Barramundi Fishing
Barramundi, Scientific Name (Lates calcarifer).
Other Common Names
Barra, Silver Barramundi, Giant Perch, Palmer Perch.
Size
Up to 1.8 m and 60 Kg (6' & 130 lb), common to 1.2 m
Conservation Status Not threatened, Lake Awoonga continue with constant re-stocking 200,000 Barramundi each year and attracts a large number of fisherman for Barramundi.
Barramundi Inhabits a wide variety of habitats in rivers creeks and mangrove estuaries in clear to turbid water. Most common in rivers and creeks with large catchments with a slow continuous flow and water temperatures above 20°C. Shows a distinct preference for submerged logs, rock ledges and other structure in the water.
Barramundi are a catadromous species, that is it grows to maturity in the upper reaches of freshwater rivers and streams and adults move downstream, especially during flooding, to estuaries and coastal waters for spawning.
In Australia, Barramundi range extends from the Mary and Maroochy River systems in south-east Queensland northwards around the entire northern coast to Shark Bay in Western Australia.
Barramundi are (protoandrous hermaphrodites) they start life as males, reaching maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age and later change gender and become females, usually at around age 5. Small fish are almost exclusively male with the percentage of females increasing with overall length.
The female Barramudi produce large numbers of small, non-adhesive, pelagic eggs between 0.6 mm and 0.9 mm in diameter (one 22 Kg female was recorded as having 17 million eggs) said the guy that had to count them. The eggs appear pinkish when water hardened. The eggs hatch within 15-20 hours at which time the larvae are around 1.5 mm in length and the mouth and eyes are well developed, although the yolk sac is large. At 2.5 mm the mouth is large and open, the yolk sac is greatly reduced and the pectoral fins are beginning to develop. Above this size the larvae begin to exhibit the characteristic colouration of juveniles of this species - overall brown mottled markings with a white stripes running lengthwise along the head. At 3.5 mm the yolk sac is all but gone, fin rays are beginning to appear and the teeth are well developed. By the fifth day the yolk sac has been completely absorbed and by 8.5 mm the fins are fully developed. Growth rate is variable, but generally rapid.
Barramundi are carnivore, feeding mainly on smaller fish as well as crustaceans. Juveniles take smaller fish fry, smaller crustaceans and aquatic insects.
An exciting and popular target for anglers in northern Australia, Barramundi responds well to lures either cast or trolled. Large minnow 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 colours 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.
Barramundi are also popular on heavier weight fly gear, with squidgies becomming popular, and they will take live bait, especially mullet, prawns and macrobrachium (a giant freshwater prawn). Whilst some excellent specimens have been taken on dead baits, it is not generally a recommended option.
Tips for catching barramundi: During peak periods: early morning and late afternoon (or low light) from September and March are ideal times to catch barramundi, although they can still be caught during cooler periods. Lures are better than live bait – the higher the sun the deeper the lure, Best fishing spots depend upon the time of year, but generally the hotter it is, the deeper the fish tend to be.
Most Barramundi sports fishermen practice catch and release. This practice is common at Lake Awoonga, although there is no reason not to take the occasional fish for the table.
Barramundi has gained a reputation as one of Australia's finest eating fish, usually with a price to match! In fact such is the reputation that there has been the occasional scandal due to substitution of other, cheaper, fish in the restaurant trade. Objectively it is probably true that the reputation exceeds the reality, but there is no denying that Barramundi are excellent table fish and specimens captured from estuarine waters are delicious, with firm, white, fine-grained meat. However, fish that have spent some time, even years in turbid, muddy water in some back water can be an entirely different story and their flesh can range from very tasty to inedible.
Barramundi are generally placid in the home aquarium, although the feeding reflex is still violent and sudden. They will take live or frozen bait fish, prawns and mussels. In contrast to the wild where Barramundi appear to be mainly nocturnal feeders, in aquaria, they will readily feed in daylight and become very tame making for friendly aquarium fish, thou they will not grow to there full size as they are limit by the size of the tank.
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