Barramundi

Size and possession limits: 

For up-to-date information on size and possession limits visit QLD Fisheries - Freshwater | Saltwater

The east coast of Queensland barramundi season closure runs from November 1 to January 31 each year. Mackay’s local impoundments are exempt from the closed season, however, a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in these dams (Eunglella, Kinchant and Teemburra).

Targeting:

You could write a book on targeting barra around the Mackay region because there are just so many locations to find them and ways to target them. From the Gooseponds in town and the stocked impoundments in the Pioneer Valley to the inshore islands, rocky headlands, and pristine estuaries, there are plenty of places to chase a barra.

Generally, there are three schools of thought when chasing barra – live bait, snag casting, and trolling or jigging/vibing. All techniques require a 4-8kg combo, preferably with a braided line over 7kg. 

When bait fishing, live mullet or herring are ideal with a 5/0 to 7/0 suicide hook and at least 10kg leader.  When luring the snags, pick something you can cast accurately and walk through heavy timber with confidence. Weedless-rigged soft plastics are a good start for newcomers. 

Trolling or vibing deep holes, rock bars and submerged structure usually produces a bigger quality of fish, so consider upping your leader. Barra will usually sit on the bottom and feed upwards, so make sure your lures are getting down there. These fish can also be lazy, so don’t work or troll lures too fast. Keep them in the strike zone as long as possible.

The freshwater impoundments are completely different fisheries to the salt, and anglers need to contend with large, sprawling weed beds. Surface lures at dawn and dusk are great fun and large weedless paddle-tail plastics slow-rolled are also deadly.