Appearance
Barramundi are large predators, growing up to 60kg, but usually being caught at around 5-6kg. They can grow up to around 180cm, but are sexually mature at about 99cm. Belonging to the giant perch family, barramundi are similar in general appearance to freshwater perches and freshwater grunters.

They are greenish-bronze along the back, silver along the sides, shading to white on their bellies. Juveniles have creamy and dark blotches, and may have yellowish pelvic and tail fins. Most barramundi begin their lives as males and change to females as they become much larger

Range
Barramundi occupy the warmer waters of estuary systems in the north of Australia living in both salt and fresh waters. They can be found in sea waters, estuaries, tidal creeks, inland tidal areas, rivers and billabongs with an attraction to submerged timber, rock bars and other snaggy areas. In late summer they travel from fresh to salt water to spawn, congregating toward river mouths.

Sport Fishing
Barramundi are among the largest and most important commercial fishes, as well as being one of Queensland's most sought-after sportfish. Barramundi provide spectacular angling, often leaping clear of the water to avoid capture. They are also capable of forcing their way through nets using the razor-sharp edges of their gill covers.

Record
The Australian record is 37.85kg (83 1/4 lbs.). The averag4e size is 2kg - 10kg, can reach over 30kg (66 lbs. or more. Bait>/b>
Baits - Garfish, Hardiheads, Herring, Poddy mullet, Prawn. Lures - Minnow Deep Diving, Minnow Rattler, Popper, Soft Plastics, Surface crawler. Flies - Saltwater Baitfish. Other - Trolling and spinning lures such as Rapala minnows, Frog lures, Bomber Long A's, Nilsmaster Spearheads, Killalure Terminator II's and Cordell rattlers.

Tackle

• Line: 4 - 10kg main line with a 1m monotrace.
• Hook: No.3/0 - 5/0 Mustad 92554 Beak for bait. No.1 - 2 Trebles for lures.
• Rig: Medium spinning or baitcaster gear for lures and baits. Read More: Bimini Twist

  Fishing Tips
  The quality of Barramundi fishing depends on the time of the year and whether the water is tidal or not. For fresh water billabong fishing, just after the wet season in Northern Australia, cast into runoff water still flowing from the floodplains.

  During the rest of the year try repeated casts into snaggy areas such as lotuses, and trolling close to the bank at depths of 8 - 12 feet. Trolling speed needs to be slow with the lure placed a fair distance from the boat. For river and stream fishing, during the wet season, dusk and night fishing in hot and sultry conditions is productive and the fish tend to be further downstream. In winter or the dry season the fish are located further upstream.

  The upper limit of tidal influence on rivers is a good point to start looking for barramundi. Work upstream from here checking the deeper holes during the day paying special attention to any snags of timber and rock bars. Barramundi tend to bite best straight after the wet season from April to May and then just prior to the following wet season from October to November.

  If fish are showing signs of surface feeding try surface minnows or poppers. For tidal or saltwater fishing, just after the wet season, fish the mouths of creeks and gutters which carry the floodplain runoff. For other times of the year try casting or trolling around snags and rock bars at creek mouths on a run out tide.

  Estuary fish congregate in deep holes and fishing the low and rising tide in these areas produces good catches. A drifting live prawn or mullet works well. Most fish less than 5 years old are male. The larger fish are female and important brood stock.

  

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