Often known for its spectacular violent head shaking leaps from the water during a fight, the Barramundi justifiably commands respect from those who fly fish for the specie. Surprisingly, this, the gamest of all game fish is relatively unknown to many fly fishermen. Pound for pound the Barramundi will outrun, outstrip and outfight any salmonoid or Large Mouth Bass. After landing his first ever Barramundi, Dave Williams remarked "this fish does not know when to give up"
Dave Williams with his first ever Thailand Barramundi
Barramundi, Lates calcarifer is a catadromous species; it grows to maturity in the upper reaches of freshwater rivers and descends downstream to estuaries and coastal waters for spawning. They are also protoandrous hermaphrodites: they start life as males, reaching maturity at 3 to 4 years old and later change gender to become females, usually at around 5 years old.
Barramundi are usually a pale blue to grey-green colour with a coppery shimmer, silvery on the sides and white below. It has a pointed head, concave forehead a large jaw extending behind the eye and a rounded caudal fin. It has a first dorsal fin with seven or eight strong spines and a second soft-rayed dorsal fin with ten or eleven rays. They can grow to a maximum length of 2 m (6 ft 7 in), weighing in up to 60 K (130 lbs). Specimens weighing around 8 - 20 lbs are more commonly caught in Thailand. Although larger fish are both seen and caught.
Thailand Barramundi are found primarily in the Chachoengsao district adjacent to the Bang Plakon river. Dry season saline intrusion into this low gradient river has saturated the surrounding low laying land with salt for centuries. Aided by a network of irrigation canals, there is a profusion of brackish water lakes and ponds which are ideal homes for Barramundi. The fish caught are an average of 10 lbs with specimens reaching 20 lbs plus. There are currently 3 IGFA Barramundi fly fishing world records from this area.
Nicely hooked in the scissors, the evidence of a surface taking Barramundi
The Thailand Barramundi is the most obliging of gamefish. It is an ambushing, opportunist feeder during night and daylight hours. It will also take a fly out of aggression, curiosity and territorial defence instincts. Its diet includes baitfish, crayfish, crab and its younger, smaller siblings. Its usual method of feeding is to suck the prey into its large mouth, then expel the excess water through its gills. Generally, Thailand Barramundi commence daylight feeding during late morning, around 11 am. As the day progresses, so the Barramundi feeding becomes more intense. At the same time their metabolism increases, so as the day progresses, the Barramundi becomes stronger and a fiercer fight ensues. Also, rather strangely, the brighter and more intense the sunlight - the better the flyfishing !
Barramundi Fly Fishing Pond, Thailand
Fly Fishing Tackle
Flyfishing tackle for Barramundi fishing comprises a rather straightforward setup. A 9 foot, 7 to 9 weight fly rod will do the job. Choose a 7 weight fly rod if fishing snag-free smaller waters and the 9 weight fly rod for larger waters with snags, old pilings etc. A fly rod designed for saltwater use has the added advantages of being designed to throw a larger fly and is resistant to the salty brackish water. Check with us before deciding which fly rod to use.
Like most fish, the Barramundi will head, at an alarming speed, for a snag or obstruction when hooked. Turning a determined Barramundi is not easy with a small rod.
The fly reel must be large enough to hold a minimum of 150 yards of 30 lb. dacron backing. Ideally, use a reel a size larger than recommended for the line weight. Beware the self proclaimed “experts” who claim the fly reel is used only to store line, they have never caught a large fish in this class. Every Barramundi you catch will be played from the fly reel and most fish will take you well into your backing. As the backing is run out by the fish you may sometimes see the reel arbour appear - not a good time to wonder how well you tied the backing knot onto the arbour ! A good quality fly reel is essential - it’s the fly reel’s drag quality and setting that protects your tippet from breaking. Remember that all Barramundi fly fishing will take place in salty brackish water - be sure your fly fishing gear can withstand this. A thorough wash down with fresh water immediately after fly fishing is mandatory.
When fly fishing for Barramundi it is frequently necessary to search the water at all depths and adopt a range of different techniques. Therefore, a range of lines are required. RIO tropical saltwater lines are the best choice. The RIO Tropical Clouser taper floater, together with an intermediate sink tip or intermediate line and a RIO density compensated deep sinker will cover all potential fly fishing situations.
