Impoundment Barramundi Basics

Stocking barramundi into our freshwater impoundments over 20 years ago was possibly the best thing science did for barra anglers! It concentrated vast numbers of barramundi into an environment that allows them to grow big! The techniques that have built around this fishery and the understanding gained about not only impoundment fish but also wild fish as well has been a huge plus for the angling community. And with destinations such as Awoonga, Monduran, Peter Faust, Kinchant and Teemburra all producing regular captures over a metre, there’s no excuse not to be planning a trip.

There is a myth that it’s like shooting fish in a barrel, but this is far from the truth. Impoundment barra can be finicky, highly mobile, and sometimes they will almost outright refuse to eat anything. With a little bit of know-how though, and an understanding of their feeding habits, you can start to put together pieces of the puzzle and land yourself a dream catch

In terms of seasons, barramundi in lakes tend to become most active during spring. This is when their metabolism speeds up after their winter slumber, and the life around them starts to come out from hibernation as well. Daytime temperatures are not high enough to send them sulking in the deep water, and nights are pleasant, which is usually their preferred time to hunt.

This is not to say they can’t be caught outside of this time. Summer can see good catches in deeper water, while autumn and winter can often see these same fish trying to warm their bodies in shallow water during the day. They still have to eat, and if you can find hungry fish, you’ll catch them.

Side-scan technology on sounders has made impoundment barra fishing a lot easier. Anchoring, tying up or using the spot-lock function on an electric motor in areas like wind-blown points, bays and channels and waiting for fish to cruise past certain is most anglers’ preferred way to find these fish. All the while, these anglers are casting tirelessly to make sure there’s lures in the water when they do come past!

For hardbodies, you can’t go wrong throwing a Bassday Sugar Deep, Halco RMG Scorpion or  Rapala Ripstop. If you want to use soft plastics, Zerek Fish Traps, Zerek Flat Shads and Westin Shad Teez Plastics have proven how effective they are on this enigmatic species before.

However you choose to go about it, try to time your trips with the full moon, as this is when larger fish will feed under the light of the moon.

Once you find a good area, just keep casting and maintain faith. It will happen, and when a metre-plus chromed behemoth breaks free of the water trying to shake your lure free from its mouth, all those unanswered casts will be forgotten!