BIG barras have been on the chew in recent weeks for visitors to the Top End’s Arnhemland’s Barramundi Nature Lodge.
The Lodge reports four barra well over the metre mark were landed over the Easter holiday, including three in one day, and another was landed the next day.
The biggest fish measured 117cm on the Brag Mat and was landed by Lodge client Michelle Bissaker who was expertly guided by Lance “The Barra Whisperer” Butler. Shortly after stepping off the plane, Michelle and husband Mark were ushered straight into a waiting boat and were catching barra within minutes of hitting the water. After getting their eye in catching 20 or so mid-size fish, Michelle’s Killalure Needlenose lure was blitzed by the 117cm fish pictured here. This is by far Michelle’s biggest barra and her first metrey to boot!
Legendary barra guide Lance Butler and Michelle Bissaker with her magnificent 117cm barra – caught on a Killalure Needlenose, designed by Butler.
Word has it that the guides were keeping a close eye on schools of mullet that were being herded into the shallows by these big fish then actively targeting these areas with the lures of choice being Killalure Needlenose (shallow runner) and the big Bomber Long A 16A.
Other notable barras over a metre included Richard Crandon’s 110cm fish. It was Richard’s third time at the Lodge and he was still looking for his elusive metre-plus fish. Richard landed his trophy barra on the first day of his trip!
Brian Pate’s 113cm barra was busily herding mullet when it decided to take a shallow-running Killalure Needlenose.
Brian Pate recorded a beautiful 113cm barra while another Lodge guide Peter Twine went exploring on his day off and came up trumps with a 115cm barra.
Lodge Guide Peter Twine also got into the act on his day off with a ripper 115cm fish.
The day after Easter Guide Ben Pfeffer put David Liddell on to a 106cm fish which was the second metery for Richard Crandon’s party. In addition to all the metre plus barra there are still good catches of up to 50 barra per boat days being reported on a regular basis.
Lodge guide Lennie Sibio (L) helps Richard Crandon with his trophy 110cm barra caught on a green Bomber.
For info on the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge go to: barralodge.com.au
