One place which has been fishing extremely well is Mandorah Jetty.

A group of interstate anglers who visit the Top End each year, and fish only land-based from Mandorah, have been catching big GTs (and losing plenty more around the pylons), big longtail tuna, including an amazing 15 kg fish, and even the occasional big Spanish mackerel.

Mind you, they put in the hard yards, jigging squid before dawn and keeping them alive to use as live-bait during the day.

Speaking of live bait, some excellent barra – 90-95 cm – have been caught on live mullet up the harbour arms.

Shoal Bay and the Howard River has also been fishing well for barra, certainly better than you’d expect at this time of year.

However, my choice for a wind-escaping option would have to be one of our great inland waterways.

A day on Corroboree Billabong, for example, is certain to produce both barra and saratoga for any angler who knows his or her way around these species.

A bit further afield at Four Mile Hole, cricket score catches are available once you get the hang of this delightful Kakadu waterway.

This is a great lagoon for anglers who like to cast for barramundi.

There are plenty of snags and lily patches to probe, and both small, diving minnows and soft plastics work.

Another favourite of mine is Alligator Billabong on the South Alligator system.

Once again, there are plenty of snags and weedy banks but, if you look carefully, you might just find a small, submerged rockbar that is just crawling with hungry barra.

Enough said on that.

For those who like the comforts of a cold beer at the bar and an air-conditioned room, then Yellow Water is the shot.

This is always a great fishing hole, and the pub nearby will give you all the civilisation you need.

Perhaps one final inland spot – which only requires a half day to fish – is the Mary River Bridge Lagoon.

It has a concrete boat ramp, more bankside structure to cast at than most inland waterways I know, and plenty underneath for those preferring to troll.

And if you like eating your barra, then take it from me that the sandy bottom in this lagoon contributes to a fine-tasting fish.

Top End barra anglers can look forward to some exciting new tackle following the annual Shimano Tackle Show held at the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge over the last fortnight.

Each year, this major Australian fishing tackle company flies tackle shop owners from around the country to Arnhem Land where it introduces them to all its latest product.

Once again, guests also had the opportunity to field test a range of quality gear on a variety of species.

This year, stronger-than-normal easterlies for part of the trip made it difficult to fish the bluewater, but there were still several hundred barra caught and a total of 43 species.

Of interest to fishing guides, in particular, will be the two new Curado baitcasters, one with a 5:1 gear ratio and the other with an amazing 7:1 gear ratio.

The rugged Curado has long been a favourite with guides, and these new models have the feel and smoothness of more upmarket reels like the Chronarch.

The Calcutta DC200, Shimano’s top-of-the-range baitcaster, has been added to with a a 100 and 250 version.

The new Shimano TCurve baitcasting rods were also on display.

Great to both cast and fight fish with, they’re sure to find appeal with Darwin’s burgeoning barra brigade.

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According to the Darwin Flyrodders Club President, Ross Marriner: “Fly fishing is becoming more popular in the Top End, especially from anglers
who are looking for a new fishing challenge.”

In case you didn’t catch the item in yesterday’s NT News, the club is holding flycasting clinics designed to help both new and experienced flyfishers.
The clinics will be conducted by Darwin’s own Graeme and Dorothee Williams of Insight Fly
Fishing at Lake Alexander on Sunday 7 August and Saturday 24 September 2005 from 8:00 am until midday.

For more information, contact  Ross Marriner on 0418 113506 or Graeme and Dorothee Williams on 0412 481 59.