and current flow pushes to one side of the dam which is where the warmer water will be and also the fish.

Tackle Box

• Lures: Slick rigs, hollowbellies, X-Raps
• Rod: 5-10kg Spin and Overhead
• Reel: 4000-5000 spin reels and baitcasters
• Line: 20-50lb braid
• Leader: 30-60lb tough trace