Alex's Column 25 April 2025

The weather just keeps on blind-siding us.

The low-pressure system that tracked across the Gulf of Carpentaria, skimmed just north of Nhulunbuy, and drifted west along the Arnhem Land coast, is now forecast to edge close to Darwin over the weekend.

At every stage, this system—labelled 30U by the Bureau of Meteorology—has threatened to stir up trouble without ever intensifying into a cyclone. Still, it’s packing plenty of moisture and could dump another motherload of rain across the Top End.

For most of us, it feels like we’ve copped enough rain this wet season to last a while.

It’s high time we were easing into some decent dry season conditions: mild mornings, light winds, and steady barometers.

That’s certainly the hope among organisers of the big barra tournaments, who are crossing fingers that the skies stay clear and the rivers start behaving.

The first cab off the rank is the NT Barra Nationals, which kicks off this Friday 25 April, down at the iconic Daly River and wraps up on Friday 2 May.

There should still be some Runoff fishing action about, although the super-sized spring tides during the comp mean any trolling efforts will likely be concentrated well upriver where there’s more stable water movement.

The Nationals are hosted by the Palmerston Game Fishing Club, with the Banyan Farm Tourist Park once again playing host to teams from across the Territory and beyond.

It’s one of the Top End’s most social and competitive tournaments, renowned for big fish, big yarns and big characters.

Next up is the legendary NT Barra Classic, also held on the Daly River, running from Tuesday 6 May to Monday 12 May.

Slotted in between is the shorter—but no less intense—Barra Classic Masters, a three-day competition held from 7–9 May.

Both of these events are presented by the Darwin Game Fishing Club, with Banyan Farm again serving as home base.

One thing’s for sure: forward-facing sonar will dominate proceedings

Live sonar technology, particularly with Lowrance/Simrad Active Target, has well and truly cemented its place in serious barra fishing.

Just about every boat in the comps will be running some form of live imaging, giving teams the upper hand in locating and tempting shy post-Runoff barra.

Elsewhere in the Top End, the East Alligator River finally became accessible this week as Magela Creek dropped to 0.8m.

That was enough for a steady convoy of vehicles to cross and push in for a fish.

With Cahill’s Crossing still flowing hard at over a metre high, that nasty rockbar a few kilometres downstream will stay submerged and out of trouble for now.

Over at the South Alligator, results have been patchy, but the good news is that the notorious mudbar at the ramp is no longer a hindrance.

With bigger tides on the way, it could be worth a crack further up the river, especially early in the morning or late arvo when the barra often feed.

At Shady Camp, today presents the ideal window to wet a line.

Minimal tidal movement and decent water clarity mean the conditions are right, particularly around the barrage or downstream if you can find a good colour change.

I took a drive down the Arnhem Highway on Easter Sunday with a mate and three excitable dogs, en route to Corroboree Park Tavern for lunch.

We passed the Adelaide River boat ramp and the carpark was absolutely chock-a-block with 4WDs and trailers.

Interestingly, on the way back around 3pm, half the vehicles were already gone or heading out.

To me, that signalled the fishing had been tough going.

Looking further afield, there’s good news out west.

The Victoria River has been fishing well, and just in time for another iconic competition—the Big Horse Creek Barra Classic—scheduled for 3–4 May.

This will be the 37th running of the event, hosted by the Katherine Game Fishing Club out of Timber Creek.

Unlike the invite-only Daly River events, the Big Horse comp is open to all comers.

Whether you’re a seasoned tournament angler or just keen for a crack, it’s a great way to get involved in one of the Territory’s most laid-back yet competitive barra fishing comps.

If you’re keen, just jump online and search for the entry form.

Rob Cooper caught this splendid juvenile Queensland groper whilst barra fishing at the Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge.

Jeff Dawson caught plenty in the recent Top End Barra Series Daly River round, coming second in the Old School category.