Fly Leaders
Leaders fall into two categories. Those who wish to submit a world record claim to the IGFA are obliged to comply with IGFA rules. Essentially, the leader will comprise a butt section of mono, with a perfection or non-slip loop at each end. To ensure a good turnover the butt section is tied from two pieces of mono. RIO IGFA rated saltwater hard mono is the only mono I use. It has superb abrasion resistance, it is stiff, yet supple enough to withstand the high water temperatures and breaks just below the stated breaking strain. For 7 weight fly rods the butt combination is 10 kg to 8 kg. For 9 weight fly rods the butt combination is 12 kg to 10 kg. The only suitable knot to join the two but sections is a four turn double grinner (uni). A blood knot, or water knot (surgeons) is not strong enough for Barramundi fly fishing.
Attached to the butt section by a loop to loop join, is the shock leader and class tippet. If fishing to IGFA regulations the shock leader must not exceed 12 inches (30 cms) between the hook eye and knot and the class tippet must be a minimum length of 15 inches (38 cms) between knots. A class tippet varies, IGFA tippet classes vary from 1 Kg (2 lbs) to 10 Kg (20 lbs). A 4 Kg (8 lb.) class tippet is safe. However, If you are seeking an IGFA world record in Thailand the class tippet must be 3Kg (6 lb.) or below. We can, if requested, ensure compliance.
A common rig is to use is a shock leader of 15 Kg (33 lb.) mono attached to the fly with a non-slip loop. This allows the fly to easily move in the water. However, the introduction of RIO Knottable Wire Bite Tippet has made a significant contribution to fly presentation.
I recently took a day off from guiding and of course - went fly fishing. I fly fished with a fly fishing guide buddy of mine and we decided to compare the two shock leaders. I used the RIO 20 lb. wire and he used the accepted 15 Kg (33 lb.) RIO IGFA saltwater hard mono. I had twice as many takes and landed twice the number of fish. Just to verify the result he changed to the RIO wire tippet and hooked 3 fish in 3 casts !
When forming the leader, remember that the two sections are of dissimilar diameter and this must be considered when tying the knot. A knot shown to me by Sean Clarke of Farlows (London) has never yet failed. I use this whenever required in all fishing situations - including flyfishing for sailfish, marlin and giant trevally. This knot is detailed to the right.
If you are not interested in potentially claiming an IGFA World Record. Change your leader dimensions to 50 cm (20”) of shock tippet and 20 cm (8”) of 8 lb. class tippet.
Fly Selection
Probably the biggest headache facing a fly fisherman when fly fishing a new water and for a new species is which fly to select. There is an abundance of fly fishing information (possibly too much) available to the trout and salmon fly fisherman. Fortunately, Thailand Barramundi are not too fussy (yet may, at times become infuriatingly selective) when it comes to fly size and pattern. However, the right pattern, at the right time, presented at the right depth is selected through experience - your fly fishing guide will advise you on the day.
The most important factor is to keep the fly in the water - presented to the Thailand Barramundi. Too much fly fishing time can be wasted by continually rummaging in fly boxes and changing flies without good reason.
To save time while fly fishing prepare the flies ready tied to the leader with a non-slip loop. A useful knot tying tip for this knot with large diameter mono (15 lbs +) is when the knot is formed, but before drawing tight - smear the turns of nylon/wire with a tiny hint of RIO Poo Goo, this is pure silicone. This added lubricant allows the knot to be easily snugged up and tightened.
First - Find Your Fish
Barramundi are ambush feeders. This leads many anglers to mistakenly believe that fly fishing for Thailand Barramundi is possible only adjacent to areas providing cover; for example large boulders, rock outcrops, weedbeds or pilings. However, Thailand Barramundi will take the fly impelled by curiosity, aggression or territorial defence. Also, note the colouration of the Thai Barramundi. The overall silvery flanks reflect it’s surroundings and the olive coloured back provides camouflage from above, making it almost invisible in the water. This allows the fish to adopt a stationary, unobserved position anywhere in the water. Even if not actively feeding, the Barramundi is willing to take a food item if presented close-by.
