Saltwater barra over 1m are becoming a common occurrence in the Rockhampton NFZ. You still need to do your homework though to get the chocolates.

Barramundi season in full swing

October 7, 2024

October is one of the best months to get serious about chasing that chrome goodness. There’s no other fish that comes close to barramundi.

I might be a bit biased but saltwater barramundi fishing is up there with the best piscatorial pursuit.

What makes barra fishing so addictive?

Once you start competition fishing for barramundi you’ll find an even greater respect for these incredible sportfish.

Many years ago, I heard that barramundi are ‘the thinking man’s fish’, and I fully agree with that statement.

Barra would have to be one of the most temperamental fish on the planet.

One day you’ve got them figured out and the next you’re scratching your head.

I’ve lost count of how many donut days I’ve had in the past.

Some days they just don’t want to know anything about what you’ve got to offer.

Currently those donut days are few and far between because I’ve simply taken the time to put in the hard yards to figure out what I need to do and where I need to look given the conditions.

It wasn’t easy to get to this point.

It has been an emotional rollercoaster to get a handle on them and even now there is still so much more to figure out.

No matter how much time you invest you will never know it all, but it’s bloody good fun trying.

Unfortunately, this is the last month to chase this iconic species before the three month east coast closed season, so make sure you make the most of it.

Get into your local tackle store and stock up on lures or buy a new cast net and maybe that new barra reel you’ve been dreaming of.

I can’t think of any better species to invest your hard-earned into.

So, where is the best area to catch a barra?

You would be very surprised to hear how many times I get asked that question.

The answer is simple – the Fitzroy River.

Of all the places you can catch a barra throughout the Rockhampton Net Free Zone, the Fitzy would be the easiest.

Just make sure you do your research if you’re a first timer because there are quite a few hidden rock piles and rock bars in this area.

Thinking outside the square gets results. Not many people would know what this lure is or what it does. Giving pressured fish something different to look at can be the difference.

The town reaches is one giant rock bar, so make sure you drop into barramundi Jacks Rockhampton for a run-down.

The lads are always happy to help you out, plus it’s fishing tackle heaven in there.

At the time of writing, the freshwater run-off is still quite noticeable in the top half of the river.

The anglers with live imaging have been doing well on saltwater barramundi measuring 1-1.2m.

It’s not easy fishing when you only get one or two bites for the session, but the rewards speak for themselves.

Better numbers of school-size fish have been found in the Casuarina Creek area.

The cut-through has been fishing well with many anglers reporting consistent catches of both barra and king threadfin salmon.

The author likes drains on a run-out tide for barra heaven. The Humminbird Apex shows this drain is stacked.

Coorooman Creek has seen hot barra action on the rock bars.

If you’re fishing rock bars with live bait, make sure you run a single paternoster rig with a single dropper loop and a circle hook.

I use this method when live baiting with the kids because it keeps the hook and bait off the bottom and doesn’t snag as easily as a running ball sinker setup.

Anglers chasing barra on the rock bars have been pleasantly surprised by fingermark as well.

Now that’s a ripper by-catch in my opinion.

Fingermark would have to be the best eating fish out of the creek.

Offshore fishing has remained solid over the last month with coral trout and redthroat emperor biting around the reef edges.