| Fish Name | Barramundi ( Asian Sea Bass) |
| Scientific Name | Lates Calcarifer |
Nature of Barramundi Fish
| Hermaphroditic | As Barramundi is Hermaphroditic in nature it transforms from male to female after the first spawning season. |
| Protandrous | All Barramundi fish are born male only. |
| Stenothermic | Barramundi is highly sensitive to temperature and this fish is mostly found in waters above 20ºC (70ºF), preferred temperature range is between 26 and 30ºC (79 and 86ºF) |
| Catadromous | Barramundi is inhabitants of upstream rivers, billabongs, and lagoons and this fish moves to estuaries and coastal waters to spawn so that its babies can survive. |
| Euryhaline | Barramundi is very tolerant to a wide range of water salinity, that’s the reason they can survive in both freshwater and saltwater |
| Demersallive | Barramundi lives and feed on or near the bottom of water bodies like other Demersallive fish flatfish such as turbot and halibut and cod, and haddock. |
| Cannibalistic | Barramundi is very aggressive and sudden feeders, often eating smaller Barras and other small live bait fish like mullets, Sardines, and many more. |
When & Where Found
Barramundi is a species of catadromous fish in the family Latidae of the order Perciformes. The species is mostly found in the Middle East, Indo-West Pacific, SoutEeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.
Barramundi fish is very commonly found in the Freshwater and Brackish waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf through India, Southeast Asia, south China, and the Philippines, down to Papua New Guinea, and north Australia.
Barramundi fishing spots in Australia are Darwin in Northern Territory and Cairns in Queensland. Goa, Mumbai, Konkan, Malvan, and Andaman Islands are the most common fishing spots in India.
During the monsoon season, Barramundi travels upstream river for breeding as upstreams are very safe for Barramundi babies to survive.
HOW to CATCH Barramundi Fish?
As per my 20 years of Barramundi fishing experience, this fish can be caught at the River Upstream (Backwaters) – River Mouth, where the river merges with the sea, even on the upper side of the river where the river gets narrowed down and where there is some structures or group of rocks in the river which is considered as an ambush point for barramundi to target live bait fish.
Barramundi is one of the best fish to target, as Barramundi takes a wide variety of live bait. We can use the following methods to catch barramundi.
Live Bait
Live Mullet, Live Freshwater Shrimp, Live Sardine, and Live Prawns will be good bait for Barramundi fishing(Dead bait is very less effective for Barramundi Fishing).
Lures
Selection of lures is a very tricky topic as per different localities, water conditions, Depths, and water temperatures we need to select different lures for barramundi fishing.
Still, I can suggest to you some important lures which can be used. We can use Monnows, deep-diving spinning lures, Topwater lures like poppers, and stick bait.
Soft Shads work really great for barramundi fishing. We can use pre-rigged soft shads and soft shads rigged with jigheads.
If you want to check out more details about Lures for barramundi fishing check out my upcoming articles. I will try to share the article link here in the future.
Fishing Methods
Fishing methods used for barramundi fishing are Spinning, Popping, Jigging, Trolling, and Fly fishing.
Precaution
Barramundi fish is a very powerful fish we need to handle this fish very carefully as this fish have razor-sharp gill flaps which might give you cuts in your fingers and palm if handled with bare hands. Always use GAFF, Landing net, or Fish lip grip while handling.
Barramundi Fish Size
Barramundi can grow up to 180cm (6ft+) and 75kg+ (165lbs). The average catch size of barramundi, depending on the area we fish, might be between 1 and 30kg (60 lbs) and 2ft to 4ft in length.
World Record
As per records, the biggest Barramundi was caught by Angler Dennis Harrold from a Kayak at Lake Monduran in Dec 2010. This Barramundi Fish measured 135 cm with a girth of 107 cm and weighed 44.64 kg.
Is Barramundi fish Good to Eat?
Barramundi fish is very delicious like all other predator fish as these fishes consume live bait rather than rotten dead bait.
It’s very delicious in taste if cooked properly with love. This fish is most loved in all countries where this fish is found.
Rules & Regulations for Barramundi Fishing
Regulations for barramundi fishing in some common places are as follows. If you want to know about more countries please comment.
| Western Australia | Allowed only 2 fish between 55 and 80cm (21.65 and 31.5”) per angler in a day. |
| Northern Territory | Allowed daily only 5 fish minimum of 55cm (21.65”) per angler except in Mary and Daly River fish management zones. There it’s 3 fish between 55 and 90cm (21.65 and 35.43”), with one fish above the size limit allowed per vessel. |
| Queensland | The closed season is from November 1 to February 1, except for the Gulf of Carpentaria and adjoining waterways, where it’s from October 7 to February 1. During open season, 5 fish between 58cm and 120cm (22.83 and 47.24”) per angler are allowed in a day. |
| India | In India, no restrictions on the sea or river but at private ponds or creeks rules are imposed by the owner as per his choice. |
FAQ about Barramundi Fish
What is Barramundi Fish?
Barramundi Fish is a species of sea bass that is found in the Indo-Pacific region, primarily in the coastal waters of Australia and Southeast Asia. It is known for its firm, white flesh, and mild flavor.
What does Barramundi taste like?
Barramundi has a mild, buttery flavor that is often compared to grouper or halibut. Its flesh is firm and white, making it a popular choice for grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
Is Barramundi Fish healthy?
Yes, Barramundi is a healthy fish that is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins B12 and D. It is also low in mercury, making it a safer option than some other types of fish.
How do you cook Barramundi Fish?
Barramundi can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, pan-frying, baking, and even steaming. It is a versatile fish that can be flavored with a range of herbs and spices.
Are there any health concerns with eating Barramundi Fish?
While Barramundi Fish is generally safe to eat, it is possible for it to contain small amounts of environmental contaminants like PCBs or dioxins. However, the health benefits of eating Barramundi typically outweigh the potential risks.
Thanks for visiting our article. Please share your review about this article in the comment box. Best of luck to all anglers targetting Barramundi Fish. ..Tight Lines..
If you want to know basics bout fishing checkout our this article Beginners Guide to Fishing
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