A new featureless water, a recent fly fishing venue, showed a promising start. The Thailand Barramundi were in good form and were easily seen rolling in the water just sub-surface. When the Barramundi are this obliging, one needs only to cast to the sighted fish. The fly fishing that day was outstanding. However, the Barramundi periodically stopped showing and the water had to be prospected. After landing a Barramundi, I had flicked out the line allowing the fly to rest on the water while I stripped line from the fly reel, ready to cast. The fly was motionless and no more than a rods length from the bank. Suddenly a 12 lb. Barramundi came from nowhere and struck into the stationary fly with a rare ferocity. This happened twice. This suggests both Barramundi were in their own territory and either struck at the fly as an opportunist feeding action, curiosity or territorial defence. It is also interesting that on both occasions the fly was static and very close to the bank.
If the Thailand Barramundi are not showing the water must be prospected. When prospecting the water, keep in mind that Thailand Barramundi may lie very close to the bank. Also, remember this is not a distance casting tournament. First cast close to the shore, then gradually move along after casting. This avoids putting the fly line on the water on top of a potentially taking Barramundi and scaring it into the depths.
A proven methodical way is to fly fish the water as one would fly fish a Scottish trout / salmon loch. This allows the fly angler to cover the water casting and moving rhythmically whilst keeping the line and fly in the water rather than in the air.
Watch other fly fishermen as they approach and cast on a stillwater. Inevitably, the fly fisherman will take up position as shown in the diagram and cast the longest line he can towards the 12 o’clock mark. The quest for distance will involve a huge amount of effort, double hauling and many false casts. Watch as the angler moves to cover more water. He will probably move to his left or right, yet continue to cast directly towards the 12 o’clock mark. Although he feels he is covering a lot of water, most of the Barramundi between his maximum casting distance at 12 o’clock and the bank are being scared into deeper water by the perpetual flash of his false casting and by the line landing in the water over their heads. Any fish laying close to the bank, say within 10 yards, will be startled by the fly fisherman as he moves along the bank.
Take a look at the above diagram. The fly fisherman makes his first cast towards the 3 o’clock point. The fly landing about 3 yards from the bank. The length of cast is important - about 12 to 15 yards of fly line is sufficient. The cast should be of a comfortable distance. Retrieve only 5 yards of line. This allows for a comfortable pick up and backcast - permitting an easy second forward cast. As you finish the retrieve; take one or two steps in the direction of the arrow, turn your body and move your feet to face the 2 o’clock mark before making the backcast. Work through the anti-clockwise cycle until you reach the 12 o’clock mark and repeat the cycle. The object is to cover all of the water in this quadrant without false casting. Ensure the length of fly line you are casting is a comfortable cast. If you are not comfortable - shorten the distance of the cast a little. As you find your casting rhythm, increase the quadrant to cast to 11 and then 10 o’clock marks. You will be surprised how many Barramundi you will rise close to the bank.
As the prey fish is sucked into the mouth it is suspended in a large mouthful of water. Striking too quickly, the angler merely pulls the fly from the Barramundi's mouth.
An exception to this is when the Barramundi strikes at a fly which is either on or very close to the surface. The sucking action tends to hook the fish inside the mouth, sometimes in the gill rakers. Surface hooked fish tend to be hooked in the scissors
The Retrieve and Take
There are no absolutes in fly fishing. However, experience often uncovers successful tactics and fly fishing techniques peculiar to certain species and waters.
If the Barramundi are showing on the surface or just subsurface, use a floating line. A fly cast to the sighted fish will frequently result in a take. As the fly strikes the water an aggressive take may occur. If there is no take, gather in line until in contact with the fly. Then make a very slow retrieve of about 12 inches and pause for a few seconds. If nothing happens, repeat the very slow 12 inch retrieve and pause for a few seconds. Takes usually occurs during the pause. The very slow retrieve cannot be too slow. Remember, that after every retrieve and pause, the fly will be fishing deeper in the water. Try and visualize the position / depth of fly in the water after each retrieve. When a take comes - you will learn the present feeding depth of the Barramundi. When fly fishing for Barramundi, remember the Barramundi may sometimes follow the fly to the point you are about to lift the line from the water and backcast. Many Barramundi are lost at this point.
