Northern Australia is blessed with some of the most diverse fishing. Probably the main ingredient in that is the enormous amount of rain that the area receives every wet season. The flooding that causes chaos for residents and primary producers delivers much-needed nutrients and distribution of the next generation of sports fish. The rain stops the rivers drop but the billabongs remain replenished and ready to provide visiting sports fisho’s some incredible fishing up to the start of the next wet season.
Barra Lodge: This remote and exclusive area offers first-class barramundi and sportsfishing between the months of March and November each year. Traditionally there are two peak fishing periods per year, the “Run-off” (March/April) and the “Build-up” (October/November/early December). You will primarily target the famous barramundi but you will most likely encounter a number of other saltwater estuary species such as threadfin and blue salmon, mangrove jack and black jewfish. Venturing offshore, golden snapper, coral trout, bluebone, queenfish, Spanish mackerel, broad-barred mackerel, longtail tuna, giant trevally, golden trevally, cobia, and that icon sportfish the giant herring are abundant in the warm tropical waters that adjoin the Arnhem Land coast. There may also be opportunities for freshwater fishing for barramundi, tarpon and Saratoga.
Melville Island Lodge (Tiwi Sportsfishing) Through an exclusive lease with traditional Melville Island landowners, Melville Island Lodge offers sport-fishing access to five magnificent and barely touched river systems; Snake Bay, Shark Bay, the Johnson and Jessie Rivers, and famous Goose Creek. Add to this a wide variety of smaller coastal creeks and inlets, plus a virtually untouched range of coastal and off-shore fishing options, and it’s easy to understand why the waters in and around Melville Island truly are an anglers paradise.
No matter if you want to visit the Arnhem land barramundi lodge or the barra lodge as it is called as well maybe you want to go a little bit further east and have a crack at Dhipirri Barra and sports fishing lodge. You are definitely going to find some good fish.
Bamurru Plains: The Barramundi is arguably Australia’s most prized sports fish and the Northern Territory’s Top End is by far the best place to target them. In the wet, the Mary River floodplains are full of water and Barra, as are the creeks of the Mary River System which adjoin Bamurru Plains. Wild Bush Fishing Safaris operate over these months and during this time Bamurru Plains is transformed into a fishing lodge, the base from which anglers fish each day. The regular operations of Bamurru Plains are much more casual over these fishing months, especially with regards to food which is a much more simple (though no less delicious!) affair.
Dhipirra located approximately 25km South East of Milingimbi, we are the only guided fishing charter company that has exclusive rights to operate in this particular area. We have approval from the local traditional owners allowing us access to two major rivers plus coastal reefs with > Excellent Barra Fishing > Pelagics & Reef fishing > Mud crabbing > Sight fishing > Fly fishing – tackle not included with this option.
Although not strictly Billabong fishing they do have access to one of the best Saratoga Creeks in Australia Goose Creek. Tiwi Islands Adventures: is located on the Tiwi Islands, a scenic 30-minute flight from Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia. We have exclusively operated here since 1998 and cater for anglers of ALL skill levels, plus small corporate groups, seeking a remote, yet comfortable, professionally guided sport-fishing experience. We provide our guests with a high-quality catch & release fishing adventure situated in a spectacular and pristine wilderness environment. Dominant fish species include barramundi, mangrove jacks, threadfin salmon, Saratoga, golden snapper, black jewfish, queenfish, giant trevally, Spanish mackerel plus 40 or more.