Our editors at Finn’s Fishing Tips independently research, test, and recommend the best products to help you make purchase decisions. You can learn more about our review process here. We sometimes get a commission through purchases made via our links.
The Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is in the Laridae family and is a species of catadromous fish. Barramundi (also known as Asian Sea Bess) can be found in the Indo-West Pacific region from Northern Australia to Papua New Guinea and South Asia. Now that we know a little more about this sought-after fish, what are the best lures for Barramundi?
Glad you asked! In this article, we’ll cover our top choices for the best lures for Barramundi.
Let’s get started.
Top 5 Best Lures for Barramundi
1. Peetz’ CJ Special 3.5 inch Needlefish Spoon
This is an excellent lure for targeting Barramundi. Each lure is expertly hand-crafted from premium quality materials. Cast in corrosion-resistant aluminum with a perfectly balanced isometric design offers a unique swimming action that fish can’t resist.
The Peetz’ CJ Special’ 3.5-inch Needlefish Spoon weighs in at 0.45oz (13g), has a length of 3.5 inches, and is a high-performance fishing tackle. It offers a twist in the tail that allows the lure to imitate baitfish and is extremely effective for targeting numerous predatory fish types. This lure is extremely versatile and can be used for fresh and saltwater fishing (like for mackerel).
The Peetz’ CJ Special’ 3.5-inch Needlefish Spoon offers additional white powder coating protection and is offered in ten irresistible colors.
2. Ecooda Hornet Saltwater Fishing Lure
The Ecooda Hornet Saltwater Fishing Lure is a topwater, floating pencil lure that has been designed to attract super fish in blue water. Anglers can use it for off-shore trolling and target Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, Marlin, Mackerel, and Kingfish. This lure is heavy-duty and can withstand more than 100 kg pull strength.
This is due to a Conjoined Welding Wire and high strength ABS material. The Ecooda Hornet Saltwater Fishing Lure offers a natural and stable fishing action, is flexible and easy to control. Swings with a left to right motion when pulled. This quality lure has a length of 7 inches (18 cm) and has a weight of 2.9 oz (82 g).
3. Peetz’ CJ’ Special Derby Winner Needlefish Spoon
Another special lure from Peetz and is available in a six-pack. It is offered in the attractive ‘Derby winner’ color and is expertly hand-crafted. The Peetz ‘CJ’ Special Derby Winner Spoon offers a perfectly balanced isometric design, with a specific twist and bend, in the tail.
It features a one-of-a-kind swimming action that perfectly imitates baitfish. It also has the ability to roll in one direction and then reverse and roll in the opposite direction. The Peetz’ CJ’ Special Derby Winner Spoon is made from high-gauge powder-coated aluminum and comes rigged with quality welded rings and 6/0 Ultrapoint Mustad hooks. This quality lure weighs in at 13 g and has a length of 3.5 inches.
4. Sea Striker SE300-1 Casting Spoon
The Sea Striker SE300-1 Casting Spoon is extremely effective for targeting Barramundi. It is a casting spoon and is offered in a multi-color combination. It weighs in at 3.2 oz and comes rigged with a super sharp 5/0 hook. The 5/0 hook weighs 1 oz and includes a bucktail.
5. South Bend Kastaway Trophy Pack
Last on our list of te best lures for Barramundi is the South Bend Kastaway Trophy Pack. The South Bend Kastaway Trophy Pack should be a staple in all tackleboxes. They work wonders for Barramundi but are also great for cutthroat trout and freshwater bass.
Best Bait for Barramundi
Anglers can successfully catch Barramundi using live bait. It is an effective way to target these fish because you can get a stressed and injured fish directly into the strike zone. When targeting Barramundi with live bait, the best option is Mullet. Mullet are extremely hardy fish and, when hooked, will stay alive for a long time.
Author Note: When throwing a cast net for Mullet, you may also catch Prawn and Herring. If this is the case, try all three types of bait to get a Barramundi. Note that Prawn and Herring come off the hook quite easily and don’t live as long as Mullet.
What Are Barramundi?
The Barramundi has a mid-sized elongated body, a slightly curved mouth, and an upper jaw that extends beyond the eye. The ventral and dorsal fins are covered in ctenoid spines and soft rays, while the pelvic and pectoral fins only sport soft rays. The caudal fins are rounded and truncated and are covered with soft rays. Barramundi are considered fresh and saltwater trophy fish.
They have beautiful large silver scales and depending on their environment. They can become darker or lighter. The average length of Barramundi is around 1-1.5 m (2-4 ft), although some have been known to grow up to 1.8m (6 ft). Their weight can reach up to 60 kg.
