Barramundi
Lates calcarifer
Few fish have received the sort of publicity that the barramundi has in the Australian fishing press. Ask any Australian angler which fish they aspire to capture and I guarantee that the barra will rate in the top three.
Barra have gained a reputation for their aggresive strikes and acrobatics when hooked but do lack a little in stamina and their clean fight, they will often move into open water when hooked. Large fish are commonly caught on relatively light lines. What they lack in strength they certainly make up for with their spectacular headshaking jumps.
Taking barramundi on fly is indeed an adrenalin rush to be experienced. Having the big silver ghost cruise out behind a fly pause and then engulf it will turn just about any angler into a jibbering idiot.
As a table fish, barramundi rate very highly.
You will need :
A 6-9 weight outfit for fish upto 10kgs and a 10 weight for larger fish.
A 4-8kg leader. A shock leader of around 24kgs is required as barramundi have extremelly sharp gill rakers.
Flies to use are Leftys' Deceiver, Dahlberg Divers, Givens Black 'N' Barred and Pink Things. Other flies include the Barra Clouser and popping bugs.
My best Barramundi (12kg) to date
Location guide for Barramundi