An exciting & popular target for anglers in Northern Australia, Barramundi responds well to lures either cast or trolled.

Barramundi is a loanword from a Queensland         Aboriginal language meaning "large scales" or "large, scaly river" fish. The Barramundi inhabits rivers & descends to estuaries & tidal flats to spawn.

Barramundi has gained a reputation as one of Australia's finest eating fish.

QUEENFISH                                                               (Scomberoides commersonianus)

Can be taken all year round, usualy near rocky headlands & exposed reefs at creeks & river mouths.

This great sports fish offers spectacular acrobatics once hooked. A fast, voracious & active fish!

SPANISH MACKEREL & AUSTRALIAN SPOTTED MACKEREL (Scomberomorus commerson / Scomberomorus munroi)

Are most abundant in the later half of the year. They too frequent waters around rocky headlands & exposed reefs, but also feed above shallow reefs next to deeper water.

Caught all year round. Giant Trevally is less migratory & usually stays in areas of shallow reefs & strong tidal flows.

The Giant Trevally uses its superior swimming abilities & power to hunt small baitfish.

GOLDEN TREVALLY  (Gnathanodon Speciosus)

Caught all year round. They are found near reefs & rocky outcrops as well as coastal estuary systems.

A schooling fish, often making migratory runs up & down the coast. Distinguished by large fleshy lips, this species is a hard & stubborn fighting fish that takes lures aggressively.

Share the same habitat as salt-water Barramundi, preferring shallow estuaries & creeks. They can be encountered at anytime of the year but are more prevalent in the later half, particularly in the build-up to the wet season.

COBIA or BLACK KINGFISH  

(Rachycentron canadus)

Are rarely encountered in numbers but they can turn up anywhere in saltwater, from the widest offshore reefs to shallow waters well inside estuaries.

Powerful & tough battler providing long, fast runs once hooked.

Mangrove Jack inhabit the estuarine waters of Northern Australia. They are attracted to snaggy areas of submerged trees and mangrove roots along the edges of estuaries, rivers and tidal creeks. Mature fish move out to offshore reefs.

A rough, tough sport fish that pulls hard when hooked and uses cover to its advantage.

Estuary Cod inhabit tropical and subtropical waters. They occur on coral reefs and rocky sea beds in turbid areas, to depths of 100m. They are often found in brackish water over mud and rubble. They make frequent use of shelters, which suggests an ambush method of feeding.

Saratoga (Scleropages Jardini)

A well regarded angling species, Saratoga are spectacular, jumping fighters and are a favourite amongst fly fishers.

Prefers long deep muddy holes with overhanging vegetation. Saratoga are solitary fish and are very territorial and aggressive to other members of their species. Captured specimens often exhibit the scars of past battles.

Black Jewfish (Protonebia diacanthus)

The black Jewfish resembles the mulloway, but has a more pointed tail and lacks a dark spot above the pectoral-fin base. It is bronze-grey to blackish along the back and the sides are paler with bright silvery reflections. 

This species can be found congregating in shoals offshore, and have even been seen shoaling beneath an anchored boat. They are also often found in coastal bays, tidal rivers and estuaries, on soft bottoms to a depth of about 60m.

A first class predator providing an initial fast and powerful run when hooked.

Coral Trout are a warm water reef dweller with smaller fish inhabiting coral reefs and the larger fish found off deeper reefs around 15-20m in depth. Prefers areas where the reef drops off and has plenty of current.

Hits hard and runs to the cover of reef crevices and holes.

They are found around offshore and inshore reefs, estuaries, harbours, bays, off rocks, breakwalls and beaches. Snapper are a bottom dweller and tend to hold and feed over very rough reef and in deep holes.

The fish tend to run hard and deep when hooked heading for the cover of the reef. In deep water the fish can provide a tough fight. 

Blue Salmon (Eleutheronema tetradactylum)

Blue Salmon inhabit mid to bottom waters. They can be found in estuaries and muddy rivers and occasionally enter freshwater.

Fingermark (spotted-scale sea perch / Lutjanus johnii)

Adults of this species range in colour from dark orange-red over the back and upper-flanks to red-brown and olive-brown, depending on their habitat. They are easily identified by the large dusky-red blotch or fingermark, lying immediately beneath the soft dorsal fin. The colour of this blotch varies depending on the mood of the fish. They are a large species, growing up to 90cm.

Fingermark can often be found in inshore waters, mangrove areas and around headlands.

Fish are taken by sight-casting lures to the school or trolling round it. Northern Territory Tuna when hooked are stubborn. Fast runs can be expected before they are subdued.

Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

Barracuda are a migratory fish that prefers the warmer waters of the tropics. They can be found along rocky headlands, inshore reefs, wrecks, estuaries, creeks, beaches and jetty pylons with an attraction to weed beds. They prefer areas such as large sand flats, shallow rock, shallow reef or dry sandbanks, with adjacent weed bed areas which they use to bottle up and concentrate baitfish populations. The smaller to medium sized fish form into minor schools whereas the larger fish greater than 15kg or so are loners.

Also commonly referred to as Blubone. This fish inhabits coral reefs and rock-weed areas; distinguished by abruptly pale chin and pale area at base of pectoral fins, the head profile becomes increasingly steep with growth.

Found on reef areas all round the coast.

Bottom fishing with fresh fish or squid baits produces the best results.

Found in mangrove creek systems on mud flats in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW. Orange to brown appearance, this crab has powerful claws that require careful handling.