The Barramundi inhabits rivers, lagoons, estuaries, and coastal waters. They don’t undertake extensive migrations within river systems. They prefer turbid to clear water, with temperatures ranging from 26-30 degrees. Juvenile Barramundi feeds on zooplankton, while mature Barramundi feed on small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. They have been known to eat their own species.
Males migrate downriver to meet females when the monsoon starts. The female Barramundi has the ability to lay a large number of eggs, several million each. They lay their eggs in brackish (dirty) water and are not guarded by the adults. Barramundi are hermaphroditic, and individuals mature as males and become female after one spawning season.
How to Catch Barramundi
The best time to target Barramundi is when the tide is either going or coming in. At this time, the Barramundi are forced into tidal flats. If you are targeting these fish in freshwater, look out for structure, coves, and rocky outcrops. If you can identify any drop-offs, these are also great spots to fish.
Tidal flats or estuaries normally house smaller males and larger females. Barramundi are most active in the early morning and in the late afternoon. The most common fishing method is with hard-body lures with a slow retrieval while gently jerking or twitching your bait. Rattling lures, shads, and minnows are effective. A baitcasting setting with a 12-30 lb braid should do the job for you. Other methods include trolling deep diving minnow and live bait rigs.
Can You Eat Barramundi?
Barramundi offers a desirable taste, quality culinary properties but is also a healthy source of Omega-3. Omega-3 is extremely good for your heart. Barramundi is a hardy species and, when farmed, don’t require any hormones or antibiotics. The Barramundi isn’t showing any signs of being endangered or overfished.
How Does Barramundi Meat Taste?
Barramundi can be described as mild-tasting fish with a succulent and meaty texture. Barramundi that has been ocean-farmed offers a clean and buttery flavor with delicate skin and becomes crispy when cooked.
Tasty Barramundi Recipes
Baked Barramundi with White Wine and Capers
- 2 x Barramundi fillets, skinless
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1 x tablespoon capers
- 2 x tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 x tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 x cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 x lemon wedges
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Place Barramundi fillets in a medium-sized baking dish
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine pepper, salt, capers, lemon juice, melted butter, and wine.
- Pour the sauce over the Barramundi fillets
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until the flesh is bright white and easily flakes with a fork
- Drizzle remaining pan sauce over the cooked fillets, add lemon wedges and serve.
Barramundi with Crispy Skin and Asparagus
- 4 x Barramundi Fillets
- 1 x 20g Capers
- 1 x egg
- 200ml extra virgin olive oil
- 200g fresh garden peas
- 200g cannelloni beans
- 100g green beans
- 4 x cloves of garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 x bunch asparagus
- 1 x lemon, to garnish
- 1 x bunch chervil, to garnish
Directions
- Bring a large skillet to a medium heat
- Season fillets with salt and pepper.
- Add 50 ml extra virgin olive oil to the skillet
- Cook fillets on the skin side until it’s almost cooked through
- Turn fish over and cook until it’s almost cooked through
Summer Vegetables
- Set up a large bowl filled with ice water, add a pinch of salt
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil and add a pinch of salt
- Place asparagus, beans, and peas into the boiling water for 2 minutes
- Place asparagus, beans, and peas directly into ice water when cooked drain after 5 minutes
White Bean Puree
- Cover cannelloni beans in water and soak overnight (you must do this the night before)
- Boil cannelloni until al dente, drain and remove from pot
- Add 50 ml extra virgin olive oil and garlic to the pot and cook until golden
- Add 100 ml of fresh water and beans to the ice water
- Season with puree and salt
Pistou
- Chop capers and parsley and place in a small mixing bowl
- Hard boil the egg
- Add 100ml extra virgin olive oil to grated egg white and season with pepper and salt
Place the Barramundi fillets onto serving plates, crispy skin side up. Cover with bean puree. Serve will chervil, lemon wedges, and pistou, alongside summer vegetables.
Conclusion
Barramundi are great catching, sought-after sportfish found in rivers, estuaries, and in the ocean. They aren’t endangered, and the populations are looking healthy. Anglers can catch Barramundi using spoons, hard-body lures, and live bait. Mullet are the best live bait to target Barramundi.
The best time to fish for Barramundi is early in the morning and late afternoon. Barramundi are good eating fish, and the flesh is quite versatile. Their taste can be described as mild with a meaty texture. We hope you enjoyed this article on the best lures for Barramundi.
Happy Hunting!
