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Arnhem Land Barramundi Arnhem Land has a very spiritual vibe…It's an ancient land of coastline and river systems pretty much undisturbed for thousands of years… Very few people get to fish these estuaries… but I'm with Russell Kenny, who's been a guide in these parts for 13 years. Russ has taken us to his favourite spot - the Liverpool and Tompkinson Rivers near Maningrida… And the barra are just about falling over each other to grab that lure… "A Thompkinson River barra. Beautiful fish, big gob. Those eyes - they're predators.. they love sucking in bait fish." The smaller barramundi are the males.. and the older ones really are the big mommas, who are definitely a little more cunning… Sometimes you have to follow them right into the snags to have any hope of catching them. This lure's called an Elton John. Certainly attracts fish, both male and female. Well, Elton must be doing the trick..cause these territory barra sure are jumping! Another beautiful barra…not a monster, we spotted it on the sounder, a big bump with fish under it. Double hook up.. with RMG lure. We head to the upper reaches, where there are a few big green snags. The bigger fish often hang out here because the leaves and branches give them plenty of cover. If you're near the bank, you have to try and get your lure close to the snag but not in it. The best time to catch Barra is at the end of the low tide, when the water is really clear.. so they can easily see your lure. This snaggy island looks like a breeding ground - and I tell ya - the young'uns round here certainly have good eyesight! Talk about a breeding zone.. we're being plagued by little barra. Thankfully, this barrage of baby barra finally dies down once the tide comes in… The water has gone to dark brown, with plenty of debris on the surface, so we've decided to make a move back to the saltwater to catch bigger barra! When Barra catch live prey, they belt it around and often cop a few spikes in the head. So they have very little feeling around their mouth - and that's why they can take a pounding from your hooks. "Well barra are tough fighting fish. Always check your lure, make sure it's in pristine condition. Check the knots, close the barbs, make sure it's ready to catch that big momma lurking round that snag." And big momma soon makes a spectacular entrance ! "Now this is a big fish… I don't wanna lose it. I'll let it go, but please come to the boat!" Yeehah! Terrific fish… Can you believe it - I've hit the magical thirty pound mark ! Thirty pounds, well there's been a lot bigger ones caught, but not by me.. I'm a very happy ET, let me tell ya! Well, I hate to leave her, but this beautiful lady definitely goes back to the breeding ground, and we target other prey. We've set a few crabpots to lure some famous Northern Territory muddies. If we'd left the pots overnight - Russ reckons the crocs would eat the lot, crabs and all. This one's been doing a bit of fighting, he's a mighty mudcrab, and it will be great to have not only fish but mudcrabs on the plate as well. He'll cook up nicely ! I tell you - fresh seafood is a great way to top off our stay in the Territory. But I still reckon nothing will top the feeling of that thirty pound barra on my line. We fished the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers near Maningrida, about 400 kilometres northeast of Darwin. Russell and Roz Kenny of NT Barra Fishing can take you on a 3 to ten day Arnhem Land fishing safari. You stay at the Maningrida Base camp, in screened eco tents. All meals, fishing gear and the expert advice of your guide are included in the price. The Kenny's will also book your flight from Darwin to Maningrida. Phone or email them - or log onto their website. Ansett flies
to Darwin several times a day from most capital cities. |
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Arnhem Land Barramundi NT Barra
Fishing Cost Flights Ansett flies
daily to Darwin from most cities |
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