Fishing in Darwin is a world class angling experience.
The tropical north of Australia has some of the world's best saltwater sport fishing in a wild and pristine wilderness habitat with a multitude of wildlife, bird and fish species. The pollution free, warm tropical waters and minimum commercial fishing pressure provide for very diverse and productive fishing.
Darwin is Australia's most notherly town and today she has evolved into a sophisticated but still character full tropical capitol populated with over 100 000 population. The town is located on a little cape encircled by the enormous area of Darwin harbor and a number of attractive ocean beaches and reefs.
Seasons
There are a couple of optimal times of the year to be fishing in Darwin the north of Australia The "build up" is late September to the end of December and at this time we see increasing air and seatemperatures and rising humidity as we build up to the onset of the tropical monsoon season This excites the fish into compulsive feeding as we approach the monsoon season. The "run off" period which will often be at the end of March, give or take a month. The monsoon season rains run off the flooded plains into the rivers and estuaries and the barramundi and other estuary species go on a feeding fever in the food filled waters.
Estuary Fishing
The prime months of year to be barramundi fishing and fishing for other estuary species around Darwin and the Top End is March to May and early October to December. Barramundi are routinely found in the murkier waters of estuaries any where over Kimberley, Top End and North Queensland. They're going to travel between salt and freshwater and will normally be found close to submerged structure like overhangs, timber and rocks. Common catches are generally around 50-70cm but monsters over 1 meter are not uncommon.
The Top End coastal region is in general quite flat and consequently the estuaries that snake across these flooded plains are slow and winding. Over the wet season the streams break their banks and spread over the flood flats. As the waters recede after the wet, many pools and inland waterways are made and become full of freshwater. These are home to Barramundi, Saratoga and Threadfin Salmon.
Reef Fishing
In and around Darwin and the Top End reef fishing is best from April to around December. There are hundreds of reefs both artificial and in the seas around Darwin. A bunch of wrecks of all types were sunk in and around Darwin coastal regions by severe tropical weather and WW2 air raids. These will produce good catches of the sort after black jewfish as well as golden snapper, cod, trevally and coral trout just just to mention a few. A number of Darwin fishing charters accessing these areas.
Safety
Beware crocodiles!!
Our reptilian mates are everywhere across the northern coast of Australia. We might not see them but be assured they are here watching and waiting. The older ones being bigger than five to six meters long and be quite aggressive. One more very good reason to consider hiring a local fishing guide with the appropriate
knowledge, experience and equipment.
Fishing Lodges
The tropical north of Australia has some of the world's best saltwater sport fishing in a wild and pristine wilderness habitat with a multitude of wildlife, bird and fish species. The pollution free, warm tropical waters and minimum commercial fishing pressure provide for very diverse and productive fishing.
Darwin is Australia's most notherly town and today she has evolved into a sophisticated but still character full tropical capitol populated with over 100 000 population. The town is located on a little cape encircled by the enormous area of Darwin harbor and a number of attractive ocean beaches and reefs.
Seasons
There are a couple of optimal times of the year to be fishing in Darwin the north of Australia The "build up" is late September to the end of December and at this time we see increasing air and seatemperatures and rising humidity as we build up to the onset of the tropical monsoon season This excites the fish into compulsive feeding as we approach the monsoon season. The "run off" period which will often be at the end of March, give or take a month. The monsoon season rains run off the flooded plains into the rivers and estuaries and the barramundi and other estuary species go on a feeding fever in the food filled waters.
Estuary Fishing
The prime months of year to be barramundi fishing and fishing for other estuary species around Darwin and the Top End is March to May and early October to December. Barramundi are routinely found in the murkier waters of estuaries any where over Kimberley, Top End and North Queensland. They're going to travel between salt and freshwater and will normally be found close to submerged structure like overhangs, timber and rocks. Common catches are generally around 50-70cm but monsters over 1 meter are not uncommon.
The Top End coastal region is in general quite flat and consequently the estuaries that snake across these flooded plains are slow and winding. Over the wet season the streams break their banks and spread over the flood flats. As the waters recede after the wet, many pools and inland waterways are made and become full of freshwater. These are home to Barramundi, Saratoga and Threadfin Salmon.
Reef Fishing
In and around Darwin and the Top End reef fishing is best from April to around December. There are hundreds of reefs both artificial and in the seas around Darwin. A bunch of wrecks of all types were sunk in and around Darwin coastal regions by severe tropical weather and WW2 air raids. These will produce good catches of the sort after black jewfish as well as golden snapper, cod, trevally and coral trout just just to mention a few. A number of Darwin fishing charters accessing these areas.
Safety
Beware crocodiles!!
Our reptilian mates are everywhere across the northern coast of Australia. We might not see them but be assured they are here watching and waiting. The older ones being bigger than five to six meters long and be quite aggressive. One more very good reason to consider hiring a local fishing guide with the appropriate
knowledge, experience and equipment.
Fishing Lodges
About the Author:
Paul Collery is a fishing fan, and travel writer based in Australia who has fished in numerous locations around the planet. He runs a company called Sports Fishing Adventures that concentrates on all inclusive Barramundi fishing safaris and other fishing holidays to unique and remote locations around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