The Barramundi sometimes takes the fly in a very aggressive “snatch”. The weight of the fish is felt immediately (often hooking itself) as the rod is raised into the vertical position to tighten into the fish and set the hook.
Sometimes, one feels an initial small tug on the line as the Barramundi draws the fly into it’s mouth by suction. The fly is suspended in a swirl of water. To tighten into the fish now will merely pull the fly from the Barramundi’s mouth. Wait until the Barramundi turns and it’s weight is felt before tightening to set the hook. Setting the hook with Barramundi is similar to Salmon fishing. Trout fly fishers often have to adjust their timing when tightening into a Barramundi.
If the Barramundi are not showing, a good tactic is to start fly fishing with a full intermediate line. This allows the taking depth to be determined quite quickly. For example if takes come quickly after the fly hits the water, it may be assumed the Barramundi are feeding close to the surface. By following the same retrieve and casting pattern as explained above, the feeding Barramundi can be located.
Barramundi feed at all depths, including “on the bottom”. If no takes are forthcoming from the intermediate line a change to a heavy (say 400 grain) fast sinking density compensated line is in order. Tie on a very short leader, approx. 18 inches. Tie a small popper onto the leader. This is not as crazy as it sounds. The line will sink to the bottom of the pond, taking the popper with it.
When the line settles, the popper will be suspended about 12 inches from the bottom of the pond. This keeps the fly clear of debris on the bottom. The retrieve is again very slow 6 inch draws with a longer pause. Visualize the popper being drawn close to the bottom of the pond during the slow retrieve and floating up during the pause. This fishing method attracts very aggressive takes, the Barramundi inevitably hooking itself.
Playing and Landing the Hooked Barramundi
Hooking the Barramundi is just the beginning. The Barramundi is a clever and cunning adversary. It’s head thrashing leaps to throw the hook are a small part of the fight. It’s primary tactic is to draw the line over it’s razor sharp gill plates and so cutting the line. The Barramundi will make sudden sharp turns in the water to this end. Barramundi also have the common habit of making hard and fast runs towards obstacles. It is when running towards snags that the Barramundi will surprise the angler (who is concentrating on holding the run) by suddenly turning through 180 degrees, slicing through the line as it does so. The best way to deal with this is to use a wire tippet as a shock leader. Those fishing to IGFA tippet regulations may often find the 12 inch shock leader too short. A good 18 to 20 inches will provide a safe margin. To protect the line from being sliced, a useful tactic is to keep the rod tip as high as possible. This keeps the line angled upwards from the Barramundi’s mouth and away from the gill plates. However, the further the fish is from the angler the lesser this angle becomes - bringing the line ever closer to the dangerous gill plates.
Read the story behind this big Barramundi. Visit -
Most Barramundi are lost through a failure to play the fish to a natural conclusion. That is, until it lies on it’s side on the surface of the water ready to be drawn over the net and lifted from the water. This sounds elementary but large numbers of anglers fail to play the fish correctly. There appears to be a general desire to “fight” the fish with a hand clamped tightly to the fly reel (usually an expensive fly reel with a high quality drag) preventing the fish from running. The rod is bent double and the lively fish comes ever nearer to the bank and it’s attendant snags. Playing a fish, especially a robust fighter such as the Barramundi, takes skill and patience. Allow the Barramundi to run against the drag on the reel. Let the Barramundi tire itself out in deep water while running against the reel’s drag. A useful tip - as the Barramundi tires, reduce the drag setting on the reel. Even when it appears the “game is up” and the Barramundi is on it’s side, take care when drawing it towards the net - there is almost always one last dash to freedom.
THE PRIZE, GUIDE WITH A 20 LB BARRAMUNDI
COME AND FLY FISH FOR BARRAMUNDI WITH US
1 Day Fly Fishing For Barramundi
2 Day Barramundi Fly Fishing Trip