AKFF Wiki
  • Lates calcarifer

Overview[]

Min Size: 58cm.. Max size: 120cm.. Bag Limit: 5.. Closed Season: Midday November 1st - Midday 1st February on the East Coast. Barra are probably the most sought after species by fishermen in North Qld. They are commonly found in tidal rivers but also inhabit headlands that line the coast. There are two ways of catching barra: lure and live bait.Live baiting is the most commonly practised way of catching barra.

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Barra hiding under cover
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Hairymick caught this small Barra at Lenthalls Damn. Read the trip report here

Tackle[]

Those that target Barra in central and northern Queensland, have reported good results with soft plastics recently.

Techniques[]

Live Bait: The live bait usually consist of prawns,herring or poddy mullet with a cast net being used to catch these baits. Both the bait and barra will use the tide to help with their feeding.Baitfish move in to feed in the shallows on the run-in tide and the barra ambush them as the tide falls.

Lures: The gold bomber is a good "go to lure" if bait is scarce.Useing shallow diving minnows or soft plastics is a good approach if you have found areas that barra are holding.Vary the speed to suit the barra you are targetting.Salt water Barra are more active and will often move around and chase their food whereas their Impoundment counterparts are much more lazy and will hold in place and wait for their food to come to them. Soft plastics can be deadly especially for fussy fish,useing a slow and steady retrieve with slight twitch given from the rod tip.

Mangrove Jack,Salmon and Fingermark are often caught when targeting barra

Links[]