Barramundi -- Barra for short -- is Australia's premier sportfish. Having your engulfed in an arm-jarring strike followed by a cartwheeling jump is one of fishing’s all-time highs.
The waters around Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia are a Barra-fishing Mecca. Fish of 20 pounds are common, and thanks to conservation programs, trophies over 40 pounds are caught each year.
Barramundi are a salt and freshwater sportfish. Their large silver scales may become darker or lighter, depending on their environment. Barramundi are mainly a summertime fish, but can be caught year round, and may be found frolicking in warm waters.
Barra can be caught by trolling lures or by casting them to in a huge variety of locations from tributaries that drain floodwaters from the wetlands to mangroves, rock bars or oyster encrusted headlands or reefs.
Season
One of the best times of year to get into some serious Barramundi fishing is the Run Off (March to May). It occurs at the end of the wet season when the floodplains are draining into the big rivers. Barramundi congregate at Run Off locations for an easy feed, making it easier for anglers to find the fish, and offering opportunities to tangle with a trophy Barramundi over the magic meter mark.
Tackle
These brutes can destroy wimpy rods, so bring heavy-action bait-casting or spinning outfits spooled with 20-pound mono for river and estuary work. Rig your line with strong leaders and hooks and large 6-8 inch lures.
Use lures to suit the terrain. If fishing upstream among weed beds for juveniles or downstream over the mud flats for larger fish, use a shallow-runner. The 6-inch gold Bomber Long "A" has probably caught more barras than any other lure.
When targeting fish in deeper tidal areas with steep banks or deep snags, use a lure that will get down to the fish. Lures that work well in this scenario include "C" lures, Leads deep divers and Rapala Shad Raps. Preferred colors include natural, pink/purple, gold and brown. Casting around the rocks can produce amazing strikes, so deft rod and footwork is required to stay connected.
Barramundi can also be bait-fished using fresh live prawns, mullets, sardines or mud herrings rigged to swim in the current.
QuesTackle.comhas a good selection of lures, flies, gear and other items for your barramundi trip.
Barramundi are a salt and freshwater sportfish. Their large silver scales may become darker or lighter, depending on their environment. Barramundi are mainly a summertime fish, but can be caught year round, and may be found frolicking in warm waters. 
One of the best times of year to get into some serious Barramundi fishing is the Run Off (March to May). It occurs at the end of the wet season when the floodplains are draining into the big rivers. Barramundi congregate at Run Off locations for an easy feed, making it easier for anglers to find the fish, and offering opportunities to tangle with a trophy Barramundi over the magic meter mark.
When targeting fish in deeper tidal areas with steep banks or deep snags, use a lure that will get down to the fish. Lures that work well in this scenario include "C" lures, Leads deep divers and Rapala Shad Raps. Preferred colors include natural, pink/purple, gold and brown. Casting around the rocks can produce amazing strikes, so deft rod and footwork is required to stay connected.
