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Allan's Barra


Brazier Barramundi


Yates Barra


Darwin Sailfish


Jarrod Day Barra


Claire barramundi


Barramundi Fishing
Jarrod Day Reports

When he went Barramundi Fishing Jarrod Day discovered the wide range of fishing available in the Northern Territory

This report on the Northern Territory fishing scene explains how Sailfish, Jewfish, Pelagics and Saratoga are all part of this exciting 'Barradise'.

Anglers are always on a quest for hard fighting fish and one such location that gets a lot of attention is Darwin. Victorians are among those hungry for some line screaming action and what better way to experience it than hopping on board a fishing charter service.

North East Angler magazine report by jarrod Day

Facts show that a higher portion of central and northern Victorians make the trek to Darwin each yearsampling some of the great fishing on offer.

I have been fishing with Allan Beale of Darwins Barra Base for some years now and am deeply impressed on every trip I endure. Allan covers the lot so expect a sore armat the end of each day.

Over the past few years I have been fishing with Allan,each trip has opened my eyesas to what is available in these northern waters. What I find suits a lot of anglers travelling to the Northern Territory is that Allan offers a wide range of fishing options. This is achievable as he has three fully surveyed boats available.

Allans crafts include a 7.5 metre mono-hull. 6.8 metre NT GS Marine Hydracraft and a 5.8 metre NT GS Hydracraft, each of which is designed for fishing these waters.

Each boat is equipped with top quality electronics and fishing gear including Shimano or Daiwa reels, Wilson live fibre and Gloomis rods and plenty of luresthat will catch you fish.

Jarrod Day with a good catch
Jarrod Day displays a good NT capture.

With all this versitility trips include day trips which mainly cater for those just on a short holidaythat want to sample some of the top end fishing, while for those looking to spend a little more time abroad, three four, five and six day safaris are available.

These are extremely popular, allowing you to enter some remote parts of the NT during the run-off. Staying in a local resort, dining onlocal produce and experiencingsome of the best barramundi and bluewater fishingis some of my finest memories of heading to the Northern Territory.

Although barramundi can be sought throughout the year, it is during the run-off that they are not jusst plentiful, but this is the chance to get that fishover a metre.

The run-off starts around late February after the rains slow and the flooded flats begin to recede, this take months for the water to drain and millions of barramundi are on offer.

This is the time when anglers go in search of the Holy Grail, a metre barramundi. Allan and his guides pride themselves on these monster fish and each seasonget ot show their clients just how good the fishing can be.

Travis with a Spanish Mackerel
Travis travelled from Victoria to fish
and landed this magnificant mackie.

If you want to mix it up a little, you can do some bluewater fishing for a day or two, and then go back to the barra or vica versa. This kind of trip is all dictated by the tides, but Allan will let you know what is best, where and when.

Even with this in mind, if you're not keen on 98 per cent humidity and over 40 degrees of heat then fishing during the dry might suit. From May to September the humidity is almost non-existant with warm, but comfortable days. This is the time to seach offshore for mackerel, tuna and sailfish. Black jewfish, emperor and the like are highly prized and many anglers wish to seek them out.

For those that still want their shot at catching a barra, not all is lost. Although the run of big barra might have sloweddramatically, most anglers head to the billabongs. Well known and publicised the Cooroborree Billabong is one of the most picturesque locations you could visit just a short two hour drive out of Darwin This location even in the dry season can still boast some amazing barra fishing with metre plus fish hiding amongst the lily pads.

Winding though vaste grasslands the Cooroborree Billabong is comprised of some amazing birdlife where brolgas and sea eagles call home, giant pandanas trees and lily pads line the banks and crocodiles inhabit every inch of water, that aside the fishing is second to none.

Allan Beale with a Spanish Mackerel
Travis took this barramundi while
also fishing in Cooroborree Billabong.

Although barramundi are heavily targeted in this system, saratoga are also available. Saratoga are graet funto catch, they hide amongst the lily pads and are best taken with smallsurface poppersskipped over the pads. Their strikes are fast and most of the timeyou'll be tight to the masses of lily stems if you're not quick enough. Stll, if you haven't ventured to this location, it's one you have to mark in the diary.

Darwins Barra Base ad

Fishing on these safaris is undoubtedly the best way to experience Darwin's magnificent fishing. From bluewater adventures seeking out the highly prized jewfish, Spanish mackerel, queenfish and sailfish to tossing a hardbody into a snag for a metre barra it can all be experienced in just a weekend's fishing.


click here to view more information on the best Barramundi Run Off Fishing.

Click here for Darwins Barra Base home page.


3,4,5 & 6 Day PEAK Barra Run Off Safaris

2011 Safari Start Dates and Availability
as at 12th June 2010;

Green blocks indicate Neap Tides,  Blue blocks Spring Tides
( Mouseover the start dates if you can't see the colours)

February
Shady Camp
Avl March
Shady Camp
Avl April
Shady Camp
Avl May/June
Finnis River
Barra to Sailfish
Avl
5 Day
Start: 11th
Neap--Shady
12
4-5 Day
Start: 5th
Spring--Shady
16 5 Day
Start: 4th

Mothership
6 4 Day
Start: 3rd
Spring--Shady
12
3 Day
Start: 12th
Neap-Shady
12 3-5 Day
Start: 12th
Neap--Shady
16 5 Day
Start:
4th
Spring Shady
8 4 Day Barra to Sailfish
Start: 9th May
Neap--Finniss /Dundee
12
5 Day
Start: 19th
Spring--Shady
16 3 Day
Start: 15th
Neap--Shady
8 3-4 Day
Start: 11th

