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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 6 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 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

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.