Barramundi

	Scientific Name	Lates calcarifer
	Other Names	Barra, Silver Barramundi, Giant Perch, Palmer Perch.
	World Record	Ian Harveyson with 30.4kgs of prime Tinaroo Barramundi and potential new world record on 15kg.

Description

Are greenish-bronze along the back, silver along the sides, shading to white on their bellies. Juveniles have creamy and dark blotches, and may have yellowish pelvic and tail fins. Most barramundi begin their lives as males and change to females as they become much larger. A maximum legal size limit is in place to protect these females .Barramundi are large predators, growing up to 60kg, but usually being caught at around 5-6kg. They can grow up to around 180cm, but are sexually mature at about 99cm. Belonging to the giant perch family, barramundi are similar in general appearance to freshwater perch. Barramundi provide spectacular angling, often leaping clear of the water to avoid capture. They are also capable of forcing their way through nets using the razor-sharp edges of their gill covers.

Habitat

Barramundi move between fresh and salt water during various stages of their life cycle. Mature barramundi live in estuaries and associated coastal areas or in the lower reaches of rivers. Larvae and young juveniles inhabit seasonal brackish-water swamps associated with estuaries and older juveniles are found in the upper reaches of rivers. Saltwater Barramundi or fishing just returning from the salt are silver in color, where fish that have spent considerable time in the fresh tend to be darker and green in color.

Feeding Habit

A carnivore, feeding mainly on smaller fish as well as crustaceans.  Juveniles take smaller fish fry, smaller crustaceans and aquatic insects. Barramundi are and ambush predator, if you look at the shape and style of this fish all the power and fins are at the back end, providing rapid short bursts of speed. Coupled with a large mouth cable of swalling pray easily half its own size its easy to see why the fish often spectacularly hit an anglers lures.

Age and Growth

Barramundi are euryhaline, meaning they can live in both fresh and salt water. However, barramundi eggs and larvae will only survive in brackish or salt water and for this reason all breeding takes place in river mouths and bays near areas of suitable nursery habitat. Areas such as mangrove swamps and low-lying land that becomes flooded during spring tides and monsoonal rains provide ideal habitat for juvenile barramundi. Barramundi become sexually mature between two and three years of age. In the wild, most fish first mature as males and participate in one or more spawning seasons before undergoing a sexual change, becoming functional females by the next breeding season As a general rule, fish less than 80cm length are usually males and those greater than 100cm are females. However, this is not always the case as sexually precocious (fish that mature and change sex at a smaller than usual size) populations of barramundi are known to occur in the Northern Territory and Queensland . Brood stock held under captive conditions have been found to change sex to females at a smaller size than wild fish. This may be the result of the captive environment or hormone treatments used during the spawning season

Tackle and Methods

An exciting and popular target for anglers, Barramundi responds well to lures either cast or trolled.  Large and small pattern lures are popular and productive when fished around snags, mangrove roots rocky outcrops, submerged timber and other heavy cover. Bright metallic gold or bronze a particularly popular lure colors for these feisty fellows.  Often known for its spectacular leaps from the water during the fight, the Barramundi justifiably commands respect from those who seek it out. Another method however not so popular is popping surface lures. The explosion as barramundi hit surface lures has to be seen and heard., one defiantly to put your heart within your mouth.

Light spinning rods with either fixed spool reel or bait casters are suitable for about 90% of all Barra fishing. Use strong enough mono or braided line to make sure that you can hold those hard caught fish from getting back into those snags. Barra will take live bait, especially mullet, prawns and macro brachium.  Whilst some excellent specimens have been taken on dead baits, it is not generally a recommended option. It is also becoming for sporting qualities more and more popular to Fly fishing for Barramundi.If you are an avid fly angler have have never caught a Barra it is a must as these fish will test your tackle and skills to the limit.

These days many Barramundi sports fishermen practice catch and release.  This practice is encouraged by NFA, although there is no reason not to take the occasional fish for the table.

Related Species

Listed below are similar related species that customers have searched.

	Nile Perch
	Striped Bass		Suwannee Bass
	Warmouth Bass		Channel Catfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best Barrmundi fishing holidays from around the world with top fishing specialist Angling Direct Holiday