Alex's Column 19 February 2026
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
It seems plenty of anglers are biting at the bit in anticipation of hitting the big rivers and getting into some solid runoff fishing.
Many are already getting out there and some good catches have been reported.
A mate of mine fished downriver on the South Alligator last weekend and reckoned there was a massive amount of water coming down the system and flowing from the creeks.
He’s a top fisho and worked hard to catch two barra around 70cm each.
To get the full lowdown on the Alligator rivers, I spoke with old mate Andy Ralph who lives with his family at Hunter’s Camp Outstation in Kakadu.
Andy reckoned that, while all the recent talk has (rightly) been about the massive amounts of flood water coming down the Daly River; the Kakadu Wet has been quietly going about her business with 1’111mm rain falling to mid-February.
“What sets this season apart is consistency,“ Andy said.
“There have been no huge daily totals; in fact, 58mm on 12 October is the biggest single rain event so far.
“Compared to last year, it’s been slow and steady, and bang on the BoM average for Jabiru.
“In contrast, January 2025 was a shocker with barely 200mm rainfall for the entire month, but then followed up with whopping totals in February and March which is just what you don’t want… if you’re a baitfish.
“If I’ve learnt anything in my 40 years fishing in Kakadu, it’s that the floodplains of the Alligator rivers rely on early and regular rainfall for baitfish development.
“Last season proved that with what appeared to be a bumper Runoff when the floodplains drained in April, but then with few barra caught and a near complete absence of baitfish,” Andy explained.
I personally can vouch for that.
I did several trips to the South Alligator and, although we boated a few nice barra, the absence of baitfish was noticeable, with the annual migration of the mullet schools upstream a non-event.
Andy said: “The barometer for Kakadu’s wetlands is the Magela Creek crossing on the Oenpelli Road.
“It’s been hovering around 2m for the past month – a clear sign that the floodplains are full, primed and ready to go. “Another monsoonal burst will top her up nicely and the Alligator rivers will be all set to drain the floodplains along with all their baitfish.
“As for the fishing? Well, that has been just like the wet season so far: slow and steady.
“But soon enough, the rivers will be ready to explode with hungry barra just waiting at every creek mouth, drain or trickle.
“I was also talking with South Alligator Rangers who said everything is pretty much full now with Nourlangie Creek really pumping.
“There haven’t been many big fish caught on the South just yet, but it’s early days.
“Good news is that the mud-bar covering the boat ramp on the South has moved downstream and launching is now available on all tides,” Andy reported.
“What are fishing well are the culverts and bridges on the Kakadu Highway.
“My daughter Catherine has been hitting them every night and she has caught plenty around 70cm, with lots of local fishos also giving the culverts a crack while waiting for the Runoff.
“However, remember to stay Crocwise… the crocs are just as hungry as the barra and could be anywhere where there’s water,” Andy cautioned.
The big tides this weekend might actually make a trip up the South Alligator river worthwhile, and it might even be dry.
As explained by Andy, launching won’t be a problem, and there’s bound to be lots of places to wet a line where there is good colour.
Up towards the top of the river, there should be plenty of tea-coloured water coming straight off the floodplain and streaming down along the eastern river bank.
You could float down with the flow, or slow the drift with your electric outboard, and flick lures to the bank.
Upriver on the Adelaide could also be an option, and there’s plenty of colour to prospect with both hard-body and soft-plastic lures.
Closer to home, an easy fish in Darwin Harbour arms on these spring tides over the weekend could likely yield a feed of silver barra.
The early afternoon low tides aren’t too shabby for a relaxed fish… and you might even catch a red-tagged Million Dollar Fish.
