TROPICAL BARRA ESTUARIES

In the final episode of Series 3, Starlo and Jo again join Fish’s Fly & Sportfishing (www.weipaflyfish.com.au) in the rich waters around Weipa, this time pursuing the area’s most famous and sought-after species: the mighty barramundi. They cast their lures and baits amongst the mangrove roots of the tidal estuaries and find a good deal more on offer than barra.

RODS

While baitcaster or overhead gear is still popular in barra waters, light to medium spinning (threadline) tackle based on 2 to 2.5 metre Shimano spin rods is also well suited to casting lures or baits for barra and other tropical estuary sportfish.

REELS

Starlo and Jo use medium weight 2500 to 4000-size Shimano spinning reels from the well-priced Stradic and Navi ranges

LINE

Thin, strong braided main lines cast extra well and cut through the water efficiently. Starlo and Jo typically choose PowerPro in 15 to 30 pound breaking strains for this style of fishing and always knot a rod-length or so of 30 to 60 pound Ocea fluorocarbon to the end of the main line… Barra are tough on leaders!

TERMINAL TACKLE

A range of Squidgies and various floating/diving hard bodied lures work well on barra and other tropical estuary dwellers, and Jo also sneaks a little bait fishing into this final segment of the series!


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WEIPA INSHORE SPORTFISHING

Starlo and Jo hooked up with Fish’s Fly & Sportfishing (www.weipaflyfish.com.au) guiding operation in Weipa, chasing a variety of exciting inshore species in the shallow, clear waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. In this episode they kick off casting lures from the sandy beaches for queenfish, “blue bastards” (sweetlips) and other line burners, before heading out in the boat to mix it with some muscular cobia or black kingfish.

 

RODS

Light to medium spinning (threadline) tackle based on 2 to 2.5 metre Shimano spin rods is ideal for casting lures at tropical fish cruising the beaches and flats.

REELS

Starlo and Jo chose medium weight 2500 to 4000-size Shimano spinning reels from the company’s Stradic and Navi ranges.

LINE

Fine, strong braided main lines work extra well, and both Starlo and Jo prefer PowerPro in 10, 15 and 20 pound breaking strains for this style of fishing. They always attach a rod-length leader of 25 to 50 pound Ocea fluorocarbon to the working end of the line, remembering that lots of northern species have sharp teeth or gill covers!

TERMINAL TACKLE

A range of Squidgies soft plastics and Squidgies jig heads, metal slices such as Raiders, small poppers and various floating/diving hard bodied lures get the job done beautifully. Quality polarised sunglasses are also essential tools. Steve and Jo wear Mako Eyewear exclusively and swear by these premium sunnies.


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