Best Lures for Barra Fishing

When fishing for barramundi (Barra), selecting the right lures is crucial to your success. Barramundi are predatory fish that can be quite selective about what they bite. Here are some of the best types of lures to use when targeting barra:

1. Hard-body Lures (Crankbaits)

• Depth Range: 0-3 meters (shallow), or deeper variants for deep water.
• Action: These lures offer a great wobble or rolling action that mimics a wounded baitfish, which is what barramundi typically prey on.
• Best Colors: Silver, gold, or natural colors that match local baitfish.
• Brands: Jackall Squirrel, Rapala X-Rap, and Sebile Action First.

2. Soft Plastics

• Types: Paddle tails, curl tails, and jerk baits are all popular choices.
• Best Colors: Natural colors like pearl, chartreuse, or bright orange.
• Action: Soft plastics are often used for slow presentations, giving barramundi an easy target to strike.
• Rigging Options: Use a jig head or weedless rig to avoid snags, especially in the weedy or rocky areas.
• Brands: Irukandji Tackle, Z-Man, Berkley Gulp!, and Squidgy.

3. Topwater Lures

• Types: Popper lures, walking lures, and buzz baits.
• Action: These lures create surface commotion that barramundi find irresistible, especially at dawn or dusk when they are actively feeding.
• Best Colors: Silver, white, or dark colors that contrast with the water surface.
• Brands: Halco Roosta Popper, Strike Pro.

4. Spinnerbaits

• Action: Spinnerbaits are great for fishing through snaggy areas, as their blades create vibrations that attract barra from a distance.
• Best Colors: Silver, gold, and white with flashy blades.
• Brands: Booyah, Reef Ranger.

5. Vibration/Blade Lures

• Action: These lures use a vibrating action, mimicking a distressed baitfish. They are great for cold or murky waters where barramundi rely on their lateral line to sense prey.
• Best Colors: Silver, gold, and dark tones.
• Brands: Classic Aussie lures like the TT Lures, and Jackall.

6. Jerkbaits

• Action: Jerkbaits are great when you want a subtle, erratic action, often used when barra are less active.
• Best Colors: Natural baitfish patterns or bright colors for higher visibility.
• Brands: Rapala, Megabass.

Tips for Barra Fishing:

• Timing: Barra are most active at dawn and dusk, but can bite during the day if the conditions are right.
• Water Temp: They prefer warmer waters (around 22–30°C).
• Location: Look for barra near structures like mangroves, rock bars, drop-offs, or around the mouths of estuaries.
• Retrieve Techniques: Vary your retrieve speed and action depending on the conditions. Sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works, while other times a fast, erratic action may trigger a strike.

The right lure can make all the difference when targeting this prized fish, so be sure to experiment with different types, colors, and actions until you find what works best for the conditions you’re fishing in.