I’ve been lucky enough to land a few metre-plus barramundi over the years and every one was unforgettable.

You can catch barra on live bait, soft plastics, vibes, hardbody minnows and surface lures. Having a good spread of barra lures that cover different depths is key.

When anglers travel north for their first barra trip, many rely on guide gear. It’s usually solid, but I prefer taking my own barra rod and reel combo with fresh braid so I know it’s ready to perform.

Baitcaster setups are the go for barra. They let you cast tight into snags where the fish hold, and once you get used to them they’re incredibly accurate.

If you’re planning a Northern Australia barra trip, get your combo early and practice your casting before you go. It’ll save a few lures in the trees and give you more time actually fishing.

These days I stick to a core range of barra lures that cover different depths, plus a solid mix of soft plastics.

Soft plastic prawns and vibes are deadly when the tide is high and you need to get deep into the snags.

And don’t overlook surface lures. A big barra boofing a popper or walk-the-dog lure is something you never forget.

Cheers,
Bergie