What to catch in the Top End

Barramundi are Australia’s most iconic sports fish. Growing rapidly to up to 35kg they are a striking looking fish with a reputation as spectacular fighters when hooked, they will produce exhilarating aerial displays and blistering runs shaking lures ferociously. Barramundi are caught on a variety of lures and flies and occasionally with live bait. Barramundi are a highly prized eating fish.

King Threadfin of more than a meter are regularly encountered in the tidal estuaries, mangrove creeks and mud flats of the NT. A sought-after table fish King Threadfin are commonly caught while fishing for Barramundi. The King Threadfin is a fierce fighter that readily takes lures and flies.

Golden Snapper are prized reef fish. Known for their striking appearance and golden colour they are caught predominantly on in-shore reefs where they will aggressively take baits and jigs. Golden Snapper can grow to more than 90cm.

Saratoga are common in most freshwater rivers and lakes. They are aggressive surface feeders that will readily take flies and small lures. They grow up 80cm and are not considered a table fish.

Black Jew Fish are caught in a wide range of habitats, from rivers and estuaries to shallow inshore reefs and deep coastal holes and channels. The Black Jew can grow to 150cm and are an excellent table fish. They are caught readily on baits and jigs.

Red Emperor are one of Australia’s most prized and highly sought after table fish. They are found on deep water reefs and gravel patches and are a common catch on offshore trips in the NT.

In the NT you will commonly encounter at least 4 different Cod species. They are found across most habitats and regularly take baits, lures and jigs.

Spanish are the largest of the Mackerel found in the NT. They are prolific lure takers and fight hard once hooked. Spanish Mackerel can grow to 36KG and are excellent eating. They have razor sharp teeth and will destroy any gear not fitted with wire trace. Grey and Spotted Mackerel are common catches over coastal reefs and around bait schools. They are good eating and fun to catch.

Sail Fish to 18kg are common in NT waters. They are found around bait schools in the clean water wide of the coast.

Black Marlin are regularly caught while targeting Sail Fish and specimens to 240kg have been recorded.

These Trout are striking looking fish that inhabit offshore reefs in the NT. They can grow up to 90cm and weigh up to 20kg although specimens this large can be exceedingly difficult to get out of their reef homes. Trout have a pearly white flesh and are excellent eating.

The Grass Emperor are a common reef fish of the NT, growing to approximately 45cm. They are good eating.

Queenfish are a spectacularly acrobatic fighter that grow to over 100cm. They are common around rocky headlands and shallow reefs. They are not considered a table fish.

Giant Trevally are regularly caught trolling around shallow reefs and headlands. They are powerful fighters that can test gear and stamina.

Tuna schools are a regular sight along the NT coastline. They grow up to 15kg but 6kg is the common size. Tuna are normally caught by casting small jigs and slugs into the schools while they chase bait on the surface. They are powerful fighters and good eating if taken fresh.

Mangrove Jacks are normally on everyone’s bucket list. They are prolific lure takers that fight well above their weight. In the creeks and estuaries Jacks congregate in rocks, mangroves and sunken timber from where they flash out to grab lures. As they get bigger Jacks move out to offshore reefs where they can grow to over 14kg and more than 100cm. 

Probably on of the tastiest crustaceans anywhere in the world, the NT Mud Crab is a local delicacy. Boiled, steamed, grilled with chili, ginger, mango or just as nature intended, this is a must.

Cobia are another of the NT’s spectacular fighting fish that also provide excellent eating. They can grow to 1800cm but are more commonly caught around 100cm.