Barramundi Fishing
By Bob Ives
There is no conversation about fishing in Australia that should go
without mentioning one of the most soft after fish, the Barramundi. Many
hours of angling, both fly fishing and regular rod and reel fishing,
have been put into seeking out this fun saltwater and freshwater sport
fish.
The original name of the Barramundi came from a word that means ‘large
scaly fish’, which accurately describes this mysterious fish. It has
also been called the giant perch, giant sea perch, Asian sea bass,
Australian sea bass, white sea bass, and the silver jack.
They are typically found in Australia from Shark Bay north in Western
Australia around to the Mary River in southern Queensland in the east,
with Queensland being one of the Barramundi fishing favorites. They can
be caught year round, but they tend to be more accessible during the
summer months. Barramundi are stock in many freshwater reservoirs for
recreational fishing.
The Barramundi ranges up to about 2m in length. Their bodies are
large, elongated, and plump, and they have distinct curved in dorsal fin
profile near the head and a large snout. Depending on the waters they
are in, their colors can range from silvery to a green or blue gray on
the dorsal surfaces. Their fins are usually black or somewhat brown. The
dorsal fin has 10–11 soft rays and 8–9 spines.
The anal fin has 7–8 soft rays and 3 spines, and the pectoral fin has
7–8 soft rays. The fin near the tail is short.
Most Australian fishermen practice catch and release with Barramundi.
One thing that makes them a favorite of sport fishermen is their great
fighting ability. When you’ve hooked a Barramundi, you know you’ve got a
fish on your line and you might be pleasantly surprised with their
jumping ability and long runs they can make challenging your tackle and
patience.
Typical fishing methods include trolling, but the most popular is
casting out soft plastics, hard body baits like crank baits, and surface
lures like frogs and injured bait fish and other creatures including
small birds.
Freshwater Barramundi do not make for the best eating unless you know
some good recipes and cookie methods. They tend to have a muddy taste
and a lot of body fat. However, saltwater Barramundi tend to not hang
around in the mud as much and make for pretty good dining. Just be sure
to remove the scales.
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