Fish Files

Barramundi (barra, giant perch) [Lates calcarifer]

The barramundi is an aggressive predator that usually prefers ambush to pursuit which makes them a challenge to catch. With its sudden and savage bite, aerobatics once hooked and repeated powerful runs is what attracts anglers from around the world to northern Australia.

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. Barra will take lures, flys or a live fish or prawn as bait.

Barra can grow in excess of 30kg with the average being 5 to 10kg but with that magic 50pounder possibly on your next cast or troll anglers return year after year chasing the Holy Grail for barra fisherman.

Black Jewfish (blotched jewfish) [Protonibea diacanthus]

Black Jewfish a relative to the Mulloway of southern waters congregate around reefy areas and sunken wrecks. They can also be found in the tidal estuaries and river.

A first class predator providing an initial fast and powerful run when hooked. The “Jew” grows in excess of 25kg with a consistent average of 10-12 kg. Jewies are caught using most fishing method s from using squid or fish flesh, live bait and have been caught on lures whist trolling for barra.

Salmon (Threadfin salmon, blue salmon) [Eleutheronema teradactylum]

Blue Salmon (left) and Threadfin (right) are regarded as a true sporting fish with great fighting ability and speed. Once hooked perform exciting aerobatics.

The blue salmon is the smaller of the two species averaging 1 to 3 kg but can grow in excess of 10kg. Often forming large schools can be caught close to the coast line along beaches and in bays and estuaries with an attraction to mud flats, muddy rivers and creeks with sunken timber. Also venturing onto the inshore reefs. The larger of the two species the Threadfin salmon grows in excess of 20kg with an average of 2-5 kg. Both of the salmon can be caught on live or dead bait, lure and fly.

Fingermark (red bream, golden snapper) [Lutjanus johnii]

Golden snapper as we like to call them is one of the prized table fish to occupy the northern waters of Australia. “Goldie’s” frequenting coastal shallows, bays, estuaries, tidal creeks and off shore reefs. Snapper are mainly targeted by bait fishermen using squid or fish flesh abut will readily take a lure or fly in the many estuaries and creeks they inhabit. Fast and powerful fish offering a strong fight all the way to the surface.

They will grow in excess of 10 kg with fish on the off shore reefs averaging 3-4 kg more heavily fished areas the average would be less than 1 kg. Golden snapper are slow growing and are vulnerable to over fishing

Queenfish (giant leatherskin, skinny fish) [Scomberoides commersonianus]

Queenfish are great sports fish which offers spectacular acrobatics once hooked. A fast, voracious and active fish. They inhabit offshore and inshore reef areas, shallow bomboras, sand flats and tidal estuaries. “Queenies” can be caught by most fishing methods. They grow to about 15kg with an average of 3-4kg.Regarded as average table fish most fish are returned to the water.

Spanish Mackerel (spaniard, tanguigue, grey mackerel, tiger mackerel, Japanese mackerel) [Scomberomorus commersoni/semifasciatus]

Narrow-barred (Scom. commersoni) and Broad-barred Spanish Mackerel (Scom. semifasciatus) are a tropical species common to the northern waters of Australia. Growing in excess of 25kg Spanish mackerel are a free-roaming oceanic fish usually found schooling over offshore reefs and drop-offs feeding on baitfish. The Broad-barred Spanish mackerel is often encountered inside major bays in the tropics and averages the 2-5kg mark.
Regarded as one of the best sport and game fish. Hitting baits hard and providing a tough fight mixed with great agility and speed. It is renowned for its initial fast, long run. Once caught if bled and iced immediately are great table fair.

Saratoga (toga, Dawson river barramundi, southern saratoga) [Scleropages leicherdti]

Saratoga inhabits tropical fresh water rivers, swamps and billabongs of northern Australia. They are attracted to the cover of pandanus clumps, lily pad clusters, lotus beds, fallen timber and snaggy areas. Largely visual feeders often found near the surface. “Toga” will take all styles of lures with surface lures being popular. For a fly fisher the Toga are exciting and challenging targets.
An outstanding sportfish offering a good fight with repeated strong runs and aerobatics.

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