P6 - FISH & BOAT, February 2019 Fishing From previous page with a Daiwa HRF PE 7.3R-TW. The author with a big girl over the 50lb mark. There are many different options for Trying to hold these fish for a photo can be great barra combos for all scenarios quite challenging. and price ranges. Inset: From top to bottom: 7 inch Yum Money My advice is to talk to one of the Minnow, Reidy’s Rubber (Karen’s Pearl), great tackle stores in Darwin and Reidy’sWeedies (Gold Dust), Zerek Flat Shad, buy the best that you can afford. 5 inch Air Gap, Zerek Swim Bait, Reidy’s Fish You don’t need super expensive gear Snakz (008 – Soon to be released and Gold). to catch great barra. The best two tackle stores in Darwin, in my opin- ion, are Craig’s Fishing Warehouse and Fishing and Outdoor World. Everyone that works there are seri- ously good fisherman and know a lot more about barra fishing than myself. With line, you should look at 30lb braid for main line and 50-60lb fluorocarbon as a leader. However, while fishing in those small coastal creeks that are only a few metres wide and all snagged up, there is a real possibility of connect- ing with a 120cm plus fish. Some guides use really beefed up gear like Venom Black Bass rods, 80lb braid and 100lb leader in an attempt to stop these raging chrome mis- siles from making you look stupid. Standby for burnt thumbs. What are the best barra lures? Well, you could probably ask the 50 best barra guides in the country that same question and get 1000 differ- ent answers. So I will just give you a small insight on what I use and find extremely effective. Basically, you need to cover your trolling and casting needs, in both hard bodies and soft plastics. And sometimes, size really does colours are Kryptonite, Cuss, Tropi- lures for great success. In saying this, If your leader is becoming short, cut No fish is worth your life. matter. Elephants eat peanuts, but cal Thunder, 008, M10, M15 andyou should also have a few plasticsit off and do it again. Some of theseMake sure you have all the safety sometimes those big girls want 7 Slimy Mackerel. See reidyslures. in your arsenal. I use Airgaps, Zerek things are a serious pain in the ass, gear in date, including a registered inch plus plastics and hard bodies com.au for more details. Flat Shads and Swim Baits. Andespecially in a hot bite. But look at itEPIRB. And take plenty of water 200mm plus. Trolling shallower than 2m offrom Reidy’s you will be well servedthis way. You have just possibly spentand fuel. Some of the coastal creeks For trolling 2-5m water depth, I water, and yes, you will find plenty to have a selection of Fish Snakz, several thousand dollars on a fishing are over 100km from the nearest am a huge Reidy’s Lures fan. They of large barra lurking in 1m of wa- Reidy’s Rubbers and Reidy’s Weed- trip of a lifetime. You see a slightly ramp, and if you were to get stuck consistently catch ter, I change to ies. Also, pack a few larger plastics open ring, or you have repeatedlyon a mud bar, it can be several hours the largest fish dur- Big crocs willattack your boatthe large YoZuriaround 7-10 inch. If you find largethroughout the day straightened ahook. And then a 60 pounder jumpsbefore you get to float back off. Or if ing the Barra Na- if they feetionals and Barra las though you are Crystal BomberMin- barra boofing really big mullet, youwill be hard pressed to entice a strikeon and you lose it due to that weak-your engine breaks down, an EPIRBmight be the only thing to get your- Classic held on the threateningtheir food source. nows,Longshots and on a 4-inch plastic. ness in the terminal tackle. Would self rescued Daly River. And Nofish is worthyour life. 2 Deadlys. And One of the best pieces of advice I you be able to forgive yourself? I would like to reiterate that this on my boat, they don’t be fooled can give you is “Don’t be lazy”. If you Lastly, but definitely not least, is advice is not hard and fast. have accounted for 11 fish over 1m, into thinking that the 2 Deadly is have a fray on your leader, cut it off have fun and be safe. There is a huge But rather a bit of a guide to get and 4 of those were 119-122cm…just a popping lure. Slow troll thatand retie your lure. If you straightenpopulation of crocs in the NT. As-first timers started on the right path, Genuine horses. Without a doubt,in very shallow water and hang on!a hook or open a ring (and you will),sume they are everywhere. If a bigor seasoned run off fishermen a dif- you need to have Big B52’s, Big Ass When you are casting at eddy’s,replace it. I always keep a selectioncroc takes an interest in your boat,ferent perspective to consider. B52’s, Big Ass B52 200’s, Judges and run off creeks up a river or in the of trebles and rings ready to go.then move. Big crocs will attack yourWhen you make the journey to the Renegades. These are all different small coastal creeks you can also Make sure your knots are sound and boat if they feel as though you are NT, good luck. I can’t wait for the lengths and depths. And must have use any of the previously mentioned tested before your lure hits the water. threatening their food source. runoff. It’s going to be awesome. This big chrome slab couldn’t help herself when a Reidy’s Big B52 in Kryptonite swam past. Inset: Various shallow water lures. From top to bottom: YoZuri Crystal Minnow, Bomber Longshot (Gold and Chartreuse), 2 Deadly (Tigerlilly).