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ARNHEMLAND BARRAMUNDI NATURE LODGE

Good bottom fishing in the harbour can occur on almost any tide with a bit of movement, but the key is to fish the turn of either the high or the low.

Night fishing is the best for greater numbers of fish, but they will often bite enthusiastically during the day as well.

The bigger tidal movements seem to concentrate fish closer to structure, although it does cut down the window of opportunity.

Local squid, pillies, fillets of smaller reef fish or mackerel bloodlines are all top baits.

For the growing number of anglers who like to jig for jewies and other reef dwelling critters, try knife jigs in 200-300 gm sizes, 4" or 6" shad style plastics on a heavy jig head, larger bucktail jigs, or drop-shotting with soft plastics on short droppers and worm hooks.

Drop-shotting has the added advantage of allowing a few different lures to be used simultaneously.

Try a Squidgy Fish on one dropper and a worm-style such as the Atomic Barra Worm on the other to see what they like on the day.

The usual snapper lead on the end of the setup can be replaced with a heavy knife jig for extra fish attracting appeal.

The larger Squidgy flick baits also work a treat, either as part of a drop-shot setup or on a heavy jig head. They need to be jigged more energetically than the shad style plastics because they have less intrinsic action.

Whatever you’re using, work them all the way back to the boat and you're a good chance of picking up pelagics like trevally or mackerel.

When they’re around, blue salmon can’t resist a jigged softie.

Offshore, anglers drifting pilchards in a berley trail were rewarded with smashing strikes from big mackerel.

According to Craig Grosvenor at Got One, crews fishing the Anglers Reef grounds experienced multiple hook-ups but got snipped off on most of the fish. A wire trace is essential if you want to get one of these monsters to the boat.

There has also been excellent inland fishing at Hardy’s Billabong and Four Mile Hole now that the weather is a bit warmer.

Most fish were around 60-65cm, with the occasional bigger fish thrown in to keep things interesting.

If you were put off by the weather last week, neap tides and dropping winds this weekend provide a perfect scenario for comfortable and productive fishing.

There’s still plenty of tuna and macks around in the bluewater, and the barra are on the chew in the Harbour.

The afternoon runout tide will be the best time to chase barra, particularly around the flats. The clearer water on neap tides will mean some exciting shallow-water sight fishing opportunities for anglers who can move quietly around under electric or pole-power.

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Humminbird Corroboree Park Challenge

This weekend the Palmerston Game Fishing Club are holding the annual Humminbird Corroboree Park Challenge. This is a great fun event, and is a staple of the NT fishing calendar. Competitors can fish anywhere from east of the Corroboree Park Tavern up to the South Alligator, starting at 6am on Saturday 16th and finishing at 2.30pm on Sunday 17th.

You can register for the competition at Fishing And Outdoor World, Got One or Happy Micks. If you wish to participate and need more details you can contact Club President Craig Wortlehock on 0438 270 512, Vice President Brian Lund on 0417 825 570 or check out the website at www.palmerstongamefishing.com.au. Craig will also be at the Corroboree Park Tavern from midday on Friday to take registrations, or latecomers can sign up on Saturday before 12.00.

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Barracade

NT Fisheries researchers are conducting the 20th annual barramundi census on Corroboree Billabong this week.

A 450m section at the most northerly end of the billabong (Catfish Island) is closed to recreational anglers this week, finishing on Friday 15th.

“This research is invaluable,” said NT Fisheries researcher Damian White.

“It provides an excellent snapshot of barramundi numbers, their age and their health and is an ongoing part of NT Fisheries commitment to monitoring fish stocks. The Territory has an enviable reputation as a haven for recreational fishing and we intend to keep it that way.”

Seven Fisheries researchers, using three boats, will conduct the research.

Heavy small mesh barrier nets will be used to cordon off the site at both ends.

Fisheries ask that the public do not enter the cordoned off area, but people interested in visiting them and discussing the research are most welcome.