Shady or Finnisss
16 3 Day Barra to Sailfish
Start: 13th May
Neap--Finniss /Dundee

12
3 Day
Start: 26th
Neap--Shady
16 5 Day
Start: 19th

Mothership
8 Day
Start: 17th
Mothership
4 4 Day Barra Run Off
Start 18th
Spring--Shady
12
5 Day
Start: 26th
Neap--Shady
16
5 Day
Start: 20th

Spring--Shady
8 5 Day
Start:18th
Spring--Shady
8 4 Day Barra to Sailfish
Start: 24th May
Neap--Finniss /Dundee
12


5 Day
Start: 27th

Neap--Shady
16 3-5 Day
Start: 25th
Neap--Finniss
16 5 Day Barra safari
Start 26th
Neap--Finniss
8




3 Day
Start: 28th
Spring--Shady
16 4-5 Day Barra to Sailfish
Start: 28th May
Neap--Finniss /Dundee
12
2010 seats still available for Barra Safaris at Finniss River
from 19th April to end of June 2010
Click here for Finniss Safari Itinerary
Barra to Sailfish Bluewater Safaris at Dundee also available
from May 1st to November 2010
Click here for Barra to Sailfish & Pelagics Bluewater Itinerary

black spot bluewater fish 4 jewfish

Green numeral (12) indicates seats available.
Orange ( 2 ) indicates limited seats on existing safaris.
Red Zero (0)indicates fully booked
Can cater up to 12 Person Fishing Safari Group anytime if needed. (4 per boat)

Mark Berg Fishing Addiction TV Show filming of his 10 species Challenge was a great success. We thank all that participated and assisted us in this. This Challenge will be aired on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel across Australia in January/February 2011. A shortened 3 minute version will be placed up on our website for all to see, once all filming has been edited etc and is provided to us from Mark Berg

2,3,4 & 5 Day
Barra to Sailfish/Pelagics Bluewater Safaris


2010 Safari Start dates and availability as at 14 July 2010;

June Avl July Avl August Avl
5 Day
Start: 3rd
- 4 Day
Start: 3rd
- 4 Day
Start: 3rd
12
 2 Day
Start 5th  

   
2 Day
Start: 3rd
- 3 Day
Start: 7th
12

-
Day
Start: 5th
- 4 Day
Start: 17th
0
3 Day
Start: 9th
- 2 Day
Start: 10th
-




4 Day
Start: 19th
4
2 Day
Start: 21st      
3 Day - Start: 23rd
Mark Berg
TV Safari
- 2-4 Day
Start: 23rd
8
2-4 Day
Start: 21st
8


September Avl October Avl November Avl
5 Day Safari
Start: 2nd
5 3-5 Day Safari
Start: 1st
12 4 Day Safari
Start: 1st
8
5 Day Safari
Start: 5th

3
4 Day Safari
Start: 13th
12 3 Day Safari
Start:12th
8
2-4 Day Safari
Start: 14th
12 4 Day Safari
Start: 17th
12    
  
 
2-4 Day Safari
Start: 18th
12 3 Day Safari
Start: 18th
12 4 Day Safari
Start: 16
th
8
2-3 Day Safari
Start: 20th
12 4 Day Safari
Start: 30th
12

Green numeral (8) indicates seats available.

Orange ( 2 ) indicates limited seats on existing safaris.

Red Zero (0)indicates fully booked
Can cater up to 12 Pax Fishing Safari Group anytime if needed.



Darwins Barra Base Home Contact Information;

It may be a recent technical problem has prevented us receiving some emails.

If you have contacted us and not received a reply, please use
FREECALL 1800 777 420 to ensure your enquiry was received.

Thank You

FREE CALL: 1800 777 420

mail : 2 Todd Crescent Malak NT 0812
phone: +61 8 8945 0376
fax : +61 8 8945 0379
email: Click here to email Darwin's Barra Base.

Catch metre-plus barramundi
Darwin Barramundi

Safari Specials

Book Now
June to Nov 2010
Great Bluewater Safaris chasing Barra, Pelagics and Sailfish.
call Heather now on
1800 777 420
for the best times still available.
Click here for full contact details

Video of barramundi fishing with Mark Berg on a Darwins Barra Base Safari
Barra Run Off Fishing Video



Professional Video
of your Safari

Video of barramundi fishing by Charlie Micallef
Barra Safari Video

Long time fisherman and media professional, Charlie Micallef is available to produce a top quality video recording of your fishing adventures in the NT.
Details here...




2011 Barra Run Off Safaris

May 2010

Booking seats now will avoid missing a place on a 2011 Barra Run Off Safari with Darwins Barra base. Now three great purpose built boats allows more people to experience the fantastic barramundi fishing available during the February to May Barra Run Off season in the Northern Territory.read more...

Latest News

Barra & Sailfish Safari

Jan 31st 2010

Mark Berg Fishing TV Show to be filmed over 3 Day Safari 23-25 June 2010. This will be aired on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel across Australia. Be part of the action, we are taking bookings now for a group of 4 persons on the second boat. Full Safari Start dates here..
Call us on (08) 89450376


Barra Mothership Safari

Mary River Mothership

2011 Run Off

The ultimate Barra Fishing Safari, based on a Mothership at the mouth of the Mary River, provides 5 OR 6 days of fishing most people only dream about. Read more...

Allan and Heather Beale

Your hosts – Heather and Allan Beale have lived in Darwin for over two decades. They know the Territory and pride themselves on making every visitor feel a special part of their family.